National Standards

National Standards Website

Professional Development

The first introductory National Standards webinar has been held and is available now online as a recording.

The following link will take you to a macromedia breeze streaming presentation: http://www.v6.breezeserver.co.nz/p58427400/

You can download the Powerpoint used in this presentation:

National Standards Powerpoint presentation (PowerPoint, 3 MB)

Happy Diwali 2009

Wishing all a blessed Diwali - love, light and laughter always.

Langada News

See the Link List alongside for Langada News >>>
I wish to congratulate my cousins Vasu & Pam for the launch of an informative and enlightening newsletter. It is an awesome idea which has brought back some beautiful memories as well as feelings of nostalgia. I really loved it. Langada News is a wonderful diary or journal for us (The Thaver Family), our children and our children's children.


Letter from the editor: 8 October 2009
Good Morning to all,
Attached is the 1st edition of the Langada News. It’s a paper by us, for us, the descendents of Maduray & Minatchi Thaver. I humbly ask that you all be proactive in its future success and sustainability, and that each one of us contribute in some small way, so that it may bring a little nostalgia, a little smile, a little appreciation, a little thankfulness that we come from such a grand dynasty. Granted, everyone has their faults, and our family is no different, but we should rather appreciate the good things about our family and be thankful about that. Our parents, grandparents and pioneering fore-fathers endured a lot of hardships, turmoil and pain so that we may be successful and prosperous. Our parents have fostered unity in all of us, and we have to feed that unity they have fostered by our love for each other, by being open and honest with each other, and learning from the good and the bad from our heritage. Please send your comments to me on this e-mail or my private e-mail at vasudevan.devar@gmail.com or Pam Jagesar at pamjagesar@live.com. To the family in KZN, please print and distribute to the rest of the family. We need constructive comments so that we may provide a better service in future. Your proactive contribution is vital to the continued success of this initiative.


Regards
Vasudevan Devar

52 Character Building Thoughts for Children

By Leah Davies, M.Ed. The following quotes may be used in a variety of ways by both teachers and counsellors. One idea is for a thought to be posted, read, and discussed at the beginning of each week. It could then be read daily with the students. At the end of the week ask them what they learned or how the thought applied to their lives or activities during the week. Have the children give written or oral examples, or have them draw a picture to illustrate their ideas. How I look is not as important as how I act. I treat others the way I want them to treat me. I am a good sport; I follow the rules, take turns and play fair. It is okay to laugh at funny things, but not to laugh at others. I do not gossip; if I cannot say anything helpful, I do not say anything at all. When I am sad, I help myself feel better by thinking of things that are good in my life. In order to have friends, I must act in a kind way. I believe that I am someone who can do important things. What I say and how I say it tells others the kind of person I am. I appreciate my family, my teachers, and my school. I treat everyone with respect. When I listen, I show others that I care about them. I am being a good citizen when I volunteer to help others. I think for myself and make smart choices that are good for me. Each day offers a new start to do my best. I try to understand what my friends are feeling. Everyone makes mistakes, so instead of getting angry with myself, I try to do better. I do not give up; I keep trying until I can do my work. Sharing with others makes me feel good and makes them feel good too. I work out my problems without hurting myself or others. I am being polite when I wait for my turn and say please and thank you. When I smile at people, they usually smile back. I encourage my friends to do their best. My values guide me to do what is right. I am honest; I do not cheat or steal. When I am angry, I use self-control and do not hurt others. I am being creative when I dance, draw, paint or write a poem or story. I say, "No!" to things that could hurt my body like tobacco and alcohol. When I do what I say I will do, I am being responsible. I am grateful for what I have, so I share with others. I try to learn something new each day. When things do not go my way, I stop and think of what I can do to make them better. I do not make fun of other children because I don't know what their life is like. I feel successful when I do my best. Everyone has good and bad feelings. I take care of myself by eating healthy food, exercising and getting enough rest. I am being punctual when I am on time and do not keep people waiting. When I cooperate with others, I get more done. I follow the rules and try to make my school a better place. I like to get to know children who are different from me. Since I tell the truth, my friends trust me. I look for what is good in others and I say what I like about them. I buy only what I need and I save my money. When I use my time wisely, there is usually enough time to do what I want to do. I think before I act; how I act affects how others treat me. Using manners helps me keep my friends. I have courage to stand up for children who are teased. Before I do something, I ask myself, "Is it safe?" I am me -- I do not try to be like someone else. I care about living things on earth so I recycle and do not litter. When I write down what I think and feel, I learn about myself. I plan ahead and think about what I want to do when I grow up.   For more ideas, see our archived article, Encouraging Thoughts.

