30 April - 1 May 2015

Outstanding young Māori receive scholarships 

Hekia Parata | Education
Education Minister Hekia Parata today presented five Māori students with a prestigious tertiary scholarship in honour of the 28th (Māori) Battalion. The students who were presented with the Ngārimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship in a ceremony at Parliament are: ...

Speech to Ngārimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship Award ceremony

Hekia Parata | Education
On behalf of the Ngārimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship Fund Board, I wish to welcome you all here this evening. Among our guests are fellow board members, ministers of the Crown, Royal New Zealand Returned Services Association National Vice President Bob Hill, Chief of the Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Mike Yardley, members of the Iwi Chairs Forum, ministry and government agency representatives, members of the Alumni Establishment Committee, parents, whānau and friends. ...

Māori students receive prestigious scholarship

Māori Television
Education Minister Hekia Parata has presented 5 young Māori students with the Ngarimu VC and Māori Battalion scholarships. The students whom received the scholarships were Tahlia Kingi, Te Rerekohu Tūterangiwhiu, Hine Kawana, Coralie Takuira ...

Top 5 issues education decision makers must consider

Educators NZ
“The Wi-Fi approach may have some schools doing math on how many routers they need – and budgeting for whether a classroom can share a router with neighbouring rooms,” it says. “All of these solutions can create bandwidth issues and affect ... Print...

Ministry of Education backs digital tech for teaching

Educators NZ
Working with Network for Learning (N4L), the Ministry is able to rollout the government-funded Managed Network internet service to schools and provide Pond as a digital hub for teachers seeking educational resources. Already, schools are using digital ...

Rising ECE participation for Māori and Pasifika

Scoop.co.nz (press release)
Education Minister Hekia Parata has welcomed an increase in the proportion of Māoriand Pasifika children participating in early childhood education (ECE) before starting school. “Between March 2012 and March 2015, Māori ECE participation increased by ...

Early childhood education: Increase in Maori and Pasifika children

The education minister has welcomed an increase in Maori and Pasifika children participating in early childhood education - despite ongoing concerns about quality.Hekia Parata today released statistics saying the Maori participation...

Playgrounds advocates say kids need more risk

Kiwi kids are being wrapped in cotton wool and need to learn how to deal with risk.

Schools eager to share expertise

Auckland stuff.co.nz
"Often teachers have to move out of the classroom to progress. This is another pathway." One Tree Hill College acting principal Mark Barlow says while the finer details are hazy "you have to start every initiative somewhere". The diverse group of ...

Preschool uptake nears Govt target 

The Education Minister has welcomed an increase in Maori and Pasifika children participating in early childhood education - despite ongoing concerns about quality. Hekia Parata yesterday released statistics saying the Maori participation...

Ministry of Education has 'no intention' of closing struggling Salisbury School

Stuff.co.nz
The Ministry of Education says it has no intention to close Salisbury School, despite its declining roll. The specialist school for girls with high needs has just nine students currently enrolled; down from 15 in July last year and 22 in 2013. On ...

Editorial: We all benefit if students learn second language 

Eight years ago, a new primary and secondary school curriculum spoke glowingly of the benefits of knowing another language. In that, it was absolutely correct. Yet the same document did not go so far as to offer much of an incentive...

Are smartphones a vital education tool?

Educators NZ
New research from a University of Canterbury PhD education student says universities and schools are realising the advantages of cellphones as an integral part of learning. Mazhar Syed says his ongoing research, supervised by Dr Wendy Fox-Turnbull, ...

Universities and schools realising advantages of cell phones

Scoop.co.nz (press release)
Universities and schools are realising the advantages of cell phones as an integral part of learning, a University of Canterbury PhD education student says. Mazhar Syed says his ongoing research, supervised by Dr Wendy Fox-Turnbull, shows that 99 ...

Students congratulate world-ranked universities

The New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA), which speaks on behalf of the interests of New Zealand’s 400,000 tertiary students, congratulates New Zealand’s eight universities for their stellar performance in the QS World University ...

Students say university is risking quality

Victoria University's Students' Association says the university is sacrificing quality in a race for government funding and international students.

Education researcher calls for Gloriavale School to be closed

Stuff.co.nz
Because it is a private school it sets its own curriculum and is not measured on national standards

Expanding community education in New Zealand

Chalkle has partnered with UNESCO to support 3 community champions across New Zealand to kickstart learning communities.

Ten subjects ranked in top 200

Ten subjects taught at the University of Waikato have been recognised as among the best in the world.

Tool launched to improve outcomes for Māori students

Tool launched to improve outcomes for Māori students A self-review tool to help boards of trustees to improve outcomes for Māori students by evaluating and improving cultural responsiveness in their school has just been jointly launched by the Ministry ...

How to keep even non-sporty kids active

Julz Darroch has worked for 20 years in the fitness industry. She has been a fitness trainer, gym owner, and has worked in community organisations in education and training. She's also been a contributor to parenting magazines and websites.

Expanding community education in New Zealand

Chalkle has partnered with UNESCO to support 3 community champions across New Zealand to kickstart learning communities.

Wellington schools want pool funding reinstated 

The days of passing the school pool key around may dry up if someone doesn't step in and pick up the bill. 

