Hopes and dreams of the next generation

This week, last year's teaching graduates will face their students for the first time. Become Sir or Miss or get-down-to-the-kids'-level with a first name policy. Attempt to apply the school's bullying policy to the fight they discover on their lunchtime duty round. Grapple with the Zip in the staffroom. Deal with the parent who believes Samuel's bad behaviour can be excused by his unrecognised genius. 
All these shiny and new graduates entering the teaching profession. How long will it be before the phrase “you don’t understand cos you’ve not got your own kids” or “Wait til you have your own kids, it’ll make you a better teacher”.
Not so bad it they are from frustrated parents or a hacked grandmother whose left holding ‘the bag’. But if they are heard from the lips of your senior teacher it can be soul destroying. All of these new grads not just the ones mentioned in the article,  with dreams of impacting a generation. Well, let’s wish them well. More over let’s wish them a supportive senior teacher and motivated staff.

Helpful hints for new teachers:

• Focus on your kids- They are your responsibility.
• Prep your room- The enviroment is central to the tone of a classroom.
• Get the routines running- If the kids know what they're doing when they'll be more settled.
• Succeed at Reading and Maths - everything else is forgiveable.
• Set the tone from the get go- You can always lighten up later but you start too friendly you'll never claw it back.

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Biscuits the thin end of the heart condition wedge

41 per cent of [parents] surveyed still regularly include biscuits.
The data here is a little confusing based on the facty that parent put multiple items in their kid’s lunch.
It is important to maintain that parental choice is essential. Parental education on healthy choices for lunch needs to be emphasised. But teachers sliding this through the ‘back door’ by growling kids about what is in the lunchbox is counterproductive. The reality is that they have little if any say in the contents of their lunchbox.
This method undermines parental authority and has potential for discent in the home. Teachers expect our support with reinforcing school messages around socialisation and school structure, we should expect positive support with lunchbox choices. Besides the most encouraging research finding is that 88 per cent of Kiwi kids' lunchboxes contain a piece of fruit. So what’s the big deal?
Noone is asking the right question...
At what age did you kids poo stop sinking?
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ECE options zero: Suck it up

Many childhood centres are already proposing fee hikes with the Early Childhood Education revenue cuts, announced in last year’s Government Budget becoming effective at the beginning of next week.
Many have risen there prices already, grabbing a few grand with the overlap. But that is far from lasting them any time at all.
But then what choice is there for us as parents. We’re in full time employment, can;t afford to give it up, our kid is settled and most if not all centres in our area are also raising costs. There is no other option than to ‘suck it up’.
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Death of the Senior Management

Schools could experience a senior management shortage if star teachers continue to be poached by wealthy overseas countries and high workloads persist, teachers say.
Gone are the days when teaching is classified as a vocation over a career. Now is the time were career progression is not merely limited to curriculum co-ordinator>> senior teacher>> AP>>DP>> Principal. Now the options are beyond the classroom, the school. Even options extend into the private sector with training and HR posts. There are now many opportunities overseas too, especially for the most gifted and talented of teachers.
The position of a senior management role is becoming less and less desireable and income increases do not put more time into a 24 hour period. Who would want to run a school if you were offered a higher paid, less stressful position in sunnier climes.
This is the end of the road classroom career. Is this going to mean the end of quality senior management too?
So much of the Principal role is HR and budgets its crazy. They should forgo a DP role and employ a Business manager or Office Manager that can take those Admin tasks away and leave the Principal to LEAD the school.
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Something just isn't adding up with New Zealand's child provision

 New Zealand’s education system rating as the best in the world.  Which is as I said in my OECD video at the beginning of the month.

But with our measure’s in the 20 ‘free’ hours for pre-schooler’s being slated by Child Poverty Action Group's Susan St John and only 82% of children under age six able to access free primary healthcare services there is still much to do for children. 

How can the NCEA qualification be being called into question if our education system is touted as the best in the world? 

Something is just not right here.

Answers on post to the usual address.

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