This week’s hot topic: National Standards

With school charters and national standards information due tomorrow there is much concern over the issue. The vast majority of schools will be delivering results to the Ministry. There are however, a few hundred schools from around the country which are  refusing to hand over the information.

Whether you are of the opinion that National Standards will raise achievement across the country and add in a layer of accountability that was lacking. Or think that National Standards endangers the flexibility in the curriculum and compromises the enjoyment of education. The fact remains that this issue continues to be a 'hot button topic'. 


Related news articles:

• Teacher only days to ease NCEA standards 
• PPTA welcomes support days
  
• Schools across NZ join forces
• Government Steps Up National Standards Bullying
• Rebels to call Govt's bluff
• School Boards to deliver No to National Standards  

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Training your kid to cross the road is harder than you think

There are many courteous road users in the provinces compared to the main centres of New Zealand but its not always the most helpful.

Understanding traffic and road safety doesn't necessarily come naturally. We need to teach our children how to be safe pedestrians. It's not just about telling them what to do - children learn from what adults do, so you need to model safe behaviour.

So with that in mind we took to the streets this afternoon. Whilst trying to train my 5 year old to cross the road with care I got somewhat frustrated by the number of drivers who saw I was with a child, slowed to a stop and waved us across.

They are good and kind people but I do not want to give my child the impression that cars stop for you when you are wanting to cross the road. Under no circumstances do I want him to be under the illusion that it is the drivers’ responsibility to ensure his safety.

We walked the city centre of Hastings looking for crossings and opportunities to talk about ‘sneaky driveways’, different places to cross and dangers of parked cars. I’m hoping he is a little wiser today but the trick to this is to take EVERY opportunity your can to reinforce these lessons. Here’s hoping we can take five more minutes in our journey to do it right.

Little eyes are watching and learning from actions.

Resources are available to assist us in educating our kids:

• Road safety tips to teach your children
• Help funding road safety initiatives in your local area
• Further reading around New Zealand Road Safety Research

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MADE Awards 2011 update1

MADE Awards are pleased to partner with Noel Leeming this year. It means there will be thirteen ipads up for grabs at the awards ceremony. They will be giving away one ipad for every winner in the movie categories, as well as six HD digital cameras for the digital image category winners.
Weta Workshop were so impressed with the MADE Awards in 2010 that they have agreed to be the judge for the Supreme Award for 2011 and are contributing to the Supreme Award prize (as well as another ipad of course!)

So get creating in your classes and be in to win some fabulous prizes for your school!

Dates to remember:

• Closing Entry date - 4pm, Monday 3rd October, 2011 (Term 3, Week 10)
• Finalists Announced on www.madeawards.com - Week 1, Term 4, 2011
• Awards Ceremony at Baycourt, Tauranga - 7pm, Thursday 10th November, 2011 (Term 4, Week 3)

Watch the website for details…
We will be updating the page as the online registration becomes available…

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Global Gender Gap Index 2010: New Zeland

Patricia Lara, Wellington, New Zealand

 'Do you think there is a need for more emphasis on women’s rights in your country?'

"Yes, I think here, [New Zealand] the women have … more opportunity for study and for work. I think in a company it’s not very different—the salary of a man and a woman. But in my country [Chile] for the same work, the woman is always paid less."

Wellington, New Zealand

Patricia Lara, 30, Chef from Chile

Although it has experienced a decrease in economic opportunity, political empowerment, and health equity, New Zealand remains No. 5, its rank for the past two years. It has eliminated 78 percent of its gender gap (down from 79 percent in 2008 and 2009) and has been in the top 10 since the beginning of the index. It has fully eliminated its education equity gap and is ranked No. 9 in economic opportunity, No. 91 in educational attainment, and No. 8 in political empowerment.

Quoted from The Morung Express 

New Zealand is ranked fifth in the world reducing the gender gap and as quoted below is classified as having eliminated its education equity gap - if only it would be so on the 'Global Ethnic Gap'. 

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Howick residents turn up the pressure

It seems that politicians are no longer in control of the political agenda which could prove costly in November.

Residents of Buckland Beach have rallied again last night in their attempts to have the Special School in their backyard relocated. The issue appears to not want to go away and has continued in the public eye for quite some time.

The school has to go somewhere, that much is clear. Buildings in Buckland Beach are already owned by the Ministry of Education and lie dormant. However, the replacement of a primary school facility for children with physical disabilities has a vastly different impact than the proposed secondary school aged children with behavioural issues, the community has every right to be concerned for their own children's welfare.

Read more…

Further update: 

Hundreds of parents, teachers and residents are outraged at the plan.

They fear for their children's safety and are disgusted at a total lack of of consultation.

But the Ministry of Education is forging ahead with the $6.3 million project.

Read even more...

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