Community spirit strong at Owairaka School

Auckland stuff.co.nz
Owairaka school principal Brenda Williams was "blown away by the generosity of the community" after recieving a cheque for $2155.37 on April 28. The donation was raised as part of the Mount Roskill Warehouse Bags for Good campaign which saw locals ...

Rebuilding relationships with iwi key to Witt's future

Taranaki Daily News
On Monday, a hui held at New Plymouth's polytech attracted more than 40 Maorileaders from across a range of sectors, including business, education and the social services. It was an opportunity for the group to discuss ideas about how Witt could work ...

Rototuna Junior High appoints two deputy principals 

The staff at a new Hamilton school has grown with the addition of two deputy principals.

'Let your ADHD kids fidget' says new study

3News NZ
A new study shows that children with ADHD should be allowed to fidget because it helps them learn. This means toe-tapping, leg-swinging and bouncing on medicine balls while doing a task could help them remember things better. Clinical Psychologist and ...

27-29 April 2015

Internationalisation key to student success

Steven Joyce | Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment
The growing need to internationalise the world’s universities to properly equip today’s students for our globalised world was highlighted by Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce at the FAUBAI international education conference in Cuiabá, Brazil, today. Mr Joyce provided a New Zealand perspective on the Brazilian Association for International Education conference themes of partnerships, equity and internationalisation. ...

Event recognises International education links

Louise Upston | Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment

Associate Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Louise Upston has tonight highlighted the importance of Chinese international students in Christchurch. Speaking this evening’s opening ceremony for Cultural China – Splendid Sichuan at the Air Force Museum in Wigram, Ms Upston recognised the passionate interest the Sichuan and Christchurch regions share. ...

Digitisations means educators need to adapt teaching styles

Educators NZ
The study aimed to gauge the state of mobile technology adoption in the classroom and the importance of mobility and digital tools in education. “Surprisingly, the study found that far from being reluctant to admit mobile devices to classrooms ...

Strong Māori response to UE change

Radio New Zealand
He said some schools or students may not have received or fully understood the changes, but the Ministry of Education and schools were already working on ensuring it did not happen again. Figures from Universities New Zealand show 70 per cent of ...

Fewer pupils learning language

The percentage of students learning a second language in New Zealand secondary schools has dropped to its lowest in over 80 years.Last year, just one in five students, or 20.3 per cent, were enrolled to study a second language -...

Martin East: Monolingualism - inflexible, insensitive and arrogant

Lincoln Tan makes an important, and worrying, assertion when he writes that the percentage of students learning an additional language in New Zealand's secondary schools

Ministry videos to help deaf education

Educators NZ
The Ministry of Education has released the last of a series of videos containing guidance for deaf youth and others involved in their education. The Ministry of Education last year held a National Deaf Youth Hui, bringing together deaf youth aged 12 ...

Problem solving in a modern world

Educators NZ
The seminar will take teachers and educators through a creative process that will help them design for better results in the classroom and equip students to be shapers of knowledge as opposed to passive learners. At the event educators will learn about ...

NZ universities rank in world’s top 100 in subject rankings

New Zealand’s universities rank amongst the best in the world with all eight universities making the top 100 in at least one subject according to an international report released today.

Massey University gains high placings in world subject rankings

Massey University has received a top honour, with three of its subjects being ranked in the world's top 100.

Otago becomes first NZ university to make top 10 in world list

Otago University has ranked eighth in the world for its Dentistry course - the highest-ranked subject from any New Zealand university in the latest world university rankings.

University students take a stand against racism

3News NZ
"I, Too. Am Auckland" is a video study highlighting the offensive slurs and discrimination Maori and Pacific Island students experience. They collated stories from 40 students detailing their sometimes shocking experiences of discrimination. Sarah ...

Teaching our youngest: Getting care right isn't child's play

It's 11am on a Thursday at Mt Albert Playcentre and a toddler has just covered most of herself in red paint. Another child is splashing happily at the wet area playing "cafes", while nearby, a mum reads a book with her child at an...

Editorial: Baby needs at odds with older tots' learning

Our investigation of early childhood education last week found a problem that invites an obvious solution. A frazzled teacher told us she was ready to quit over working conditions so intense she felt she could not give the children...

School's doors were never closing

Auckland stuff.co.nz
The focus at Wesley Intermediate is to improve the board's responsibilities in student achievement, overseeing the quality and design of the curriculum and as an employer. Assistant principal Lou Reddy says being the staff representative on the board ...

Awanuiārangi welcome new CEO

Māori Television
Earlier this year after an inquiry, Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi was cleared of any mismanagement of funds which saw them repay $5.9 million to the Tertiary Education Commission. Doherty says, “We addressed the issue and why it happened and to ...

Te Wānanga o Aotearoa celebrate 30 years

Māori Television
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa held their 30th Anniversary in Te Awamutu, with a student a part of the first intake, to a current student who still sees the values it was built on. Celebrating three decades of a Māori led institution that is built on Māori values.

Gloriavale - what exactly is being taught in school?

Educators NZ
Liz Gordon, co-convenor of the Quality Public Education Coalition, today released information stemming from three years of research into what kind of education was taking place at the community's Gloriavale Christian Community School. In a statement ...
Gloriavale Christian Community School: What does it teach?

Salisbury School fears end as roll drops to nine

Teaching kids to care about the environment

Stuff.co.nz
Newbury Primary School teacher and leader in the enviroschool, Scott Higginson, and Horizon Environmental educator, Helen Thomas, show off the school's weta hotel, which is part of its successful enviro schools curriculum. 

