Schoolin' it

So, naturally, part of my trip is about seeing how the other half live or at least how they do school - and here I am! This is a small, rural school just out of Masterton, with around 90 students, Kindergarten through 7th gr (full primary).

The classic (freezing!) school pool is in good shape in this school. Looks like they have refinished it recently. One of the aspects of New Zealand curriculum in primary school is aquatics and learning to swim...and I remember the freezingness well! I also remember kids who would be begging me to stay in even though they had headaches from the cold - kiwis are tough!

As with many small schools, this one has multiple grade levels in each room - although it is possible to have only 3 or 4 students in each grade. Very tricky arrangement for teachers, that's for sure. Another wee difference is that the classrooms have wood fires in them - fairly confident that would NEVER happen in Oklahoma, no matter how cold it gets!

Always good to take a look around!