Teacher's Farewell Message

11 September 2009
Dear Principal, Board of Trustees, Staff, Students & Parents of Kelvin Road School:
The day has finally arrived...my journey at Kelvin Road School has come to an end.
In my 20 years of teaching this has been only my 2nd school and I would be happy to have stayed here forever! However, there is another exciting challenge awaiting me, so I am off...following my heart. This feels right, like it did when I left South Africa 7 and a half years ago.
I can't THANK YOU all enough for your help and friendship throughout my stay at our cool school. I have learned heaps and Kelvin Road School will be forever engraved in my heart.
If I said or did anything to hurt or upset you, kindly forgive me. I hope that you will remember me with a smile :) All the best.
I am sure that my Cool Kids will continue with their awesome work and I know that they will keep in touch via Gmail, Twitter and Blogger. Remember your "Wish Upon a Star". You CAN achieve your goals and dreams if you work hard, and "Be the BEST that you can be!" Reach for the Stars!!

Love always,
Kree Raman Room 8 Teacher Mobile: 0272967094 Skype: kreeraman Twitter: kreescoolkids Youtube: kree12
Gmail: kree4sai@gmail.com Class Blog: http://mrsramanscoolkids.blogspot.com/

WorldSkills - New Zealand

In the next two weeks a number of young New Zealanders are going to be competing at Calgary in an effort to be recognised as the best in the world at their work skills. There are youth from many different trades competing in their individual areas. Last international competition New Zealanders did the best they have ever done. If you would like to send a message of support the address is toolblacks09@yahoo.co.nz . If you would like to receive daily “official” video clips you can register at http://wsc2009.worldskills.tv/register/  .

www.worldskills.org.nz

WorldSkills New Zealand's mission is to challenge New Zealand to achieve world-class standards by demonstrating excellence through workplace skills competitions for young people.

This has been sent to you recognising that you have an interest in challenging young people to do well and then better. Have a great day.

Train Trip 17 August 2009

Book of Daily Thoughts and Prayers

August Sixteenth
God has given us life that we may express joyousness of heart.

My soul is happy with an inexpressible joy since I saw His smiling face turned toward me. I can never forget that radiant smile; wherever I go it haunts me by day and it haunts me by night. When in grim despair of life, it brightens my path with hope and love.

No man can attain his goal without practising the higher principals of life. No man can be truly happy who is selfish. What possible use is outer light if there is darkness inside? Happiness is a quality of the soul. It enters the soul which has tasted God-consciousness. God is ever cheerful. Life is given us to work out our freedom and lasting happiness.

O Thou Giver of all joy, may I not be unworthy of Thy gifts,
But may I radiate happiness and cheer in every hour of my daily life.
Help me to realize that when I am sad, it is because I am separated from Thee. All my sadness and sorrow will vanish when I seek Thee with open heart.

Source:
Book of Daily Thoughts and Prayers
Swami Paramananda
Page 255

Job of my Dreams

Through the Grace of God, the power of Ekadashi and the practice of The Secret, I have been successful in getting the teaching job of my dreams. On Saturday 25th July, I had an interview at a state-of-the-art school, Mission Heights Primary situated at 103 Jeffs Road, Flatbush, Auckland.

This is the link to the TV 1 footage on Close Up which went on air on August 6th.

My resignation date is September 11th but I am still waiting for a teacher to be appointed for my position at Kelvin Road School.