Thursday 23 April 2015

NZ schools to welcome more Penguins 

Steven Joyce | Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment
Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce today announced New Zealand has been chosen as the preferred destination to host secondary school students from Chile on the Chilean Government’s scholarship scheme ‘Penguins Without Borders’. In July approximately 80 students will be welcomed to at least 40 schools in Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland. ...

New $53 million Rolleston School unveiled

Stuff.co.nz
The school is expected to start with a roll of 225 year 9 students, with 1040 students by 2021. It will have a 500 seat theatre and an international netball sized gym. Establishment Board chairwoman Jackie Freeman said the board felt plenty of pressure ...

Peter Hughes: Parents can place their trust in early childhood education

There has been a lot of debate about how good New Zealand's early childhood education is in these pages this week. That's a good thing. You are entitled to hear every side of the story when it comes to the care of your kids. But not...

Mum forced to re-enrol boy

A mum who removed her 3-year-old from childcare because he hated it so much he was making himself sick was warned by Work and Income to re-enrol him or have her benefit cut.The woman was so stressed about finding a new place for...

Why some kids are more likely to be popular at school

Stuff.co.nz
Children who are good at predicting what people are thinking and feeling are more likely to be popular in school, says a new Australian study. Lead author Virginia Slaughter, professor of psychology at the University of Queensland said: "Our findings...

Thousands of Auckland students affected by education reforms

Thousands of students in Auckland suburbs including Ellerslie, Lynfield and Te Atatu will be part of a radical education reform that aims to spread the best teaching and leadership.Education Minister Hekia Parata has announced another...

Teachers continue to reject controversial $359m education pl

Scoop.co.nz (press release)
The latest announcement that just 129 further schools have expressed interest in the Government's controversial $359 million Investing in Educational Success scheme is a clear indication of the lack of confidence that teachers and principals have in ...

Hutt secondary schools lifting student achievement

Scoop.co.nz (press release)
The New Zealand Qualifications Authority recently published student NCEA achievement data for every school in the country. “It's great to see an increased number of students in the Hutt achieving NCEA Level 1. That's a vital first step on the road to ...

College students build Gallipoli into a video game

Dozens of Auckland teenagers have spent thousands of hours painstakingly recreating a virtual 1915 Gallipoli.

Teachers continue to reject controversial $359m education pl

Scoop.co.nz (press release)
The latest announcement that just 129 further schools have expressed interest in the Government's controversial $359 million Investing in Educational Success scheme is a clear indication of the lack of confidence that teachers and principals have in ...

Aged 15 – 18? Want to make a difference?

The free programme aims to increase confidence, provide job opportunities and develop new friendships for young people, via a variety of team activities and creative projects that will provide challenges and opportunities for attendees to develop key life ...

Wednesday 22 April 2015

Next wave of Communities of Schools 

Hekia Parata | Education
Education Minister Hekia Parata says 129 schools from across the country have signed up for the second round of Communities of Schools. The schools, which together have more than 45,000 students, will form 18 new Communities of Schools dedicated to systematically lifting the quality of teaching and learning in their classrooms. “I’m delighted that these new communities will join the first 11 that I announced in December. This brings the total number of communities formed to 29,” Ms Parata says. ...

Field of Remembrance established

Hekia Parata | Education

Education Minister Hekia Parata today helped students at Titahi Bay’s Ngāti Toa School establish a Field of Remembrance as part of a nationwide project to highlight the service and sacrifice of young New Zealanders during World War One. Ms Parata says she was delighted to participate in the exercise. “World War One was a defining point in New Zealand history. It is important that today’s generation learn of the sacrifice of their forebears and the part the war played in establishing New Zealanders’ sense of national identity.” ...

Joyce to strengthen links in Latin America

Steven Joyce | Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment

Strengthening education and trade links will be the focus of Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce’s first visit to Latin America. This afternoon Mr Joyce departs for a 10-day visit to Chile, Colombia and Brazil with a delegation of university representatives and the Executive Director of Universities New Zealand. ...

Early childhood teacher ready to quit

Rana became an early chilhood teacher because she wanted to help give children the best start in life.But less than three years after graduating, she is ready to quit, frustrated with working conditions that mean she can't give...

Growing call for early education inquiry

Calls for an inquiry into the quality of early childhood education have been met with support from opposition parties, but the Government says it isn't warranted.Those involved in former reviews were hesitant to back a further investigation,...

Tech expo to showcase new tech in NZ schools

Educators NZ
The Tech Expo is a digital enablement event that will support growth for SME business and schools and enhance consumer awareness of digital technologies that support living in a technologically advanced world. Ann Verboeket, chair of the Kapiti Digital...

New Whanau Ora approach could "overturn" Maori welfare

Stuff.co.nz
An investment approach to funding Whanau Ora projects could "overturn the social service industry" and push Maori towards higher education, the Maori Development Minister says. Te Ururoa Flavell has lauded the early efforts of commissioning agency Te ...

New Principal Appointed at Wairoa College

Scoop.co.nz
Current Principal Brian Simpson and his staff have significantly raised student achievement and Brian leaves the college with solid foundations for building on success. Dr Allen begins in the position on 2 June 2015 and looks forward to a long ...

