Thursday, 29 August 2013

More students achieving under Youth Guarantee

Steven Joyce | Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment

More young people who have not achieved in the classroom are succeeding in tertiary education through the Youth Guarantee scheme, latest Tertiary Education Commission figures show. “Youth Guarantee is continuing to motivate young people who may find the classroom environment challenging and are at risk of dropping out of school,” Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce says. ...

Govt invests $278m in new research programmes

Steven Joyce | Science and Innovation 

New Zealand researchers will receive $278 million in new research investment, Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce announced today. The 51 research programmes receiving funding are in the biological industries, high-value manufacturing and services, energy and minerals, environmental, and health and society sectors. “Science and innovation is critical to New Zealand’s economic success and growth. Our science investments must result in research programmes that deliver economic, environmental, and social outcomes,” Mr Joyce says. .

Parenting programme improves children’s behaviour

The Ministry of Education says an evaluation of its Incredible Years parenting programme shows it does improve children’s behaviour and parenting practices.

Increasing educational achievement in secondary schools

This national report presents the findings of ERO’s recent evaluation of the practices used in an initiative to support the improved achievement of a specific group of Year 12 students.

Dodgy teachers to be named and shamed

Dodgy teachers will be named and shamed after a parliamentary select committee prompted the Teachers Council to review suppression rules.

‘Smart’ Otago science supported in research investment round

Linwood plans science school

The country's first science and technology-focused school is being planned for Christchurch.

Deputy Dean appointed MBIE Chief Science Advisor

Professor Jim Metson, Deputy Dean of The University of Auckland’s Faculty of Science, has been appointed Chief Science Advisor for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).

Tauranga campus a step closer

Stuff.co.nz
Deputy vice-chancellor Professor Alister Jones said the University of Waikato had a strong connection with the Bay of Plenty and there was high need for tertiary education in the region. ''This is driven by the region, for the region. This is not the ...

School ready for expansion

Auckland stuff.co.nz

The Ministry of Education has since purchased and demolished the two remaining Housing New Zealand homes between the school and Rosehill College on Edinburgh Ave. The extension will boast five classrooms, offices and two multipurpose rooms which ...

Wednesday, 28 August 2013

$27 million investment in education initiatives aimed at priority children

Hekia Parata | Education 

Education Minister Hekia Parata has today announced the Government is investing $27 million in education initiatives targeted at priority children. Ms Parata says the initiatives are targeted at children who are falling behind for a range of reasons. ... 

Govt strengthening Centres of Research Excellence

Steven Joyce | Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment 

The Government is investing in stronger Centres of Research Excellence to boost innovation and research-led learning in New Zealand’s universities, Minister Steven Joyce announced today. Additional funding in Budget 2013 of $9.5 million is being backed up by a clearer mission statement and stronger performance expectations for the centres. “Centres of Research Excellence play an important and unique role in supporting world-class research, with positive economic and social and benefits to New Zealand,” Mr Joyce says. ... 

Consultation begins on improving PBRF

Steven Joyce | Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment 

Proposed changes to the Performance-Based Research Fund will save time and reduce compliance costs for researchers and institutions while continuing to reward research excellence, Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce says. ... 

Jack Matthews joins Network for Learning Board

Nikki Kaye | Education Associate 

Education Minister, Nikki Kaye, has today announced Jack Matthews will be joining the board of Crown-owned company Network for Learning (N4L). Mr Matthews is known in New Zealand as the driving force behind the rollout of Saturn’s (now Vodafone’s) hybrid fibre-coax cable network in Wellington and Christchurch. Most recently he was Chief Executive, Metropolitan Media at Fairfax Media in Sydney and prior to that he was Chief Executive of Fairfax Digital, which manages all online media, including TradeMe, for the group. ... 

Education gets $27m funding boost

NZ City
There is a further $3.15m over two years to work with over 100 schools to increaseNCEA level 2 achievement and help students transition to tertiary study, training or employment, and $1.75m over four years to support teen parents in mainstream schools.

Govt announces initiatives for education under-achievers

Radio New Zealand
The money includes $8 million on a second shot at the Maori Education Strategy, which the Auditor-General said was poorly introduced five years ago. There is also $5 million for a new programme the government says merges the best points of successful ... 

Govt strengthening Centres of Research Excellence

Invest in NZ
Funding will begin on 1 January 2015 for a six-year period to 2020. The Royal Society of New Zealand has been contracted by the Tertiary Education Commission to establish necessary processes to make funding recommendations to the TEC. Information is ...

Charter school teachers will be screened

NZ City
Labour on Wednesday questioned the status of charter schools under the new laws, saying Social Development Minister Paula Bennett should be upfront about whether her child protection policies covered them. A spokeswoman for the minister told NZ ...

Helping Educate under-25 Tertiary Students

EIT has spearheaded a significant multi-educator research project aimed at enhancing the teaching of younger students attending tertiary institutions nationwide. 

