Tena Koutou Somerfield Community!

After last years' brilliant performances, it is great to be back working on some Drama with the students and teachers of Somerfield again.
For those of you who don't know me, I am a Primary trained teacher with 13 years teaching experience. I have a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Art History and I have a background in Dance and Music. After a few years of general classroom teaching, I decided to specialise in the Arts curriculum. I have seen the power of the Arts to motivate and engage all learners and the positive impact it has on students' wellbeing, learning, social skills and confidence. I am passionate about all students having the opportunity to learn through the Arts. Prior to teaching at Somerfield, I taught Dance, Drama and Music at the St Margaret's Junior School for 8 years. I am enjoying being back in a full primary school, the opportunity to share my knowledge with teachers, and being able to bike to work when the sun is out! My daughter is 7yrs old and she goes to Thorrington School and we have a recent new member of the household, 'Annie' a black and white kitten. This years' focus for the Arts at Somerfield is how the Arts can be integrated into the Curriculum. For example: how Drama can inspire writing or how we can explore a NZ history topic through Music and Dance.
This year I am working with one Ropu each term. Term 1 - Kopapa Y3 and Y4 - Term 2 - Mokihi - Y1 and Y2 -Term 3 - Tete - Y5 and Y6 - Term 4 - Kotahi - New Entrants. Each class will spend one session a week with me for half of the term. I hope that your students will enjoy their Drama sessions with me and you hear about what we have been up to at home. Some photos/work will hopefully be shared through the newsletter also so you can see what we have been up to!