Seek The Truth
Archive for February, 2010
NZEI Stopwork Meeting Postponed
Today’s newsletter contained a notice about an NZEI Stopwork Meeting planned for Tuesday March 23rd from 1:00pm till 3:00pm to discuss National Standards.
THIS MEETING HAS NOW BEING POSTPONED.
Please disregard this date and apologies for the confusion.
Board of Trustees Election 2010
Every 3 years a postal election is held to elect a new Board of Trustees. Any parent of caregiver is eligible to stand for election (with some conditions relating to bankruptcy, mental health or criminal background). Board members meet monthly and receive a $55 meeting attendance fee per meeting attended.
Board members should not have a particular personal agenda but be committed to supporting the overall vision and direction of the whole school. In house training is provided. More specific information will come later, but the key dates to look ahead to are:
March 15th – Nominations open
April 23rd – Nominations close
April 28th – Voting forms posted out
May 7th – Voting closes
May 13th – Votes counted and results declared
Special Newsletter – National Standards
2 years ago
As you will be aware from the media and soon from a letter and pamphlet from the Prime Minister, there is much debate about the introduction of National Standards to primary schools. Because of this, I feel it necessary to state this school’s position.
We will be implementing the National Standards. I am really confident of the achievement of children at this school and know that if we are compared with other schools, we would really hold our own. If an area of weakness is found however, then it is up to us to do something about it.
Our reading results are well above the national average, our numeracy in the average band, but our spelling is down. This year, we are putting a special emphasis on spelling in order to improve it.
Schools also need to report to parents in plain language as to whether your child is achieving well above, above, at, or below the national standards.
What principals, schools, the Teachers’ Union and many leading academics from universities are saying is that the government’s examples are hasty and poor. They were written by Ministry bureaucrats, with no input from schools or actual people at the chalk face. What the schools and unions are asking for is that the introduction of national standards be delayed a year to do more work on them so that there is a better outcome and also that they be trialled to see how they work.
In summary, we’re not afraid of National Standards and will be introducing them along with the new reporting system. However, I totally agree that they should be delayed a year, re-written and trialled and believe the government has stuffed up but is too “pig headed” to admit it.
2010 Welcome
A big welcome back to all and very best wishes for the 2010 year!
Lots of work has gone on over the holidays with paintings contracts, sand being spread over the grounds to assist winter drainage and a new teacher workroom built alongside the staffroom. New spouting and water fountains are also being installed.
Akzo Nobel has renewed sponsorship of the Tuesday breakfast programme and has also paid for $4200 worth of sports uniforms. As always, the school is fully planned and ready to start normal programmes – we just need the children to have their books.
Notices went home on Tuesday in regard to Stationery, School Donations and After School Classes. Our stationery is amongst the cheapest around – many local schools charge between $40-$80. If they haven’t already got it, all children should have their stationery tomorrow – it would be really good if the books can be covered – old wallpaper or brown paper is fine.
A special welcome to our new teacher, Georgia Falvey, teaching in Room 4. We extend to you our best wishes Georgia and welcome you to our school. We know you will be a major asset to Matipo Primary.
