Networking- Focusing on Te Reo

Yesterday we had our third Networking meeting.  This time the meeting was held at Mairehau Kids First Kindy. These meetings came about because I saw a need to connect with the preschools in our area as a new school in the area.  I approached about 6 or so preschools initially in the area to see if they were keen to get together with like minded people who have an ultimate common goal ( to prepare the children in their care in the best possible way to be school ready)  to share ideas and meet each other.  I felt it was important to have a focus for each the meeting as I am concious of the fact that people's time is precious and I want to make sure they feel that they are getting something out of sharing this time together.
This time we had a focus in how we are using Te Reo in our learning spaces and it was an opportunity to share ideas and take these back to our respective centers or classroom.  Our session begun with a Kakarkia and a reintroduction of ourselves as we had 2 more centers represented thsi meeting which was fabulous.  It was a great sharing session of different ways in which we can use Te Reo and intergtrate it naturally into our day at school or preschool.  We discussed some of the more delierate ways to use this and these included whanau trees taht the children take home adn do together as a family, mihimihi's for teachers and children alike and reading books and singing songs in Te Reo.  These were just a few of the many fabulous things that were shared mong the 16 or so teachers that were present yesterday.
This was, I believe, another successful meeting with the teachers.  This is evident in the fact that they all want to meet again next term.  Next term we will have a continued focus on Te Reo and I will think about another suitable topic for Term 2.
Upon reflection- I thnk I need to widen the net with the preschools in the area as I have noticed that Rutland Street Kindy for example and Fundamentals have fed a few of our children through to us recently.  I am happy with the momentum this is gaining and it is obvious to see that the relaxed enviomnent is inviting and I am getting as much out of these meetings as the preschool teachers seem to be too.