Tuesday 21 April 2015

Teaching our youngest: Fears profit put before kids

Educators fear profits are coming before kids as the number of commercial operators entering the early childhood market continues to grow.Critics say the large, for-profit franchises are driving out community organisations, including...

NZEI calls for inquiry into quality of early education

The rapid rise of market-driven early childhood education is putting many children at risk of missing out on quality learning in their early years.

Teachers' union calls for early childhood ed inquiry

A teachers' union has called for an inquiry into the quality of early childhood education in the wake of a series of Herald stories.NZEI believes the rapid rise of market-driven early childhood education is putting many children...

Core Education looks to empower Maori with e-learning

Educators NZ
At the beginning of next month, Core Education is hosting an event called, 'Modern Pathways to Raising Maori Achievement'. Targeted at teachers and leaders in both primary and secondary schools, the seminar will explore ways schools can create ...

BYOD in the classroom: The benefits

Educators NZ
However, a growing number of educators are saying it's important for education systems to provide students and staff with the tools they need to build proper schools for the 21st century, and this means integrating technology into the classroom ...

Is our childcare up to scratch?

Otago Daily Times
... acceptable," Ms Wells said. The minister said she was focused on both participation and quality. "Along with their education and care," Ms Parata said, "the health and safety of every child attending an ECE service or kohanga reo is of the...

Learning from the past

It was meant to be an academic research project looking at the portrayal of the Anzac legend in New Zealand schools.

Monday 20 April 2015

Early childcare services red-flagged

New Zealand Herald
... acceptable," Ms Wells said. The minister said she was focused on both participation and quality. "Along with their education and care," Ms Parata said, "the health and safety of every child attending an ECE service or kohanga reo is of the utmost ...

Playgrounds are too PC, give them junk 

Children can learn more from a collection of old tyres and tin cans than from a perfectly manicured, politically correct playground.

Sexuality in Schools 

The University of Canterbury's College of Education has been trialling a full sexuality paper for 2 semesters, exploring issues beyond biology to include the emotional, social, intellectual and ethical aspects of sexuality. Senior course tutor Tracy Clelland and her colleagues are calling for more resources for all sex education teachers to ensure their students develop respectful attitudes and positive relationships.

Apprenticeship scheme launched 

The He Toki ki te Mahi Apprenticeship Training Trust was launched by Prime Minister, the Rt Hon John Key at Rehua Marae in Christchurch this evening.

Award-winning agriculture student gets the job done

Stuff.co.nz
As well as studying and working fulltime as president of the Lincoln UniversityStudents' Association, she has 41 high-breeding-worth heifer calves that are in the top 5 per cent of New Zealand crossbreds and destined for her father's herd. Fryer won ...

Unitec to deliver foundation education for Police recruits

Unitec Institute of Technology is privileged to have been selected to deliver New Zealand Police's distance learning for new Police recruits across the country.

Friday 17 April 2015

Melbourne job fair this weekend 

Steven Joyce | Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment
The final event in the current New Zealand job fair series in Australia will take place in Melbourne this weekend, Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce and Associate Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Louise Upston announced today. The Melbourne event is the fourth in the series, following the Perth and Sydney fairs in November 2014, and the Brisbane fair last month. ...

Education sector not immune to the effects of digitisation

Educators NZ
Jan-Martin Lowendahl, analyst and vice president at analyst firm Gartner, says traditional educational business models are being fundamentally challenged by digitalisation. "Social and economic pressures are forcing senior education leaders to rethink ...

The Mind Lab: Igniting innovation in students and teachers

Educators NZ
The offering is the result of a collaboration between New Zealand's Unitec Institute of Technology and a specialist education lab dedicated to enhancing digital capability and collaborative teaching methods in the classroom. ... “To better educate our ...

Decile Funding Review Must Consider Teacher Quality

The New Zealand Initiative has welcomed a review of the controversial decile funding system for schools, reported by the Sunday Star Times last weekend. Minister of Education Hekia Parata announced the government will review how it targets educational resources.

Horouta kura the new school to be built in Gisborne

Gisborne Herald
TE KURA Kaupapa Maori o Horouta Wananga students will soon have a school of their own. The new kura kaupapa school announced by the Ministry of Education this week will be built for the marae-based students. Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Horouta ...

A Culture of Success at King’s College

A Culture of Success at King’s College King’s College rower Oliver Maclean credits a culture of success in his selection for Rowing New Zealand’s Under-18 North Island team. Sixteen-year-old Oliver, who has been selected as part of a crew of four, shows ...

Hamilton high school set to go up fast

Construction is about to start in earnest at Hamilton's new high school.

Thursday 16 April 2015

$1.9m to grow Māori science & innovation

Steven Joyce | Maori Development
Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce and Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell today announced the third annual investment in the Vision Mātauranga Science Fund, which was established to grow skills and capacity in science and innovation and support outcomes that benefit Māori and New Zealand. “A total of $1.9 million will be invested in 17 new programmes over the next two years,” Mr Joyce says. “This is in addition to the $2.4 million invested in 2013 and $1.8 million in 2014. ...

New TEI Council members appointed 

Steven Joyce | Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment
Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce today announced eight council appointments to five tertiary education institutions, which include three new council members. The appointments and reappointments of council members are: ...

$1.9 million allocated to Vision Matauranga Science Fund

Māori Television
Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce and Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell announced the third annual investment in yesterday which was established to grow skills and capacity in science and innovation and support outcomes that ...

