News In Brief

Schools still uneasy about National Standards

Almost half of the Boards of Trustees in New Zealand are still concerned about National Standards, according to a recent survey by the New Zealand Principals’ Federation (NZPF).

The survey, completed prior to schools closing in December 2009, asked principals if their boards had discussed National Standards – 98 per cent were aware of the debate currently taking place about National Standards, and 70 per cent had discussed how the standards might impact their school.

“Many of New Zealand’s school leaders remain seriously concerned about the negative impacts of the National Standards policy,” says NZPF president Ernie Buutveld. “49 per cent of all Boards who responded either have serious misgivings or some disquiet about the standards. Less than three per cent are prepared to say they unanimously support National Standards and the timeline as set out in NAG 2A,” he says.

The survey findings reiterated a mid-year survey by the NZPF, where almost 90 per cent of school principals were either opposed to or had real concerns about National Standards.

Buutveld says the survey results are damning news for the National Standards policy. “Boards of Trustees are charged with the governance of our children’s education. Half of them still have concerns about National Standards, even after informed discussion. Surely these results show both the Minister and her Ministry that this policy needs to be halted and trialled before any decision is taken to fully implement across the country.”

Room 20 from Dawson School in Otara with their successful strawberries.

Dawson school gets growing

Room 20 from Dawson School in Otara, Auckland has won $10,000 in the Fresh n Fruity national education programme which encouraged students to grow strawberries over a nine week period. The class was chosen because of the sheer volume of work and the creativity involved in the students entry.

The school plans to use the money to build a kitchen so that students can learn how to cook healthy, nutritious meals.

“We are ecstatic that we won,” says teacher, Janine Pieterse. “The students put a huge amount of effort into this initiative and it is a great surprise for us all.”

The Fresh n Fruity Get Growing programme was designed to get students involved in gardening and learn skills involved in growing fruit.

Bright sparks wanted

Applications are now open for Variety – The Children’s Charity’s Gold Heart Scholarship Programme, which provides talented Kiwi kids who are sick, disabled or disadvantaged with $5,000 and matches them with a mentor to help them to reach their goals.

“CMC Markets will once again generously fund six educational scholarships and we look forward to receiving applications from young Kiwis aged up to 18 who are interested in pursuing dreams in the education field, as well as in the fields of music, art and sport,” says Variety CEO Lorraine Taylor.

One of the many inspirational recipients of the scholarship is Daniel Holt, who recently returned from the Paralympic World Championships with a bronze medal.

His motto is “put in the miles, reap the rewards” and, with this in mind, he is well on target to fulfill his dream to be at the 2012 Paralympics in London. His visual impairment due to albinism has not stood in the way of his dreams and Blind Sport CEO Ray McLeod says Daniel’s future in his chosen sport is promising and he is on track to compete in the 2011 IBSA World Championships and the 2012 London Paralympics.

Applications for the 2010 Variety Gold Heart Scholarship programme close on March 31, 2010. For further information or to download an application form, please go to www.variety.org.nz.

Trades get the thumbs up

Careers in the trades, technical and associated professions get the thumbs up by 16-year-old students according to a recent survey by the New Zealand Council for Educational Research (NZCER).

Events Calendar

March 2010

Digital Cyber Safety – Supporting safe student and teacher practice

March 1 – 18, Various locations www.core-ed.net

Effective Teachers of Writing

March 23, Auckland www.learningnetwork.ac.nz

April 2010

Get Outside! Education Outside the Classroom

April 6 – 9, Porirua - www.trcc.org.nz

NZEALS International Educational Leadership Conference

April 7 – 9, Christchurch www.nzeals.org.nz/conf10/index.htm

Montessori Aotearoa New Zealand 2010 Conference

April 10 - 13, Canterbury www.montessori.org.nz/conference

Distance Education Association of New Zealand Conference

April 25 – 28, Wellington www.deanz.org.nz

Fourteen per cent of the young New Zealanders surveyed aspire to a trades career – equal to the number who said they would prefer a career in management. The technician and associated professional category was the strongest preference with 61 per cent interested.

Young people see trades and technical careers rewarding both financially and personally. The prospect of enjoyment and personal reward was cited by 82 per cent of those who expressed interest in technical and associated professional careers and 63 per cent of young people who expressed interest in the trades; 38 and 39 per cent respectively said the potential for external reward and lifestyle from these careers appealed.

The survey, Competent Children, Competent Learners, has been tracking around 500 New Zealand young people from early childhood education through schooling and beyond and the latest findings come from the age-16 phase of the project. To read a summary of the key findings go to: www.educationcounts.govt.nz/ publications/series/2567/35117/7

Early Childhood Council Annual Conference

May 7 – 9, Christchurch www.ecc.org.nz/conference/home.html

Inclusive Learning Technologies Conference 2010

May 25 – 28, Surfers Paradise www.spectronics.co.nz/conference/

Dyslexia aware best practice – the new teaching paradigm

May 31, Auckland www.4d.org.nz/workshops/

June 2010

4D Advanced – achieving the 4D Edge

Vegetarian teaching resources

Sanitarium Nutrition Service has launched a new senior home economics teaching resource called Vegetarian Choice for the 2010 school year.

The teaching resource is aimed at year 12 home economics students who are completing a vegetarian unit as part of their NCEA assessment, and has been updated to meet new curriculum and nutrition recommendations.

Paige Ashby, clinical nutritionist for Sanitarium Nutrition Service, says Vegetarian Choice is designed to be an inspirational way for teachers and students to explore vegetarian eating.

“We’ve incorporated practical cooking lessons, as well some online lessons that feature videos, to make the curriculum fun and engaging for students and teachers alike.”

Vegetarian Choice comprises of 22 lesson plans including: practical cooking lessons; classroom and online lessons; and a homework project. See www.vegetarianchoice. sanitarium.co.nz for further details.

June 1, Auckland www.4d.org.nz/workshops/

Interventions – beyond great teaching, un-sticking the 4%

June 2, Auckland www.4d.org.nz/workshops/

Leaders – creating change through vision and empowerment

June 3, Auckland www.4d.org.nz/workshops/

Pre-School – the ABC of early identification

June 3, Auckland www.4d.org.nz/workshops/

Supplier Profi le | Taymac Engineering

Taymac boilers offer effi ciency and versatility

HUNDREDS OF SCHOOLS count on Taymac Heatpak boilers to provide a comfortable environment for our country’s children.

The versatility of the Taymac Heatpak boiler is allowing costeffective conversion from traditional coal fuels to wood pellets and wood chip. Benefi ts include substitution of a renewable, carbon-neutral fuel and reduced ash production while maintaining security of supply through multi-fuel capability - wood pellets, wood chip and coal.

In most cases, an upgrade of an existing boiler is all that is required, and government grants can be available. Where replacement of an older unit is necessary, a new Taymac Heatpak boiler can be supplied fully equipped, to run on coal, wood pellets or wood chip.

With the Taymac Heatpaks’ effi cient 3-pass design, variable speeds for boiler control and automatic ignition, it achieves effi ciencies of up to 85 percent.

The boiler shuts down overnight and at weekends, automatically relighting in the morning.

Whether upgrading an existing boiler or installing a new Taymac Heatpak, schools benefi t from the proven longevity of the Taymac Heatpak boiler’s multi-fuel capability for energy security, local supply of spare parts and expertise.

19 Taurus Place, Bromley, Christchurch P | 03 389 7149 F | 03 389 7078

Taymac Heatpak boiler