Student engagement drives technology use

Techday NZ
Dorothy Burt, professional development co-ordinator for Manaiakalani, says in the early years a lot of effort was placed on proving that students could be engaged to learnthe literacy skills they need through the use of digital technologies. And as... 

Allied Telesis delivers more for Education in New Zealand…

Techday NZ
Schools across New Zealand have seen the benefits of deploying Allied Telesis networks within their schools for a number of years with the roll-out of the School Network Upgrade Program (SNUP) conducted by the Ministry of Education. The SNUP project ... 

Children have fewer practical skills, and so do the teachers

Technology teachers say children are arriving at secondary school with fewer practical skills than in the past with many 12 and 13 year olds unable to tell the difference between a chisel and a screwdriver. 

Bryan Bruce: Charter schools' murky screening policy ripe for abuse

Paula Bennett's drive to improve the safety of our children against sexual abuse raises some important questions about the vulnerability of pupils who will soon find themselves attending one of the new public/private partnership schools... 

Review of the Performance-Based Research Fund (PBRF)

An overview, general information and timing for the review of the Performance-Based Research Fund (PBRF) 

Kawerau Students offered new experience

Following ISKawerau’s April seminar on the opportunities and challenges of employing locally, local industry are taking the lead in providing a wide range of work experience opportunities for students residing in Kawerau. The programme will provide up to ... 

Doors Open on New Merger School

Kahurangi School will be officially opened on Friday 6 September at 1.00pm, by local MP and long-time supporter, Hon. Annette King. 

Extra help at school pays off | Otago Daily Times Online News ...

The recently published Education Review Office report, Increasing Educational Achievement in Secondary Schools, involved 16 schools who identified a target group of Year 12 students unlikely to achieve NCEALevel 2 by ... 

NorthTec seeks to achieve operational sustainability goals

NorthTec has embraced a key green initiative by seeking ways to provide long term sustainability and leadership in the way it operates as Northland’s largest tertiary education provider. 

Strong Pacific Focus for Postdoctoral Researcher

Oceanic linguistics specialist Dr Farzana Gounder has been awarded a 2013 Postdoctoral Fellowship Award by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences which will allow her to dedicate a whole year to research focussing on narrative and identity constructions ... 

One third of West Coast school off sick

The winter flu has caught up with a Greymouth school, which has lost nearly a third of its roll to influenza this week.Close to 50 Karoro School pupils were off sick yesterday and a similar number were out again today, taking a... 

Head lice shave infuriates

A Christchurch school took to shaving a special needs pupil's hair off to get rid of his continual infestation of head lice.

Monday, 26 August 2013

Revenue growth despite lower international enrolments

Steven Joyce | Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment 

The international education sector is showing further revenue growth, despite lower enrolments at Private Training Establishments (PTEs) contributing to a three per cent decline in overall enrolment numbers says Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce. Data released today in the International Education Snapshot report for 1 January to 30 April 2013 shows enrolments in Universities and Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs) increased by two per cent and three per cent respectively, while enrolments at PTEs declined 10 per cent year-on-year. ...

NZ school students becoming attracted to computer science

New Zealand school students, who traditionally aspired to be All Blacks, doctors or lawyers, are becoming more attracted to computer science, a University of Canterbury (UC) expert says.

Revenue growth despite lower international enrolments

Invest in NZ
The international education sector is showing further revenue growth, despite lower enrolments at Private Training Establishments (PTEs) contributing to a three per cent decline in overall enrolment numbers says Tertiary Education, Skills and ...

Govt and iwi work to keep Te Reo alive

Radio New Zealand
He says efforts to keep Te Reo alive started with a burst of energy and the setting up ofKohanga Reo and Kura Kaupapa but initiatives seem to have dropped off more recently. The new strategy is expected to be rolled out before the end of the year ...

Studying literature - why the arts are vital

Stuff.co.nz (blog)
This, I think, is one of the most important things that the study of literature gives to itsstudents. Yes, not everyone enjoys reading fiction, but not everyone enjoys science and mathematics, and what I don't agree with is the study of those subjects ... 

Computer science a hit with school students

Techday NZ
The addition of computer science standards to NCEA provides an opportunity for high school students to find out what the field is really like and, says Bell, hundreds of students around the country have completed these standards since they were ...

Expert to grade assessment tool.

Scoop.co.nz (press release)
Mr Flockton, who has been honoured for his services to education, will give his verdict on the online Progress and Consistency Tool (PaCT) that is being developed by the Ministry of Education as a National Standards computerised assessment tool. The $5 ...

Extra help at school pays off

A change in approach from schools can help turn around students heading for failure, even over a short time, a new study indicates.There is also a warning that some schools focus too much on students gaining NCEA credits when they...