Kiwi company leaps into education market with digital literacy tool

Educators NZ
International education is New Zealand's fifth largest export earner, generating $2.85 billion in the latest year. More than $100m of that comes from the export of educational products and services. Crown agency Education New Zealand (ENZ) has ...

Government's Budget Announcements for Kids Can't Be Trusted

Scoop.co.nz (press release)
“It's hard to know whether this is deliberate penny pinching or a complete lack of understanding about the extent of the need in schools; either way children with special needs are missing out,” Green Party education spokesperson Catherine Delahunty said.

One-size-fits-all approach 'no longer suitable'

Radio New Zealand
"We expect and believe that Māori and Pasifika children will be the biggest beneficiaries of this differentiated approach, which takes into account their learning needs more carefully and closely than presently is the case in many, but certainly not...

Act Party hopeful Govt will relent over charter schools

More charter schools will be opened next year if Act Party leader David Seymour's "quiet confidence" is warranted.Education Minister Hekia Parata said in February that she had no plans to undertake another round of applications...

Review of teaching of digital tech in schools

A major review is underway into how digital and computer technology is taught in schools amid concerns that the education system has failed to recognise its importance and value to the economy. The government has asked the ministry of Education to undertake a review. The Ministry has commissioned a group of educators, students, academics and key members of the tech industry to assess how it is taught now, and what more needs to be done. Evan Blackmore, the head of Microsoft New Zealand; Professor Tim Bell, Canterbury University Director of Software Engineering Studies and 17-year-old student, Sebastian Hallum Clarke, who is set to study computer science and economics at Princeton and currently runs his own software company, Zibity, discuss.

Youngsters' chance to learn coding

The recently dubbed high-tech capital of New Zealand, Wellington, is hosting free coding courses at libraries around the region this week to promote coding in schools.The programme is aimed at children aged 12 to 18 and teaches...

Charter Schools: The Shroud of Secrecy continues…

Scoop.co.nz (press release)
The Ministry of Education finally released the ERO Readiness Review of the Whangaruru charter school in February 2015, one complete year after the school opened. The school is now under a formal review process to ascertain whether it should continue.

Massey consults on new council

Tertiary Update Vol 18 No 10 

Massey University has started to consult on the composition of its new council. Its consultation document proposes one elected academic staff representative, one elected general staff representative and one elected student representative. Meanwhile TEU and NZUSA have collaborated with ActionStation to launch a nationwide online ‘sign-and-click’ submission campaign at...

Redcliffs School given longer to build its case against closure

Redcliffs School has been given longer to build its case against its proposed closure.

Father and daughter graduate together in the Waikato

More than 30 years after his parents came to New Zealand in search of better education, Byron Seiuli will graduate alongside his eldest daughter.

Wednesday 15 April 2015

Schools $244m boost 'disappointing' - Labour 

A $244 million package to build seven new schools and expand four existing ones to meet roll growth is a "disappointing" Budget announcement, says Labour leader Andrew Little.It was simply doing what any Government should do in...

underspend punishes schools

Stuff.co.nz
The Ministry of Education says the underspend is because of the delay between announcing special education programmes and implementing them - a practice that isn't "unusual". In Wellington, Berhampore Primary School board of trustees chairman ...

Government playing politics with education announcement

Scoop.co.nz (press release)
NZEI says the Government is playing pre-Budget politics with its announcement today that it is building new schools and classrooms to cope with population growth. National President Louise 

Green says this is money that it was going to have to spend ...

Charter schools vary approach to Maori

Radio New Zealand
I think it's really exciting actually - having schools like charter schools giving them a different vehicle to find who they are and hopefully (be) successful in education." Mr Hudson said the curriculum's flexibility meant he could tailor what he ...

New kura in Budget

waateanews.com
She says children are starting education earlier, staying longer and leaving better qualified, including Maori and Pasifika kids who have not fared so well in the past. Labour leader Andrew Little says the announcement is an attempt to dress up ...

Papamoa's $8.1m education expansion

SunLive
“I am determined that all kids get the best education possible including those who have not fared so well in the past - Maori, Pasifika and kids from poorer homes. “This further funding will help meet roll growth as well as deliver school environments ...

Tuesday 14 April 2015

Budget to invest $244 million in schools 

Hekia Parata | Education
Education Minister Hekia Parata and Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye say next month’s Budget will provide $244 million of funding for new schools, additional classrooms and expansions to existing schools. The money will come from the remaining proceeds of the government’s share offer programme – channelled through the Future Investment Fund. ...

John Key: 7 new schools in Budget

3News NZ
"I am determined that all kids get the best education possible including those who have not fared so well in the past – Maori, Pasifika and kids from poorer homes." The money set aside in the Budget will also go toward the Government's plan announced...

John Key outlines Budget spending for business and education

Stuff.co.nz
... be an extra $244 million for education, including four new schools, in the Budget on May 21, Prime Minister John Key says. He's also flagged, in his pre-budget speech to Business NZ in Wellington, an $80m boost for business research and development.

Māori pass rate shocks universities

Radio New Zealand
Mr Whelan said the organisation was especially worried by statistics that show almost a quarter of Māori dropping out of university in their first year. Te Akatea New Zealand Māori Principals spokesperson Robert Clarke is urging the education sector to ...

