Parent Information Evening

It was scheduled at 7pm and the school went through the introduction of all of its staff and their roles, the curriculum, school charter and its history. It was a good introduction for a new parent in the school and it really helped answer all the questions that has been looming in my end. By 8pm, the teachers made themselves available in their classroom so parents can have a achat with them. There was this Mom who asked about what the kids do throughout the day and the new entrant/ year 1 teachers were more than happy to provide a detailed answer. They shared with us some of their teaching techniques and how they handle the varying abilities of the students. I found it too detailed that I really just wanted to know more about how my son was doing in school. Fortunately his teacher was able to provide me with enough details that made me feel satisfied and confident knowing that he's in very good hands. I found myself walking back home at around 9pm.

I think this is a big bonus in Marist. They do provide all relevant information to the parents early on and continuously encourage parent engagement and feedback to them. Their techniques in classroom teaching is no longer about drills, worksheets and memorization. It's more about practical applications, engagement and collaborating with peers, self-thinking and responsibility to oneself. For a 5 year old, it's not Mom's fault that the student forgot his hat, it's the student's fault. And they keep telling us that we don't need to rush back home if they forgot to bring their sports gear. It's so that they'd learn. And with literacy, there is always the next day for the student to practice and figure out how to go about their writing, reading or math.

It's definitely a big jump from the very spectator type of teaching that I grew up in. And based from what I gathered, i think the year has no thing to do with skill level or capabilities. Instead, it's just an age bracketing which probably makes sense for the primary years.

Kayaks and Bikes on the Trailer in the Carpark - who owns these?

This was an email sent to the whole office during lunch time today. On my way back from my lunch stroll, I bumped into Sam. She asked me the above question. It was unusual for my colleagues to be bringing this to work and she thought that they may have been stolen. She told me that they were already phoning the police. As we turned our heads, we did see a police mobile unit just across the road. I told her that it may have just arrived. She decided to approach them and ask. I then told her that I'd be heading back.

Looking back, was it impolite for me to leave her there approaching the police. I was concerned with the time as it was already past my lunch break. She, for some reason, has just stepped out maybe to get lunch. She also handles building administration this is why these things (in this case, an unusal parking of a trailer in the office carpark) fall under her wing.

It's these little things. Paano ba dapat lumugar?

Downtime

Tengga na naman but I am not complaining. May mga pagkakataon talaga na magbibilang ka na lang ng oras. At meron naman panahon na nasa bahay ka na or kagigising mo pa lang, sumasagot ka na sa email or tawag ng mga tao. Depende yan sa kung nasaang phase na kami sa project.
Masaya ako kapag ganitong nakakapahinga ako, kasi I use this time to do personal things like doing research on my trade, finding the best deal for items that we've been planning to purchase, and most importantly, reviewing/ figuring out how to make the most of what we have and hopefully, to pay off our remaining debts.

Sabi nga ng kaibigan kong PM/BA na nagtatrabaho sa isang NGO, dito lang sa malapit sa opisina namin, kaya nga lumipat ka dito sa NZ kasi ayaw mo nang mangarag sa trabaho. Actually, hindi ko naman alam na ganito ka-laid back ang trabaho dito. Kailangan talagang makipagay ka at sabayan mo lang ang pacing nila. Otherwise, they'd get stressed and will complain kasi di nila kayang sabayan ang effort mo. I think dahil sa Pinas na ako tumanda, it does take a lot of effort to de-couple old habits. Basta conscious ka lang sa culture sa workplace, I think you're going to be fine.

Milestone today: Jogging during lunch

I finally had the guts to put on my running clothes and sample the route that I surveyed last week at the Domain. I'm definitely out of shape coz it only took 10 minutes for me to start panting. I had to walk every now and then. It's sunny and the heat (at 23C) was a bit too much for me. Maybe I need to get used to it but I don't know how without putting myself at risk of having another migraine. So there I was panting, getting distracted with the trees, and the relaxing feeling whenever I go for a stroll there. I'm quite pleased to be this close to the Domain. My entire work life was often situated in commercial areas, where a building sits next to another building. And where the only sign of nature are the potted plants or the "fake" trees that were planted in commercial spaces just so it would look nice. Here you know that the trees has been around for a while and that buildings were erected around it. I actually enjoy taking walks around the neighborhood, or all the way to the Domain during lunch break as it helps me clear my thoughts and pump some blood into my system. Can't help but feel grateful for having this as a daily experience.

http://walksinauckland.com/auckland-domain-museum/