Studying what gadget users want and need

Stuff.co.nz
Trey Causey, who is working toward a PhD in sociology from the University of Washington and recently joined flash-sales clothing website Zulily as a data scientist, said there's still some scepticism among tech firms that social scientists have skills ...

1700 Kiwi schools can sign up to UFB today

Techday NZ
The report on the ultra-fast broadband and rural broadband programmes, released by communications and information technology minister Amy Adams, shows the targets in year two for both initiatives have been exceeded. Fibre was rolled out to more than ...

Student army widens community focus | Otago Daily Times Online ...

"We want service be part of the student lifestyle and empower students to be the change in their community," she said. "In 2011, when the SVA swamped the streets of Christchurch to help remove the liquefaction, I was ... 

University of Waikato launches MOOC

Techday NZ
The choice of Data Mining with Weka for a MOOC was an obvious one for the University of Waikato's Department of Computer Science – students around the world are already familiar with the software and have written and uploaded tutorials on YouTube. 

No regrets for skipping uni

Stuff.co.nz
I boycotted NCEA (precocious much?) and barely graduated. University was some far off fairytale land full of abundant alcohol and mould, a place I couldn't see myself in. But who was I kidding, right? Surely I had no shot without a degree? Mum was on ... 

Deborah Hill Cone: Invest in teachers and children will follow

I'm a bit in love with Finland. Or at least its education system. I've never been there but I'm enamoured with it after reading an excerpt from a new book called How Do Other Countries Create Smarter Kids? Journalist Amanda Ripley... 

Chartering homophobia?

Gay NZ
Based on Britain and the United States, charter schools are state sector schools that receive government money for operational purposes but have considerable autonomy when it comes to school management, curriculum, hiring teachers and school conduct ... 

Bullying is a 'necessary evil'

Stuff.co.nz
As a child I was bullied constantly, the school didn't seem to care. The anti-bullying measures they would take were ineffective at best. Mum would let me take the occasional 'sick' day and I even tried fighting back. Despite these efforts my self ... 

Student blog: A degree of maturity

Stuff.co.nz
What I hope to cover in this blog is the entire New Zealand student experience. Who arestudents? I'm sure, I could bore you with various statistical facts about New Zealand'sstudent population, but I won't. Because we're all different. That said, I ... 

Te Huinga Tauira Māori Students’ Conference

This year’s Te Huinga Tauira National Māori Students’ Conference is being hosted by Te Waiora o te Whare Wānanga o Waikato, a university group with a Māori focus, at the University of Waikato. It is the first time the group has hosted the four-day ... 

125 Years of Marist Education in Samoa Celebrated in NZ

The milestone 125 years anniversary of Marist Education in Samoa was celebrated in Auckland on Saturday with Mass led by Father Talipope Vaifale followed by dinner. 

CPIT won’t offer Circo Arts programme in 2014

CPIT’s Circo Arts programme will not be offered in 2014 due to continuing challenges in being able to provide appropriate facilities. A performing arts facility is proposed to be developed at CPIT in the future and could incorporate a Circo Arts training ...

Friday, 23 August 2013

NZ schools ignoring agriculture - industry leaders

Agriculture is being largely overlooked by New Zealand schools and young people are failing to hear about the wide range of careers available in the sector, say industry leaders. KPMG's 

Student Associations call for national reform

Today, the Presidents of the Auckland University Students’ Association (AUSA), Otago University Student Association (OUSA) and Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association (VUWSA) said that they would investigate a series of reforms ... 

Anti-bullying Success with Kiwi Kids Not Just an Illusion

Having performed for over 700,000 students Elgregoe has become of New Zealand’s top school performers and most celebrated magicians and he is about to visit Taupō schools to reinforce his anti–bullying message. 

Facing the challenge Māori boys' achievement in education ...

Māori boys have so much potential to be successful in any field that they choose but it is unfortunate that they are still the most underachieving group of all students. In terms of our current education landscape, a significant number of Māori ... 

Employment, education, opportunity

Scoop.co.nz (press release)
This will provide more pathways through tertiary education and will attract more young people, particularly Māori, into tertiary education. Attracting young people to the Bay of Plenty is crucial to develop employment, education, and business ... 

Otago above average in education | Otago Daily Times Online News ...

It showed participation in early childhood education and percentages of students meeting standards in primary school, as well as levels of achievement for NCEA and University Entrance. The Government also disclosed its ... 

Novopay Still Well Below the Standard

The New Zealand Principals' Federation (NZPF) President Philip Harding says that with the anniversary of the introduction of Novopay looming this week, there remains a lot of work to do. 

Regional Council Funds Tertiary Campus

Scoop.co.nz (press release)
Tauranga Chamber of Commerce today expressed unreserved delight at the news Bay of Plenty Regional Council will contribute $15m towards the development of a tertiarycampus in Tauranga. CEO Max Mason said, “The ramifications of this landmark ... 

Senior secondary regional workshops on achievement, retention ...