Gordon Campbell on UE pass rates and university dropout rates

Scoop.co.nz (press release)
Houston, there is clearly a problem with (a) the plunge in pass rates for University Entrance qualifications, which has been especially steep among Maori students and also a problem with (b) the failure rates for Maori students among those who reach ...

Training for trade comp a full-time job

Forget working nine to five - a Hamilton apprentice has been doing 5am to 8pm in the leadup to a trade competition.

Students should engage with their communities 

University students should engage with their communities as part of the learning process when they get their degrees, University of Canterbury Associate Professor Billy O'Steen says.

Principal appointed for Hamilton's newest high school

Rototuna Junior High School doesn't have students yet but it has just got a principal.

Lincoln contesting megacity education market

Lincoln’s forging of new ties in one of the world’s biggest cities shows it can hold its own in a strongly competitive recruitment environment, the University’s Business Development Manager Dr Samuel Yu says.

Monday 13 April 2015

Crown twists Maori concepts say academics

At a recent hui in Ōtaki academics, lawyers and researchers came together to discuss the meaning and usage of two important words for tāngata whenua: Mātauranga and Rangatiratanga. Many of the speakers at the hui, Kei Tua o Te Pae - Re-searching Rangatiratanga, Innovating Mātauranga, urged Māori to take responsibility for how their reo is used.

Mataora

Episode 29
Maori Television
Last aired onKei Tua o te Pae: Re-searching Rangatiratanga, Innovating Mātauranga, explores and understand the unique challenges we as Māori face today. Joining the discussion are Jenny Lee and Eruera Morgan.

Ceremony marks next stage of construction

Hekia Parata | Education
Education Minister Hekia Parata today participated in a ceremony to mark the next phase of construction at the new Marshland School in northeastern Christchurch. The full primary school (Years 1-8) is presently located at 329 Prestons Road, Marshland, but is being relocated to 381 Prestons Road to enable it to better cater for current and projected roll growth in the semi-rural area. Ms Parata says the project is another sign of the Government’s commitment to rebuilding greater Christchurch’s education network. ...

More Education On Governance System

Māori Television
"From health to education to the Government structure of New Zealand and even to the social development and ethics and equity of New Zealand culture, the main themes have been around youth governance and youth participation in civic societies so civic ...

Self assessment tool on the way for Board of Trustrees

Educators NZ
A new tool is set to change the way schools' Board of Trustees measure their performance. The New Zealand School Trustees Association (NZSTA) is developing an online self-assessment tool that will allow individual boards of trustees to measure where ...

Pathways to further education

Northern Advocate
Ngati Hine gave the wood from which the NorthTec marae was built and Ngati Hine is involved in the Te Matarau programme, in which a group of iwi work with NorthTec to provide trades training to Maori and Pasifika students. NorthTec chief executive Paul ...

Massey's $130m innovation hub

Massey University is planning to spend more than $130 million in the next year to double the student capacity of its Albany campus and help create an innovation hub in Auckland.The bulk of the $130 million project will be taken...

Concerns over Rangiora High School's principal spending 

Rangiora High School has been asked to adopt a travel policy amid concerns over spending by its principal.

School a great storage locker for our children 

Spending the school holidays with your kids is a terrible idea.In 1877 the Education Act made attending primary school compulsory for all New Zealand children. Great move.It fills the heart with joy thinking about the generations...

New trade scholarship for Maori and Pasifika

New Zealand Herald
A new scholarship is being offered at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic to encourage Maoriand Pasifika people to get involved in a trade. The scholarship is being funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and the Tertiary Education ...

Virtual school keeps growing

Stuff.co.nz
"Even though students are in a school in a face-to-face classroom they will be connecting online with students in other schools and teachers in other schools to have a personalised, customised programme of learning." It also prepared students well for...

Med students study hard - at the movies

Slouching on the sofa watching movies often isn't the best way to get study done, but for medical students, a trip to the DVD store can be good for grades.Senior academics at Otago University's department of public health in Wellington...

FIGHT OBESITY: “Teach food literacy in schools” says charity

The Garden to Table Trust is urging The Government to invest in the development of gardening and cooking food skills to fight obesity in New Zealand.

Friday 10 April 2015

Strengthening school relationships with China 

Steven Joyce | Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment
Twenty schools across New Zealand have received NZ$50,000 in total to strengthen their Chinese sister school relationships, Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Steven Joyce announced today. Mr Joyce is in Shanghai to foster ties between the two countries’ marine, education and technology sectors. ...

Dedication drives up achievement

Students at a Bay of Plenty high school were so determined to pass NCEA they stayed after hours, during the holidays - and in some cases even after the year was over - to make it through.The dedication of everyone at Rotorua Girls...

Science a hit with primary school students

More than 100 primary school students had the chance to experiment with dry ice, liquid nitrogen and dissect a fish as part of a new science-based school holiday programme.

Cyberbullying in schools: the law

Educators NZ
“But where face-to-face bullying ended when the target got home from school or work, cyberbullies can use the internet or their mobile to continue attacks on victims at any time of the day or night.” “Young people are growing up with access to more and ...

