This has been a busy but positive start to the year. As a department the main changes are in personal. Paul Ellwood,  while still offering back up, is part time now and focusing on teaching Te Reo. In his place we have Claire Laverty back with us this year. Claire is part time and enjoying getting back into the classroom after time at home with her family.

Her expertise in statistics and experience in assessment writing strengthens our lineup. The photo above is her class putting our supply of quite experienced text books to use in a measurement task early this term.

Teaching statistics was not what drew me to the role of teaching. I began as an algebra enthusiast if I am honest. That enthusiasm has not waned. How could it? I find my current role teaching statistics a satisfying business. It gives the chance to look at various data sets that hold a relevance to our lives.

Things I have learnt teaching stats in the last couple of weeks.

• That only 0.6% of our electricity is generated using solar energy but that is picked to rise to over 10% in the next couple of decades.
• That our percentage of power generation using Coal has increased in the last couple of years.
• That around 75% of our dairy exports are in the form of Milk Powder.

One of our school goals is to see our students develop into lifelong learners. Teaching statistics helps me with that as well.

On a personal level I am grateful for Claire Laverty, Paul Ellwood and Marion Goodwin stepping up and taking a class or two each so I can take a terms refreshment leave for Term 2 this year.