The Ministry of Education and partners are holding regional workshops on senior secondary achievement, retention and transitions during August–September 2013. The purpose of the workshops to: inform education ...

School takes stock

Stuff.co.nz
Employees of an Auckland primary school are facing a year-long wait for a new administration block following an alleged arson earlier this month. Meanwhile Pt ChevalierSchool is eyeing up the grounds of a neighbouring kindergarten to accommodate its ...

School back from brink

Northland Independent Community
He said observance of Maori culture has been retained, and is mixed with flavours of various other cultures. The school makes Skype video calls to classrooms in other countries. But each day's tuition begins with a Karakia, as has been the practice at ...

Were you bullied at school?

Stuff.co.nz
Although I liked attending school, chronic bullying occurred during lunch times and in theclassroom. I was bullied about my weight and stutter, about being sick, about having no interest in sport, about having no physical ability. During intermediate ...

University of Waikato launches MOOC on data mining

The first MOOC (massive open online course) from a New Zealand university was launched by the University of Waikato this week in one of the most exciting fields of contemporary computer science – data mining.

Thursday, 22 August 2013

Education Ministry responds to inquiry

Voxy
The acting Secretary for Education, Peter Hughes, says he accepts in full all of the findings and recommendations of the Ministerial Inquiry that relate to the Ministry. Mr Hughes says he is already acting on the issues identified in the report. "The ...

Turei: Govt ignored warning

New Zealand Herald
"The Ministry of Education told Paula Bennett that the primary concern was that there wasn't enough provision for early childhood education for 3 year olds, and that the key barrier for Maori, Pasifika and lower-socioeconomic families was suitable ...

Stronger focus on Waikato's Maori pupils

Waikato Times
The Ministry of Education has identified Waikato as a focus for lifting achievement amongMaori learners as they make up 30 per cent of the region's 18-year-olds, compared with the national average of 21 per cent. Ministry staff will present a strategy ...

Reading on the cheap

Stuff.co.nz
A reading programme developed in a garage is working better than the one recommended by the Ministry of Education, Massey University says. A new report byeducation experts Professor James Chapman and Professor Bill Tunmer blasts the Government's ...

$3m school project begins

Stuff.co.nz
A $3 million development has kicked off at Craighead, with construction of the school'snew boarding house beginning yesterday. With that hefty price tag the project is a massive undertaking. It will increase the boarding capacity from 112 to 140, and ...

Another Maori language app on its way

Radio New Zealand
It's the latest in a string of Maori language apps put out by tertiary education institutes, including Victoria and Auckland universities. Mr Black says the immersion app will be in a games format, aimed at quality reo and narratives to link mokopuna ...

Pick your degree carefully

In today's tough job market, is it better to get an education or just try to get a job and work your way up? Our readers share their views.

Wednesday, 21 August 2013

New facilities for Tarawera High School

Hekia Parata | Education 

Today Education Minister Hekia Parata and Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye announced a $15.64m investment in new facilities for Tarawera High School. “This is a great outcome for the Kawerau community and for the educational future of its young people. This is a significant investment reflecting the importance we place on raising achievement, and success for all,” says Ms Parata. “We want to deliver a sustainable, modern learning environment for greatest benefit to students, families and whānau and to the Kawerau community as a whole.” ... 

Further funding for communities to combat bullying

Tariana Turia | Social Development 

The Government has committed funding for a further 19 community projects aimed at reducing bullying amongst young people under a second round of the Te Punanga Haumaru fund, announced Associate Social Development Minister Tariana Turia today. ... 

Study: Bullying lasts into adulthood

MSN NZ News
However they tended to have a better education and better social skills than those who had been bullied and also bullied others. The children who had bullied others but not been bullied had a greater chance of having a violent relationship, being fired ... 

Get a degree or get a job?

Stuff.co.nz
How did you get in to work and what do you think is the best way for our young people to get jobs and contribute to the economy? Are students wasting their time or do we need higher education to advance our nation? Click the big green button below to ... 

Work before degree better for some

Stuff.co.nz
... first job in Aussie Grass greener everywhere but NZ Uni vs the school of life: It's about what you study Uni vs the school of life: An unnatural progression. In today's tough job market, is it better to get an education or just try to get a job and ... 

Progress for Maori youth

Radio New Zealand
... released from prison, the Government says. The progress report also found more tamariki receiving pre-school education and more Maori and Pasifika school leavers achieving NCEA Level 2 compared to 2009 figures. Tweet on Twitter Share on Facebook. 

NZ Universities thrash-out skilled emigration debate

Skilled, under 30, and thinking of heading overseas - does that make you an asset or a liability to New Zealand Inc.? That’s what we’ll find out when Victoria University of Wellington and the University of Auckland go head-to-head in the finals ... 

