Posts tagged Newsletter

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.