Thursday 9 April 2015

New trades academy opened in Mangere

Hekia Parata | Education
Education Minister Hekia Parata and Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye say a new trades centre at the Southern Cross Campus in Mangere opened today by Prime Minister John Key will provide further options for young New Zealanders. Ms Parata says the $3.5 million investment in the Trades Academy will enable Southern Cross to provide courses on construction, plumbing, automotive engineering and robotics on site. ...

Declaration gives youth voice in policy-making

Nikki Kaye | Youth
Youth Minister Nikki Kaye was pleased to address the opening of the four-day UN Youth Declaration in Auckland today. “This is a great opportunity for young people to have a say on matters that are important to them, and for their voice to be heard,” says Ms Kaye. Over the four days, participants take part in workshops and debates covering a range of public policy areas, from education and the environment to foreign affairs, law and order and social development. ...

'Worst school' now among top performers

New Zealand Herald
If he could point to one strategy that's help lift results, Mr Couillault says it would be embracing Te Kotahitangi, a programme that supports Maori learning in a culturally sensitive way. "We've ... So poverty really does provide a barrier to ...

NCEA: Shining examples emerge from list

The order seems to be as usual when looking at the latest NCEA results - at the top are the rich schools and at the bottom, their poorer cousins.But deep in the statistics shines something bright. It is the long-maligned, low-decile...

University Entrance change hits low-decile schools hardest

Our poorest students have been hit the hardest by changes to University Entrance, with up to 50 per cent fewer pupils making it over the new threshold in low-decile areas.Full National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA)...

Consortia for Māori and Pasifika trades training announced

A new training consortium to encourage young Māori and Pasifika in the Bay of Plenty to become qualified in trades was announced by Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce earlier this week.

Conference draws leading educators

Stuff.co.nz
"Most parents wisely see there is more to an education than national standards results. Our parents tell us they want their kids to be independent, self-directing learners and want their kids to have a social conscience, they want their children to be...

National Library does about face on Services to Schools cuts

Educators NZ
From 2016 onwards, schools are being offered whole-of-school loans twice a year, for non-fiction and fiction books, tailored to support student-centred inquiry. School swill also have access to books to support reading for pleasure among students - a ...

Making a big deal of university students' needs

Stuff.co.nz
What started as a bit of entrepreneurship and the desire to help out fellow students has grown into the biggest Facebook page of its kind in New Zealand. Vic Deals was set up by marine biology student Carl Meyer, who arrived at Victoria University and ...

Winston Peters: Indian students 'flooding' NZ

3News NZ
Thousands of Indian students are "flooding into New Zealand" where they're being exploited by immigrant employers, Winston Peters says. "They're too afraid to speak out as their purpose in migrating to New Zealand is to gain permanent residence," the...

The importance of talking to babies and toddlers

Why children and babies are being spoken to less and the impact this is having on language and social development. Speech therapists Ann Locke and Amanda White discuss a recent pilot programme they ran in Wellington, raising awareness of the importance of talking to babies and toddlers.

Iconic Māori College Still Needed

Scoop.co.nz (press release)
New Zealand First Deputy Leader and Education Spokesperson Tracey Martin says the government should do more to collaborate with the Catholic church in saving Hato Petera Māori College. “The government can and should do more to keep this iconic ...

OS // OS : Opening up the Open Education conversation

Scoop.co.nz (press release)
How can open source principles shift our educational system? What can educators learn from the open source technology is built? The upcoming OS//OS conference will be a huge 2 days of big questions, inspiring brain food, practical workshops and ...

Taranaki joins $35m training scheme

Stuff.co.nz
Taranaki Futures will work with community partners Te Kupenga Matauranga o Taranaki Trust and Vaimoana Pasifika Trust and recruitment will begin shortly to find a coordinator for the project. The scholarships target 18-34 year olds ... Formed in 2014 ...

Massey And Lincoln Ag Student Numbers Up

In recent years, agriculture has struggled to compete with some of the more glamorous career options available to young people. But the tide appears to be turning.

Students taking robot to new heights

Two high school students from Tauranga and their robot will be heading to the United States this weekend hoping to become world champions.Dean Strydom of Otumoetai College and Bethlehem College's Jesse Gommans are members of the...

Wednesday 8 April 2015

Research project to improve literacy outcomes 

Hekia Parata | Education
Education Minister Hekia Parata says some of the country’s youngest students are the focus of literacy research by experts from Massey University. Professor James Chapman, Distinguished Professor Bill Tunmer and Dr Alison Arrow have designed the Massey University Early Literacy research project to broaden the range of literacy teaching strategies and complement existing ones for teachers. ...

$5m school digital advisory service launched

Nikki Kaye | Education

Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye has welcomed the launch of a new advisory service aimed at helping schools make the most of rapidly expanding opportunities for digital learning. “The service enables teachers to get expert help, either online or over the phone, on any questions they have about digital learning,” says Ms Kaye. “There are all sorts of digital devices and online learning tools available today that can make learning more engaging, more fun and more effective. ...

High-performing school snubbed because of 'brown' community

New Zealand Herald
In its last Education Review Office report, the decile two primary which has no zone was rated as "an asset in the local community", with "highly engaged students" who "make good progress and generally achieve well". Robyn Curry: "I worry sometimes ...

Novopay survives start of school year

The troubled Novopay payroll system has successfully come through the busiest period in the school year, the Government says.Minister Responsible for Novopay, Steven Joyce, said during the start-of-year period information for 40,000...