Funding helps youth reach their full potential

Auckland stuff.co.nz
Ms Inglis says the fund is intended to stop young people "falling out of the educationand training systems and not getting into employment". More than 2000 Aucklanders leave school each year without qualifications and 15 to 19-year-olds are the most ... 

College bounces back

Northland Independent Community
New principal Jim Luders says the Ministry of Education is set to invest $6 million into the school and students can expect a fresh look within two years. He says the existing administration block looks good but work on the rest of the campus is long ... 

'Shadow' students shown the light

International student Nupur Chawla was one of the lucky ones to take part in this year's AUT Business School's Shadow a Leader day, an event that ran alongside the annual Sir Peter Blake Trust Leadership Week.Nupur, 33, gave up... 

Raw data 'useless' for schools

Stuff.co.nz
After the publication of the first batch of National Standards data by school last year, Fairfax published an excellent op-ed by Paul Duignan, an expert in the field of "outcomes measurement". Mr Duignan rightly noted that raw data based on outcomes ...

Tuesday, 20 August 2013

Novopay stabilising a year on but more work to do

Steven Joyce | Education 

This week marks a year since the school payroll system Novopay went live and while significant progress has been made, challenges still remain in completing the remediation and stabilisation of the system, Minister Responsible for Novopay Steven Joyce says. Novopay went live on 20 August 2012 allowing school administrators to log on to the system online. The first pay run under the system was 5 September 2012. ... 

Money pumped in for Novopay

The Government has pumped an extra $11 million into sorting the Novopay debacle and, one year on from its launch, most school staff are getting paid. 

Novopay school payroll system still frustrating

It's one year since the Novopay payroll system was introduced into schools, and it's still not fixed. 

Novopay Minister says improvements are being made

The Minister responsible for Novopay, Steven Joyce, says improvements are being made to the system. 

Anniversary of Novopay no cause for celebration

It's one year today since the payroll system Novopay was introduced into schools, and it's still not fixed. 

Principals still dealing with Novopay frustration

The Minister responsible for Novopay, Steven Joyce, says the system has improved, after 12 months of disasters which have seen staff in schools underpaid, overpaid and in some cases not paid at all. 

Charter school applicants lack 'calibre'

Stuff.co.nz
In June, Parliament passed legislation allowing charter schools to open as early as February next year and, at the time, Ms Parata told The Dominion Post, "the range of applications we have received is impressive". She said she welcomed their arrival ... 

Pasifika educators criticise Government direction

Scoop.co.nz (press release)
Both Professor Salesa and Efeso Collins described national standards as narrow and favouring some communities over others, while all three speakers expressed opposition toCharter schools which will take resource away from poor communities. Mr Collins ... 

League tables show parents little

The league tables recently published, ranking schools on the basis of student achievement in NCEA, need to be read very carefully by parents. They paint a clear warning of the consequences of growing inequality in New Zealand. 

More than 1000 schools register with N4L

Techday NZ
Nikki Kaye, Associate Education Minister, says the concept of a managed network stacked up on paper during the due diligence stage and the fact schools have been quick to register their interest backs that up. “The government believes that by using ... 

Faith-based childhood centre to open

Stuff.co.nz
Along with the early childhood centre, the new building contains a women's space, and will host after-school and weekend classes for children. Classes delivered will teach pupils to be "proud to be Muslim and proud to be a New Zealander," said Mr Gamadid.

 

Students face lockout as uni sets fees

Students are to be locked out of a meeting to set new university fees after protests badly injured two security guards, one of whom needed surgery.The injuries, which occurred during protests at last year's meeting to discuss fees,... 

Living Wage - key focus for school support staff claim

School librarians, teacher aides, IT support and administration staff will be meeting over the next fortnight to discuss their claim for a new collective employment agreement. 

Support available for schools post earthquake

Further information on support available for schools post earthquake 

Tick for Kids – children at centre of local body elections

Scoop.co.nz (press release)
“Allowing more unqualified teachers, whether in early childhood education or in charter schools, is a backward step for Kiwi children,” said Virginia Stark. “Both central and local government need to stand up for quality public education.” NZEI Vice ... 

ACE Places Focus of Adult Learners’ Week 2013

Adult Learners’ Week/He Tangata Mātauranga organizers are on the look out for “ACE Places” in the run up to this year’s national week of celebrations, September 2-8. 

Insights for Improving the Workplace Learning-and-Performance Field

We, the members of the workplace learning-and-performance field, think about our field from time to time. Of course we do. Here's what I wonder. How much have our mental models changed in the last 50 years? That's too big ... 

School quick to embrace the future

Manawatu Standard
... of thousands of dollars, have meant the school's wi-fi system is smooth, its internet connection is of good quality and it is home to more than 90 iMacs, 90 iPads, 50 laptops and about 20 iPod touches, including one in each of the school's 16 ...

