New Zealand--Principals/ITEP Conference

Friends, you can judge how busy we are by the time it takes to make our blog entries.  Sorry it’s been so long but we are happily serving these very loving and appreciative people here in Tonga!  This blog entry is all about our trip to New Zealand. (daj)

We arrived in Auckland--our van driver took us up to Mt. Eden, the highest place in Auckland--actually as high as the tower landmark you can see in the background--before we were dropped off at the Spencer Hotel.

Sister Johnson, Sister Szoka and our van driver, who was happy to take my pass along card about our Church.

Sitting at dinner with part of our Literacy Team in Auckland.  Spencers at the back left , Budgetts at the back right and Folau Kioa in the front with the Johnsons on both sides of him.  Dessert was fabulous!

NEW ZEALAND PRINCIPALS / ITEP CONFERENCE



Our Goal:  Help 5000+ students in the LDS Pacific Island Schools learn to read better, which will increase their ability to use the English language.

Bruce Yerman, our Pacific Area S&I Director for Church Schools, and Elder and Sister Jacobsen, ITEP coordinators, from the New Zealand Church Area Office, believe the time is right to promote this literacy growth among our students.  Just at the right time there are 3 ITEP missionary couples (one member of each couple) who have had extensive experience in teaching literacy.  Elder and Sister Spencer, working in Samoa, Elder and Sister Budgett, working in Samoa, and Elder and Sister Johnson, working in Tonga were the ITEP missionaries asked to work on this effort.  We had a few telephone conferences where we laid the groundwork of our literacy effort.  Next, they brought us in early to New Zealand Auckland Church Area Office where we finalized our plans and prepared our presentations for the principals.  Bruce Yerman, Elder and Sister Jacobsen, ITEP area coordinators, and Filou Kioa joined with the ITEP missionaries in this effort.  The overview of our plan includes the following:  1) Design every lesson so that every student, individually uses expressive language (writing and speaking) two times.  2) When L1 clarifications are made the student must be asked to restate in L2. 3) Help teachers work for 90% student engagement with their students which will increase academic achievement.  4) Teachers will select and use Tier 2 Vocabulary words.  5) Teachers use direct, explicit, systematic instruction, as evidenced by modeling observable “I Do, We Do, You Do” activities in the lessons. 6) Teachers will have students read orally with emphasis on retelling what they read in their own words.—these are our goals over the next few months. Those of you familiar with teaching children to read will understand, and anyone else who is further interested can ask me for further clarification…

Throughout the conference all the principals were put on trial for the good things they were doing at their schools.  This is Nua, our Middle School principal at Ha'apai, one of the outer island schools.  She was sentenced to eat one very large and yummy chocolate bar in one sitting.

I got my turn to be a judge too.  Aloine, principl at 'Eua received the chocolate bar sentence too.

Listening to President Hamula, Area Authority.

Here are our Literacy Team Buddies--Sister Budgett (her husband is taking the picture), us and the Spencers.

My turn to present--"High Student Engagement" Not a very flattering picture with the remote speaker tucked in and hooked on.

Elder Johnson was recording every time I actively engaged the participants during my presentation--over 30 times! I was pleased with their participation and positive responses!

View of the participants.

My presentations were on Best Practices in Teaching:  “High Student Engagement,” and “Direct, Explicit, Systematic Instruction.”  We all worked very hard and felt that we were well received by the 16 principals, other ITEP missionaries, and other administrators, totaling about 40+ in attendance.  After providing presentations we met with the ITEP missionaries to assist them as they will help in the literacy effort in their areas—Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, and Tonga.

Now we're in a training with other ITEP missionaries--Osbournes (at left, Szokas back right and us)

 

Szokas, our office buddies in Tonga, and Budgetts, Literacy Committee buddies.  

ITEP couples out to dinner at my favorite restaurant--food is always soooo good and beautifully presented.

Whiteheads who labor in Fiji.

Elder Jacobsen, ITEP Area Coordinator has his back to us.  The Rasmussens from Kirabati are at the table on the right.  

We arrived on Wednesday, February 27^th and stayed for 10 days, leaving on March 9^th.  We worked all day and into the evenings and then attended conference each day.  However, we were lucky to have one day, Saturday, March 2^nd for sightseeing, and 2 evenings we were able to do some much needed shopping at the malls in Auckland—we don’t have anything like these on the islands—we’re all “developing countries” with only small stores, shops, produce tables along the roads, fish stands, and the “Fair” which is like a weekly flea market.  That describes our island of Tongatapu.  Many of the other islands have less than we do and things are very expensive because they have to be shipped to the islands.  It was a pleasure to spend time in Auckland shopping for needed items and eating in wonderful restaurants. 




So, the three Literacy Committee couples, drove our assigned van to the Coromandel Peninsula for some sightseeing and exploration on Saturday—our one day for fun!  

 Following are many pictures we took on our P-day Saturday!

Our first stop as we drove around the Coromandel Peninsula.

Same background as picture above--our first stop.

Park/ Playground.

Don't these veggies look good?

Time out for ice cream as we traveled throughout the Coromandel Pininsula of New Zealand

We went on a one hour walk/hike that went along the cliff top before descending to the majestic Cathedral Cove.  It was named for its gigantic arced cavern that passes through a white rock to join two secluded coves.  The cathedral-like arch gives the whole area a feeling of grandeur.

Sitting at the entrance to Cathedral Cove.

Entrance to Cathedral Cove.  This natural structure is very high inside and very beautiful.

After walking through the "Cathedral."

Inside the Cathedral looking out.

And Closer

Looking back to the "Cathedral" that we just walked through.

High cliffs on the other side of the Cathedral.







Back on the entrance side of the Cathedral.

Walking back up the windy and at times, steep trail. 

Monnstrous and Beautiful Tree Ferns

I love the fern trees!

And even the fern shadows!

This is a  drought year for New Zealand--parched fields.

Time for lunch at a quaint restaurant.  The green bottles are filled with cold water--free!

Many wonderful breathtaking sights to share!!!

Pathway to overlook area.

Sight from Overlook Area

We explored Te Puia Hot Water Beach.  When it is low tide you can bathe in a hot pool that you dig yourself.  We were hoping to do this but it was high tide when we were there so we didn’t get to have that experience.  We enjoyed walking along the beach and getting in the water.

Many beaches away from the high population centers are clean, beautiful and seem untouched.  

Here's a surfer, just for our kids who love to surf!

I took a few surfing pictures for our kids who have surfed!  According to the brochure, “The Coromandel’s selection of waves vary in character from playful beach breaks, to a world-class point break.  Whangamata is the country’s best-known east coast surf town, steeped in surfing heritage.”

What a beautiful place!  I love to hear the waves crashing against the shore!

Yes, this is our mission--it does include many fun times too--one day out of 10!