University enrolments suffer

Universities say a drop in the number of school leavers and a fall in the University Entrance pass rate have cost them nearly a thousand students this year.

Students get closer to action

He groans, he bleeds and if things go really wrong, he can even die on the table.A $150,000 mannequin named "Thomas" is a shining star of the new paramedicine department of AUT University's Manukau campus.The unit opened this...

New Plymouth Boys' High School principal has a lot to learn, says PPTA

Stuff.co.nz
"He's got a lot of learning to do about what a modern classroom looks like. "The evidence does support the idea that a principal is a teacher. The challenge is going to be greater for him, he has got a bit more work to do than a regular principal would ...

Tuesday 7 April 2015

Māori & Pasifika Trades Training expands 

Steven Joyce | Maori Development
The Government today announced further expansion of the Māori & Pasifika Trades Training initiative with the selection of three new consortia to join the scheme. The three join 12 providers already chosen to assist young Māori and Pasifika people to gain qualifications, New Zealand apprenticeships and employment in trades that are in demand across the country. ...

Much better start of year for Novopay

Steven Joyce | Novopay

Minister Responsible for Novopay, Steven Joyce, has congratulated school administrators and Novopay staff and contractors for the strongest result yet for the busiest payroll period in the school year. Mr Joyce has today released reports on complaints and notifications for Pay Periods 22-26, which is known as the Start-of-Year period. During the Start-of-Year period, administrators and the payroll company must enter and re-enter payroll information for some 40,000 new and returning staff for the start of the school year. ...

Decile rating changes put squeeze on schools

Some of Taranaki's smaller schools are feeling the squeeze following government changes to the way they are funded.

Education companies now on same wavelength

New Zealand-based international education company Cognition Education is buying online learning company Wavelength for an undisclosed sum.The two companies work in similar sectors, with Cognition Education focusing on face-to-face...

Te Reo plan 'overlooks' urban Maori

Radio New Zealand
However, the politicians have asked the group to think about a number of factors, including the role of iwi, Maori and the Crown; the future role of the Maori Language Commission; public accountability; and how the education sector fits in to the wider...

Scope of preschool ID alerts watchdog

Pressure to broaden the use of identification numbers attached to preschoolers has concerned the Privacy Commissioner.Most children in early childhood education (ECE) have been assigned a national student number under a new Government...

Computers take learning out of equation

No more listicles. I just read a listicle about 12 things to get yourself through hard times. First suggestion: "Google state parks and see which ones hire canoes." Oh, do sod right off, pal.Instead I went shopping with our 10-year-old...

Lincoln University employed fraudulent consultant

Stuff.co.nz
Some staff at Lincoln are concerned Roger Pikia - who boasts creating "new revenue streams" for the university on his LinkedIn profile - is a risk to the university'sreputation. But vice-chancellor Andrew West, who has known Pikia since 2004 ...

Thursday 2 April 2015

ISTP impressed with IES 

Hekia Parata | Education
Education Minister Hekia Parata is returning to New Zealand after attending the International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) in Canada. The fifth annual Summit in Banff saw ministers, teachers, leaders and experts from the world’s top-performing nations in education come together to discuss best teaching practice. Ms Parata led New Zealand’s delegation comprising PPTA President Angela Roberts, NZEI President Louise Green, and NZPF President Denise Torrey. ...

$6.3m upgrade for Mahurangi College Warkworth

Nikki Kaye | Education

Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye announced today that work has begun on a $6.3 million property upgrade at Mahurangi College in Warkworth, North Auckland. “I visited Mahurangi College today to see the work that is now underway. “The college has experienced weather-tightness issues with a number of buildings, and it’s pleasing to see this being addressed. “The current project includes repairing the college’s water-damaged junior block and library, and rebuilding the arts block. ...

UE changes affect boys more than girls

Radio New Zealand
The chief executive of Auckland's COMET education trust, Susan Warren, said changes to the subjects required for UE appear to have had more impact on students at lower decile schools. "Many of the young people who were Year 13 last year had made...

St Bede's board member resigns over rowing row

A member of the St Bede's College Board of Trustees has joined a procession of resignations at the school in the wake of a public row over an airport incident.

St Bedes rowing saga sets legal precedent

A law expert says legal action against a Christchurch school that decided to ban two pupils from a rowing event, shows parents can now buy their children out of trouble.

Uncovering science's potential

SunLive
This compares with 14 per cent of the national population expected to be Maori by 2063. The recently released Bay of Plenty Tertiary Intentions Strategy notes: “In the Bay of Plenty, increasing engagement and participation of Māori youth in tertiary ...

Sustainable Farming Fund backs web-based education resource

Scoop.co.nz
Federated Farmers says a web-based education resource, to educate students on the value of plant nutrients will help the next generation of New Zealanders understand how agriculture systems work. The Sustainable Farming Fund has just announced ...

New Plymouth Boys' High School gets a new principal

Stuff.co.nz
A former student has been appointed to the top job at New Plymouth Boys' HighSchool. Paul Veric was officially announced as the school's new headmaster on Thursday following the departure of Michael McMenamin. A former head boy at NPBHS, 1991, ...

Five top doctoral theses honoured

Scoop.co.nz (press release)
This thesis explored the reasons for Pasifika learner success in English-mediumclassrooms, and the particular actions that teachers, leaders and facilitators enacted in enabling these learners to connect the languages, literacy practices and ...