Lincoln University signs new MOU with Papua New Guinea

Lincoln University has expanded its involvement in providing educational outcomes to the people of Papua New Guinea by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Sohe electorate of Papua New Guinea’s Northern Province. 

Request for donations

The Board of Trustees of Phillipstown School has taken legal action to challenge the Minister’s decision to merge Phillipstown with Woolston School onto the Woolston site. Phillipstown School serves a low socio-economic community and many of its children ...

Monday, 19 August 2013

Misbehaving teachers may be named

NZ City
The committee, which investigates complaints about any rule or regulation, has decided name suppression isn't in line with the Education Act and has recommended the council change its rules. It also wants the Education Act amended so it explicitly ... 

Union concerned innocent teachers will be shamed

A teachers union is concerned innocent teachers will be named and shamed unnecessarily after a Parliamentary select committee recommended the Teachers Council lift automatic name suppression.The council put a warning on its website... 

More ways for bad teachers to hide?

Misbehaving teachers facing disciplinary action may soon lose their automatic name suppression - but the national kindergarten federation is warning that those in trouble could still use other ways to retain anonymity.Existing rules...

Herald on Sunday editorial: MPs tell teachers: Open door

It is a small victory but an important one. Parliament's regulations review committee has upheld our complaint against the secrecy of teachers' disciplinary proceedings. The verdict puts a decisive foot in the door of the tribunal... 

Maori and male leavers failing

Stuff.co.nz
Two-thirds of Manawatu male school leavers are failing to make the grade required to get to university, while a third of Maori pupils are leaving school without any qualifications at all. The region's report card is out and it shows teenage boys are ...

Maori and Pasifika students continue to lag behind
Schools fail to meet ambitious Government targets
Education Minister releases regional education information 

Charter school process sidelines Māori

waateanews.com
The Quality Charter Public Education Coalition says the process of picking the first charter school operators does not meet the standards expected of open and transparent government and appears to discriminate against Māori. Chairperson Bill Courtenay ... 

Child protection policies must extend to charter schools

Scoop.co.nz (press release)
If the Government is genuinely committed to doing everything possible to ensure children are safe it will make sure charter schools' teachers face the same rigorous checks that those in state schools do, says Labour's Education Spokesperson Chris Hipkins. 

Problem students illegally suspended

Principals are using illegal suspensions to get rid of troublesome students, putting extra pressure on other schools forced to take them in. 

Paeroa boy still waiting for place in school

Stuff.co.nz
The boy was kicked out of Paeroa Central School last August after he assaulted a teacher and threatened pupils. The ministry directed the school to re-enrol him, but principal Janet Jones and the board of trustees refused, saying the boy was a danger ... 

Unis struggle to win dollars

Stuff.co.nz
The United States is mid-range, showing a shift from the more traditional educationalpowerhouses towards institutes from the East. New Zealand's Tertiary Education Union spokesman Stephen Day said the country's remote location and competitive funding ... 

More than 1000 schools register with N4L

Techday NZ
“The government believes that by using digital technologies over the managed network,students will have access to a wider range of quality teaching and learning resources that can enhance their learning and engagement,” she says. “From my experience ... 

Book looks at Maori and indigenous knowledge in education

Radio New Zealand
A Maori studies professor at Massey University is on a mission to enhance Maori and world indigenous knowledge in the education system. Taiarahia Black is in the process of finalising his latest publication titled Matauranga Maori and Global Indigenous ...

 

Kiwi peer review system speeds up science

Two Wellington entrepreneurs have developed an online platform which they hope will radically disrupt the 300-year old academic peer review process. Their business has already attracted the attention of more than a dozen investors...

'Accelerating Educational Achievement' workshops

Scoop.co.nz (press release)
“These workshops fit well with the educational vision Auckland has set for itself and its economy. They are the first in a series of engagements we will have with Auckland communities around raising Auckland student achievement and on engaging more ...

Clear insights & fresh ideas from NZ employers for educators

Today’s inaugural Teachers’ Workchoice Day delivered attending educators clear insights and fresh ideas to help New Zealand’s youth become better work-ready. Amongst other ‘essentials’, holding a full driver’s license and displaying ...

UCOL aims for drug-free campus

Stuff.co.nz
Ms Dewart said it was difficult to measure levels of students possibly affected by legal highs, but student support staff had reported an increase in "hearing about" legal highs. In a public meeting about legal highs held this month, a UCOL staff ...

ITC accepted as one of the best by Quality Education

The International Travel College of New Zealand (ITC) has been accepted as a Quality Education College. “We are really proud to be associated with Quality Education,” says ITC’s Managing Director Claire Huxley. “They have a reputation in the industry ... 

Rodney Hide: Magic wand wasted on Key

Here's a question for you: If you could wave a wand and change overnight one policy to make our country better, what would it be?Mine would be to privatise all schools. I would kick government totally out of anything to do with... 