A big THANK YOU to all who had faith in me getting this job, those who prayed for me and those who provided written, verbal or video recommendations. There are too many people to name but God bless you all.

Good things happen to those who pray.

Faith always,

Kree

STS-127 Answers Room 8's question from Space

Mrs Raman is so proud of you'll Joseph, Shar, Te Kawehau and Taylah for taking our name into SPACE.

What an achievement for Room 8, Kelvin Road School and Mrs Raman.

It is wonderful to see that all our hard work has paid off.

I hope that  you all will grow from strength to strength in your 'endeavours' - just like the name of the sts-127 space-shuttle.

Well done my Coolkids!

Proud teacher,

Mrs Kree Raman

Kree witnesses a gorgeous morning Sky - 20 July 2009

At 7am, I opened my front-door to give salutations to the Sun but I saw the Moon instead, breath-taking! How strange - the Sun and Moon so close to each other? Is this normal?

Then as I was leaving home for school at 7:45am (running late today) I saw a gorgeous rainbow from my garage-door. What a lovely way to start Term 3 after a wonderful 2 week break?

Reach for the STARS!

Global Gateway Connection

Coolkids showing off their E-pal letters which arrived all the way from Navrachana School, Gujarat, India.

We are looking forward to emailing our friends in India and working on projects together.

Thank you Navrachana School and Mrs Krishnammal for the beautiful letters we received in the post today.

Every task should be for the good of many...

"I plead with them with all my might. But they would not leave their accustomed ways of darkness and of shadow, the enemies of life. Oh unhappy fate that leads the weary travellers from light to dark.

There is not a moment in your life when you cannot render service and set an example. Every one of us can bring something to this world everyday. We can sound a note that will resound rhythm and harmony. When we cultivate our inner sense of values, we cease to be fretful, we cease to complain and we always have something to give. If we give with wholeness of heart, we shall be able to remove mountains of obstacles and difficulties; and all our struggles which arise from our imperfections and which make our life so full of suffering, will vanish as night before the day. That is the higher ideal of life - oneness in faith, oneness in hope and oneness in cheer.

May the Infinite Being protect me from selfishness and narrowness of vision. May He enlarge my heart and expand my love until it embraces all His children. May I never be impatient or weary in his service, But may I feel at peace in my own heart and bring peace to other hearts."

From The Book of daily Thoughts and Prayers
By Swami Paramananda
Page: 209

Posted  by Kree Raman Vandayar
Primary School Teacher, New Zealand
To foster World Peace...LOVE ALL, SERVE ALL
HELP EVER, HURT NEVER

Kree's Tribute to Michael Jackson (1958 - 2009)

It was with great sadness on Friday the 26th June, in my school staffroom, that I learned of the passing away of my beloved pop-star, Michael Jackson. Michael passed away on June 25th at the age of 50 years, from an unexpected cardiac-related death.

Michael, you're gone too soon! There was and will be NO OTHER like YOU. You were superhuman, my angel, my GOD. You transcend death - you are IMMORTAL. Only the blessed ones of this lifetime were able to know you, love you and believe in you. What a loss to the rest of the world. Who cares about what people say or think? They did the same with Jesus Christ, Sathya Sai Baba and many Avatars of our world. I hope you never doubted the love of your true fans.

Michael, your death has left a hole in my heart, but I know that your music and your unselfish love for humanity will fill that hole and will heal me and all who mourn for you. I must admit, now that you have transcended into Spirit and Soul, I feel SO CLOSE to you.

Michael, please watch over our Earth...let your death cleanse the world of all hate, greed, wars, racism, poverty, crime, etc. May your love Heal the World and save our beautiful Earth. I am sure Heaven is now complete with you there Michael.

Michael, I shall love you for always, my SuperHero.

Your loyal fan,

Kree Raman Vandayar

9 years Vegetarian

On 25th June 2009, I celebrated my 9th anniversary of being a vegetarian...all through the Grace of my beloved Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. My Sai I pray that you will shower Your Grace to more people so that they may experience the bliss I do.