Sitech Systems NZ

Sitech Systems NZ sales staff and Breathe Technology trainers are now fully accredited to deliver professional development on Easiteach Next Generation. To support capacity-building in your school you can purchase the Easiteach Next Generation CPD Module and two of your staff will become accredited trainers, available to support ongoing PD in your school:

RM easiPD is an off-the-shelf, flexible and affordable training package designed to provide professional development to support and enhance usage of RM Easiteach Next Generation and interactive devices in schools.  RM easiPD allows customers to increase their knowledge and confidence in the use of RM Easiteach Next Generation and interactive devices in the classroom.

RM easiPD entitles the purchaser to one full day of training for two teachers which can be provided by Sitech Systems NZ/Breathe Technology accredited trainers. An RM easiPD Resource Pack  is included which features approximately 12 hours of self-paced learning materials. This Resource Pack also includes a ‘train-the-trainer’ course which customers can then use to provide follow on training to staff at their school.

Introducing Lauren Elliott – our new sales consultant based in Auckland. You can contact Lauren on lauren@sitech.co.nz

“I was born in the UK. I graduated from Auckland University of Technology with a Bachelor of Education and worked as a primary school teacher in the Waikato.  I came back to Auckland to be closer to my friends and family.

My interests include New Zealand art, reading and spending time with friends and family. I am a volunteer for different charities and support the Cancer and M.S. Society.  I am an animal lover and have a rescue cat called Smokey.

I am looking forward to establishing supportive and collegial relationships with Sitech staff, teachers, principals and the wider community.”

Middle Team Leader at Malfroy School in Rotorua, Lee Overdevest enjoying her free introductory training session that comes bundled with the Sanyo Interactive Data Projector and Easiteach Next Generation software .These free sessions are provided with much of the Sitech Systems NZ Ltd educational technology product range to ensure that teachers and students are up and running with their new technologies.

The interactive data projector is shown here being used on a regular whiteboard.

 Lee and Jenny apologise for their windswept appearance but the weather was a tad inclement…

Sitech Systems NZ were invited to display the latest in science technology at the recent science fair. The science trolley and visualiser proved to be winners. We enjoyed looking at all the presentations too. Congratulations to all the students.

The Tertiary Teaching Excellence Awards recognises tertiary teachers’ committed and sustained contribution to their teaching and consistently high level of support for their learners.  This year Kevin Gould, an advocate of the use of class response systems to support higher order thinking, was recognised for his commitment to the teaching of science.

“I introduced clickers to Biology at Victoria University in 2009.  BIOL 113 was used in a pilot study evaluated by the University Teaching Development Centre (UTDC). So impressive were the results that Victoria committed $80,000 to purchase clickers for use across its four campuses.  I encouraged staff from all disciplines to attend my lectures to witness clickers in action; academics from Chemistry, Education, Law, and Business Administration now use them regularly in their teaching.”

Find out more about Sitech systems NZ classroom response systems

Sitech Systems NZ celebrated the launch of the new look website with a wonderful prize draw for all those who subscribed to our newsletter. If you want to subscribe to catch up on all our latest news, promos, competitions and events just click here.

And the winners are:

Sony 55” TV: Murray Edlin, Banks Avenue School, Canterbury

Redcat Soundfield System: Ian McMillan, Otaki College, Wellington

AVerMedia Visualiser and AVerPen Starter Kit: Fiona Price, Koraunui School, Wellington

MiPro Ultra portable PA System with microphone:  Roz Dakin, James Street School, Whakatane

Creative VADO: Veronica Adams, Owhata School, Rotorua

Tascam CD Trainer: Janet Danks, Aorere College, Auckland

ACER LED Monitor: Stuart Armistead, Stanley Avenue School, Te Aroha

10 Kahootz Software Licenses: Noula Kazakos-Tomczyk, Cobden School, West Coast

Congratulations to you all! Sitech Systems NZ will be in touch shortly to organise delivery. If you want to see your moment of glory, there is a video of the prize draw on our Facebook page (as well as details of our next competition!)

No stopping these radio stations from popping up…from Invercargill to Mangare East in South Auckland. Anne Tolley launched MEPS 107.1 FM last week and stated “If kids want to get into a media future what a great way to learn”. With the high numbers of ESOL and Pacifica students at the school she also thought it was “a good way to promote a variety of languages”.

They are now broadcasting within a 3km radius of the school. And if you happen to be going to ULearn, Garry Leet and Jenny Barrett are presenting 3 workshops on how to get a radio station up and running in your school. Or just visit the Sitech Systems NZ Ltd stand #23-26.

Halswell School, tragically hit and maybe permanantly damaged by the earthquake in Christchurch, have spent the year working on integrating ICT across their curriculum. We hope that they can get this programme back up and running as soon as possible.

Here are a few of the things that they have been doing to integrate ICT across their curriculum, with photos on our facebook page.

• planning a beebot town
• using a microscope to look at plants during reading

• making salt crystals and time lapse photos on digital microscope
• following instructions to set up microscope
• using logi blocs making a door alarm
• following instructions for story writing using talking tins
• interviewing with an easispeak

Thanks for sharing and we all hope you are on your feet again soon!

Geocaching on the Westcoast

Sitech Systems NZ Ltd provided support for a Kids ICT conference held recently at Shantytown on the Westcoast. Workshops on Geocaching and the use of GPS receivers were run with groups of children from local schools to experience this new and exciting activity.

The children learnt how to read and operate the GPS receivers to lay down a geocaching exercise and then challenge other groups to complete the course and find all the markers hidden. Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online.

The high point of the day was to establish a cache that was registered with an International association so any member of the public can attempt to find it and leave evidence to show that they have while leaving an item that the next person can retrieve and replace.

Each group of students was supported by teachers and parents and the message that GPS devices can be used in an educational way was promoted. For more infromation on using GPS in your school contact Sitech Systems NZ Ltd.

Sitech Systems NZ Ltd was pleased to be asked to help get the airwaves rocking down South with a brand new radio station for Waihopai School. Check out their line up to get a taste of what’s on offer…and if you are local tune in!

Waihopai Radio Station 107.1FM – The Shack!

(Broadcasting to you Monday – Friday 9.30am till 4pm.)

Tune in every day to hear the daily notices, up and coming events and weather forecast for the day and a line up of other material from every classroom in the school. We have a talented bunch of 10 students who have been chosen to bring you the news, views and hip happenings at Waihopai School.

Tune in Monday for DJ Rebecca Chetcuti & DJ Peter Kennedy to hear…

• Stars of the Week,
• Value of the Term (weekly winners)
• Principals Word.

Tuesday for DJ Olivia Smith & DJ Ella Smith to hear…

• Weekend Sports Results
• Blog Spot Competition of the Week.

Wednesday for DJ Tom Capil & DJ Patrick Gainsford to hear…

• Student Voice,
• Did you know?
• The adventures Herbert Gladstone on Tour.

Thursday for DJ Niamh Hunt & DJ William Burnett to hear…

• Parent Reminder/Fundraisers,
• Friends of Waihopai Update
• A Book Review.

Friday for DJ Madison McKenzie & DJ Bella Robert to hear…

• Newsletter News,
• Joke of the Week,
• What’s up with the School Leaders

Please support our radio and our sponsors Southland Real Estate by recommending them to others and using them to buy or sell your homes. In return they will donate money to pay for the equipment through their fundmax programme.