Paul Little: Money makes for bad education

News that Canterbury University is throwing $3,000 at students with top marks to enrol down south has been reported as though there was something unusual about a tertiary institution acting like a personnel recruitment agency on steroids.Universities... 

'Intellectual apartheid' in schools

Stuff.co.nz
Most high schools in New Zealand have some form of band system, an intellectual apartheid that is ruining education. It seems simple enough; you put the brightest kids in one class, the average kids in another and the students who struggle in another.

Friday, 16 August 2013

Schools must be accountable

The Dominion Post
From this year, kura and Maori medium programmes that deliver the Maori language curriculum have been required to report how they are progressing with the Nga Whanaketanga Rumaki Maori standards they use. According to a Ministry of Educationreport, ...

Landmark education agreement between PNG and Victoria University

Radio New Zealand International
I think education will drive the evolution and the development of our country through the millennium development goals that we have set. Luamanuvao Winnie Laban was centrally involved in establishing the new agreement and other Pasifika initiatives at ...

Abolish teacher-name secrecy, MPs demand

Teachers appearing before a disciplinary tribunal should be named, a parliamentary select committee has ruled.The Teachers Council's practice of automatically suppressing the names of school staff complained about is not in accordance...

Prisoners to pay for TV access, education channels

Scoop.co.nz (press release)
... be rolled out to prisons across the country in the following twelve months. If they pay for rental TVs, prisoners will only be able to view TV One, TV2, TV3, Prime and MāoriTelevision and two education channels, which are in the early stages of ...

Teaching no 'second rate profession'

Having been a teacher for 30 years and taught from five to twenty five year olds, in New Zealand, Asia, the Pacific and Europe I have had a wide and varied perspective of the teaching profession.

Thursday, 15 August 2013

Education Ministry trying to change its culture

The Ministry of Education has been told to change its culture from the top down and mend damage caused by major misadventures including the Novopay payroll debacle. 

Hundreds of Pasifika educators drawn to Education Fono

Scoop.co.nz (press release)
Entitled 'Lalaga – Weaving of Success', the fono will focus on strategies for advancing quality public education for the Pasifika community. The fono occurs amidst community debate about the impact of the Government's freeze on funding for Pasifika bi ... 

Te reo school fights for life

Stuff.co.nz
The last Maori medium education class in South Kaipara faces a battle to stay open. Te Whare Kakano is a unit of 17 children at Parakai School which is running out of time to meet the requirements it needs to secure its future. Teacher Ngawini ... 

ERO praises college's new curriculum

Hawke's Bay Today
"Te Aute's curriculum, Toku Moemoea, is a 21st century approach to learning. It takes theschool's current strong academic performance and commitment to Te Ao Maori (Te Reo and Nga Toi) and combines it with international best practice. "Every student ... 

dedication makes great schools

Stuff.co.nz
As part of Stuff's relaunched School Report NCEA and National Standards data project, we've asked what you think makes a good school. What makes a great school? To me, it's not the amount of money a school gets or doesn't and it's not about parents ... 

Why schools need 'misfits'

Stuff.co.nz
As part of Stuff's relaunched School Report NCEA and National Standards data project, we've asked what you think makes a good school. For 14 years plus I have worked with college-age students who use to be called at-risk, disengaged, naughty, ... 

Why teach? The joy of seeing kids progress

We've asked teachers to tell us why they got into the profession, and what keeps them there. 

NZ independent school group, ACG, looks to open in Tauranga

Academic Colleges Group (ACG) recently purchased 14ha of land on the corner of Keenan Road and Pyes Pa Road (SH 36) in Tauranga. ACG is developing plans for resource consent approval of a new family-focused and values-driven independent school that will offer ... 

Forum connects education and work

The importance of creating good connections between education providers and workplaces is the key focus of the Education and Work Settings strategic forum in Wellington tomorrow. 

Success for Kaipara College

Auckland stuff.co.nz
Only five schools had less than 50 per cent of pupils attain NCEA achievement standard. The best-performing state schools were Kaipara College and Western Springs College with pass rates of 95 per cent and 93 per cent respectively. Kaipara College ...

Wednesday, 14 August 2013

Hipkins wrong – PSKH employees will be vetted

John Banks | Education Labour MP Chris Hipkins is wrong - Partnership Schools | Kura Hourua will be subject to the new child protection policies announced yesterday, Associate Education Minister John Banks said today. “The Vulnerable Children’s Bill will require all Crown-funded or Crown-contracted organisations who work with children – which includes Partnership Schools - to comply with the vetting and screening requirements of the legislation,” Mr Banks said. ... 

Over 1000 schools register interest in managed network

Nikki Kaye | Education Almost half of New Zealand schools have registered their interest in connecting to Network for Learning’s managed network, Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye says. “On Friday 2 August we announced the managed network for all New Zealand schools was beginning development and that schools could register their interest with Network for Learning (N4L). Since then 1161 of around 2500 schools had registered as of this morning,” Ms Kaye says. “This is made up of 867 primary schools, 222 secondary and 72 composite schools. ... 

