We don't want you to miss out on some great events coming up in and just after the mid-winter break so register before the holidays for:

1. The best conference of the year! NZConnectED on 15 & 16 July (Julia Atkin - Tony Ryan - Graham Watts - Murray Gadd and more!) - you really don't want to miss these two days which will give your school's curriculum, and its classroom implementation, a boost of new strategies, shared ideas and pathways to learn from.

2. The best way to improve the teaching & learning environment in your school! Being an Effective Coach on 22 July with Jan Hill & Kay Hawk

3. The best thing to come out of England since eccles cakes! Auckland, Christchurch and (just added!) Invercargill courses around Leading Learning with the Key Competencies with Graham Watts, plus two Leadership breakfasts based on his UK experience with National Standards ..... definitely food for thought.

As a not-for-profit organisation, we are grateful for the sponsorship and support of some wonderful organisations who also work with the education community.

Distinction Furniture is one of our long-term supporters and I asked Julie Carter (Director): "Why should my school or organisation choose Distinction?" She says, "We are a small company, with a big range, and a huge passion for our schools and education. We offer innovative affordable furniture solutions tailored to fit each school's unique individual needs.

We are suppliers of Environmental Choice New Zealand licensed products including the world number 1 student chair - The Pantoflex. With over 1.5 million in use world wide, endorsements from Chiropractors Assoc. of Australia and a lifetime warranty, the Pantoflex is quickly becoming the chair of choice for NZ Schools. The Pantoflex was the preferred chair chosen by new schools such as Albany Senior High, Snells Beach Primary (pictured), Sancta Maria Primary, Clearview Primary, TKKM O Whangaroa, TKKM O Te Kotuku and many more."

Visit www.distinction.net.nz. or email julie@distinction.net.nz for more information.

"If you're an educator, then you have some exceptional talents (this statement is not negotiable)," says Tony Ryan. But we know you're always looking for some fresh ideas and strategies to make your classroom really zing for 2011. We are running two teacher-only days early in the year so talk to your team and book in now for the best and most motivating start to the year:

'Zest practice' Wed 26 Jan Waipuna Hotel (Mt. Wellington)

'Zest practice' Thu 27 Jan Trusts Stadium (Henderson)

Just $100 (+gst) per person for the day.

NZ Curriculum:

NZConnectED Conference (Auckland) with Tony Ryan, Julia Atkin, Graham Watts, Murray Gadd and more 15 & 16 Jul School holidays - no reliever costs

Values Education: How do we educate for values based action? (Auckland) with Dr. Julia Atkin 19 Aug

Monitoring the Growth of the Key Competencies (Auckland) with Dr. Julia Atkin 20 Aug


E-learning:

Raising Engagement with Web 2.0 Tools (Auckland) with Mark Osborne 6 Aug

Personalising Learning through ICT Tools (Auckland) with Mark Osborne 7 Aug Saturday - no reliever costs


Early Childhood:

Introduction to Brain Gym for Early Childhood Educators (Auckland) with Janet de Witt 12 Aug


Leadership / Key Competencies:

Leaders' Breakfast (West Auckland): The Possibilities and Pitfalls of National Standards with Graham Watts 20 Jul

Leaders' Breakfast (Central Auckland): The Possibilities and Pitfalls of National Standards with Graham Watts 22 Jul

Being an Effective Coach (Auckland) with Jan Hill & Kay Hawk 22 Jul

Leading Learning with the Key Competencies (Auckland) with Graham Watts 23 Jul

Leading Learning with the Key Competencies (Christchurch) with Graham Watts 26 Jul

Leading Learning with the Key Competencies (Invercargill) with Graham Watts 28 Jul Late addition to our programme!



Literacy:

Understanding & Implementing the Literacy Progressions Y5-8 (Auckland) with Alison Davis 30 & 31 Jul


Teacher Aides:

Teacher Aides Working with Boys (Auckland) with Warwick Pudney 13 Aug

We have just confirmed our order for the 2011 Innovative Teachers' Companion and we expect to see them later in term three. They are a special price of just $32 until 30 Sep; click here for details. On 1 Oct they'll increase to $35 per copy due to the GST increase, so be in quick.

Joan Dalton's Learning Talk: Build Understandings (pictured) has now arrived to help you build collective understanding and commitment to Learning Talk for the collaborative, learning-focused world in which we live. Click here to read more and order. Book 2 in the series, Build the Culture for Learning Talk will be available later this year.

Enjoy your holiday and keep looking on the website for some new and exciting titles in Term 3.

Dorne Lonergan (Resource Manager)