Spring Vacation

Spring Vacation is here!

It hasn't taken much to settle into life in a new school and new role. Routines, organisation and predictability are core to any school or classroom environment. Bells ring, attendance is taken, and kindergarteners are very quick to remind you when you have forgotten to do something. However, with so many complex wee humans in one place, they manage to make sure no two days are the same.

The school accommodates children from Kindergarten to Grade 7, equivalent to a full Primary in New Zealand with Years 1-8. Children start school in September of the year they turn 5 - very similar to home.

A few years ago, several schools were closed in the district (as student enrollments were low), and consequently, my school received a significant bump in numbers. As a result, the school has four prefab classrooms which they call 'portables'. These are in addition to the main school building - just imagine every single American movie with an Elementary school in it. It seems that having portables is quite rare. Which is funny, because I can't think of a school I have been to in New Zealand that doesn't have any prefab classrooms!

As an Education Assistant (EA), I am a part of the Learning Support Team. Many of the other EAs in my school are assigned to work with specific children. They have undertaken EA training and have specialised skills in working with children who have particular needs (whether that be learning, behaviour, physical, social-emotional etc.). In this team, there are also learning support teachers who teach small groups of children. There are also a couple of Learning Support Coordinators and a Counsellor who works between our school and another in the district. Children who are on the Learning Support Teams radar also have a case manager assigned to them. In summary, an Army of people! It puts the support we provide in New Zealand for children with higher or specific learning needs to shame.

My role is a littler different to the other Educational Assistants within the school. I don't have the required training or qualifications to work with children who have a diagnosed disability, nor am I responsible for running any particular learning intervention programme. I spend most of my day in a Kindergarten class, supporting the teacher how ever I can. Imagine a lot of correcting pencil grips, fixing letter 'b's to 'd's and helping children negotiate who is going to use the silver crayon next.

The Kindergarten teacher, Mrs B is fantastic. Like all of the New Entrants and Year 1 teachers I know, she is kind, caring and has infinite patience. The children adore her and work hard to impress her. It is an awesome environment; super positive, creative and fun. It's also great not being the only adult in the classroom. Mrs B and I often share a giggle or raised eyebrow. Kids, eh?

Although much of my day feels just like school in New Zealand, there are still a few things that remind me I'm a long way from home.

• We had a lockdown drill. We talked about guns and bullets and practised hiding out of sight of the windows. We treated a school shooting like a real possibility. And it was terrifying.
• There is no such thing as a 'wet lunch'. Everyone goes outside, no matter the weather. Rain, hail, (and snow), shine!
• Children come to school prepared for the weather. They wear jackets and waterproof boots. They have umbrellas. They have 'inside' shoes. And, generally speaking, all of the children can get dressed and ready to go outside, independently.
• I sound very 'New Zealand'. I need to speak clearly and slowly and think about how I say words with an 'e' sound. It's a pencil not pinsil.
• Morning tea is called recess. Maths is math. A rubber is an eraser. A jumper is a sweater. A soft toy is a stuffy. A beanie is a toque. A tissue is a kleenex. A plaster is a bandaid. The list goes on!!

It is safe to say that after a couple of months without "today at school..." stories, Sean is back to hearing these daily.