Parents' donations and fees keep schools running

Stuff.co.nz
A New Zealand Council for Educational Research report this year found schools in wealthy areas were getting about $1000 more a year for each student than lower decile schools. Ad Feedback. Mr Norman said the fact that some schools could more easily ... 

Charter school teachers will be screened

3News NZ
Labour on Wednesday questioned the status of charter schools under the new laws, saying Social Development Minister Paula Bennett should be upfront about whether her child protection policies covered them. A spokeswoman for the minister told NZ ... 

Half of te reo schools refusing to release data

Maori language schools are prominent among those refusing to hand over national standards data to the Government - and critics fear at least one school is being punished for its stance. 

Maori achievement higher in Kura Kaupapa

Newstalk ZB
Just released educational data shows Maori children have significantly better reading and writing achievement rates in Kura Kaupapa than they do in state schools. Hekia Parata puts the improved performance down to children being taught in a familiar ... 

Tertiary leaders worried by minimum completion rates

Tertiary education leaders warn institutions will start fiddling the books if the government keeps punishing them when too few students pass their courses. 

Education Ministry is failing children with Auditory Disorder

Bill Keith, an Auckland audiologist with Sound Skills, specialising in Auditory Processing Disorder; Sue Woods, an Auckland mother whose son with APD has been declined funding by the Education Ministry; and Brian Coffey, Strategic Policy Manager at the Ministry of Education. 

Universities dangling cash carrots

School leavers are being urged to take advantage of competition between universities as one offers up to $3000 cash for those with high marks in NCEA.Applications for many scholarships close as early as this week, and universities... 

Black to set up education research centre

waateanews.com
He is also working on sharing Māori models for higher education with other indigenous studies programmes around the world, which he says is part of a constant exchange of views and knowledge. "When I had my interview for this position, academics in the ... 

Selective use of technology best for language students

Techday NZ
Technology in the education sector is set to change with the delivery of ultra-fast broadband and N4L's managed network, giving New Zealand classrooms full access to the benefits of streamed video and sound, podcasting, blogging, social media and ... 

Teachers need to be managed too

Stuff.co.nz
As part of Stuff's relaunched School Report NCEA and National Standards data project, we've asked what you think makes a good school. I am a secondary school teacher at a small town co-ed state school with the full spectrum of lovely Kiwi kids. 

Teachers need to be the focus

Stuff.co.nz
The teacher, over the other students, the class size, or even the topic itself, is the element that influenced my grades, passions, and even my choice of degree. There is a continual political debate about lowering class sizes, and this is often ...

NCEA 'narrow and mindless teaching'

Stuff.co.nz
This includes leadership, decision-making, problem-solving, teamwork, creativity, insight, presentation, interpersonal skills, experience, values and a raft of other qualities that do not fit easily into an assessment template. By contrast many ...

Teaching is hard, but I love it

Stuff.co.nz
I choose to stay in the classroom teaching even though I have managing roles because it is what I am passionate about. Nowhere else do you have a job that two days are never the same. We are growing children's minds. Children are spontaneous, flexible ...

94 per cent of teachers have seen school bullying – VUW research

Scoop.co.nz (press release)
A good place for schools to start, says Dr Green, is to put a greater emphasis onprofessional development in the area of bullying prevention. A common ... So it's not surprising that many teachers, principals and schools don't know what to do about ... 

Students' Association president leaves post

Stuff.co.nzHe first started bouncing bothersome students from an on-campus MUSA-run bar in 2010, before turning his hand to managing the establishment, running events for MUSA, doing its marketing and communications, being elected education officer and then ...

Maori and Pasifika in Vocational Education & Training forum

The Industry Training Federation is hosting the inaugural Maori and Pasifika in Vocational Education and Training Forum in Wellington on 17 September. This forum will bring together people with an interest in inspiring and supporting excellence for Maori . 

Massey celebrating 50 years as a university

Graduates, staff, students and friends will celebrate Massey University’s 50th year of excellence in tertiary education throughout next year with a programme of events and activities. 

Education and ecology to create a fun school programme

A mutual passion for environmental education has brought together a primary school teacher, a doctor of ecology, and the board responsible for Guthrie-Smith Tutira to create a new programme that is already a hit with local school children. 

Solar energy school to power up soon

Northland Independent Community
He hopes the reduced price will attract low income families, particularly Maori, and create employment. "If we can involve young Maori students and teach them how to install solar panels properly it will open up employment opportunities." The school is ... 

Rural Health Education Scholarships

Scoop.co.nz (press release)
The Pat Farry Rural Health Education Trust has announced application details for two significant scholarships worth a total of $30,000 to encourage undergraduate and rural health professional research and professional development. Pat Farry Trust ...