Great giveaways: Books, resources and a winter treat

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educationvol 4, No 3 winter 2013 issue date

Gareth Morgan solves child poverty Learning styles under fire from neuroscience ECE innovation on the wild West Coast

Charter schools more hype than hope for tamariki

RRP $5.95 Aotearoa Contributors 12 26

Michelle Nixon edits Education Aotearoa. She has worked as a journalist, ESOL teacher and for SIGN UP NOW NZQA. 10 FOR SKIPPING

Jane Blaikie is an editor, journalist Contents SEPTEMBER and poet. Previous roles include financial journalism, writing at Te Up front Extra Papa and polytechnic tutoring. Editorials 4 The technology tsunami 16 Letters 5 Are New Zealand schools ready? News 7 The professionals 28 Events, resources, and more Christchurch 10 Reviews 32 Features Inclusive education Heni Collins (Nga-ti Raukawa) is a Giveaways 34 More hype than hope 12 freelance writer and researcher. Books, resources and It's time to get young hearts pumping, Charter schools for Ma-ori Her book Ka Mate, Ka Ora! was a winter splurge legs jumping, feet skipping, minds published by Steele Roberts. PD please 16 Support staff want to train counting and teams cheering with The solution to Recycle and spread the word! Once child poverty? 18 you’ve read EA, let others see it too: the Jump Rope For Heart programme. Gareth Morgan interview • Leave it in a waiting room Playcentre + kindergarten 20 This year you can play your part (dentist or doctor) ECE innovation on the • Give it to your Board of Trustees and make every beat count. Freelance journalist Diana Clement West Coast specialises in writing on personal • Leave it out at school finance and related topics. Learning styles under fire 26 for parents to read Since 1985 Jump Rope For Heart has helped over Neuroscience takes aim • Donate it to your local library or information centre children hop, skip and jump their way Taking stock – 2.3 million • Add it to the pile of moving forward 29 to healthier hearts and bodies. magazines at the gym How to weather National Register now! Standards and PaCT www.heartfoundation.org.nz/jrfhschools Freelance journalist Elizabeth McLeod has a background in print, radio and ESOL. She writes regularly on ECE topics for NZCA Te Tari Puna Ora. For resources, blogs and more www.educationaotearoa.org.nz For NZEI HELP call 0800 693 443 • Follow EA on Twitter: EducationNZ

winter 2013 |  editorials interact

The shame of ECE frame-up Letters to the editor The poll results* One of New Zealand’s most child poverty Teaching that uses approaches such as Edward influential early childhood leaders, No lack of confidence de Bono’s six thinking hats or student learning When the government released National Dr Marie Bell, who died last year, With reference to “Citizen Finally, the Ministry of styles such as the VARK model (visual, auditory, Standards data for 2012 in June this year, was known to advise young teachers scientists” (EA autumn issue), Education’s Guidelines for reading/writing, kinaesthetic), is being questioned it revealed a big picture that is already to advocate for their students in where do these assumptions Environmental Education in by neuroscientists (see feature pp 26). EA asked well known: educational achievement the wider world. In short, she about not teaching science NZ Schools (EE) was published teachers about the approaches they use at their correlates to socio-economic status. meant that they needed to be political, with a small ‘p’. come from? in 1999. schools. The data is simply too unreliable to be used to assess the Sadly, her advice is never more apt. The government is I am a primary trained I am personally involved performance of individual teachers, students or schools, even bringing a new initiative to the ECE sector. This is not one teacher and because of my with science, in context, in Does your school or centre use a particular though that seems to be the government’s intention. it’s trumpeting loudly, like a new tunnel under Auckland interest in the world, I also try my classroom, as are many learning styles approach such as Edward de In New Zealand, educators do not treat students as widgets harbour, which is about “progress”. to integrate science concepts other teachers who were also Bono’s six thinking hats? being processed in a factory, all learning the same thing at This new “learning outcomes framework” is being ushered where I can. These could be on these courses. There was Yes 71.76% the same time. Every child is unique, and our system can still in through the back door. The most NZEI Te Riu Roa has “kitchen science” experiments, no lack of confidence to be accommodate this. been able to find out about it is through tender documents on such as a basic understanding overcome by these teachers, No 28.24% Nonetheless, the government is attempting to use the data learning outcomes issued by the Ministry of Education. of what detergent does to rather an eager interest and to remake our system into a technocrat’s dream-state. What The tender states there is a need to move from narrative water tension, or visiting our wish to include our scientific If no, have you tried such approaches in the past? a tragedy that tens of millions of dollars are being spent on assessment for young children’s learning toward data that local spring to see where our world into the classroom this policy when it is so clear yet again that child poverty is the can be aggregated and provide evidence of the “value for water comes from and then programme. Yes 28% leading cause of educational underachievement. money” services provide. testing that water downstream What doesn’t help is the Of course, educators will try to mitigate the effects of child Simply put, the government wants to move from child- – finding mayflies was a lack of priority our government No 72% poverty. But we cannot rewire young brains that have been centred learning and assessment, to accountant-centred highlight, helping to prove that places on these topics. hardwired to fail as a result of permanent changes caused by learning and assessment. As a kindergarten teacher, I know the water at that point was still Enviroschools has recently had What is your favoured approach? severe and persistent poverty in early childhood. That’s what it’s wrong to be working with children in ways that shoehorn fairly clean. less funding available. There the Children’s Commissioner’s report into child poverty found, them into “value-for-money” tickboxes. In 2004, Environment Bay should be no need to re-invent Thinking hats 37.3% and that’s what we’re up against. What can you do about it? Follow Marie’s advice and check of Plenty (EBOP) education the wheel or have too many Bloom’s taxonomy 7% It’s time for the government to stop blaming educators, and out NZEI’s Best Start campaign (www.beststart.org.nz). We’ve officer Esther Mae held Waiora uncoordinated services when start addressing the real causes of educational underachieve- launched a five-year campaign calling on government to invest training courses and Kerry one is already functioning well: Thinking keys 5% ment. Child poverty is a blight on our country, and until this in early childhood and give every child the best start. We must Gosling, also at EBOP, was part a programme where students government begins to address it, we can only conclude it is not resist reductive policies that would be wide open to rorting. of the Rotorua Lakes working do participate as critical, VARK 3.3% serious about educational success. party researching the resources informed and responsible available locally. citizens. * From a survey of 85 primary and ECE teachers. New Zealand Odysseys Ltd TheEE foreword states, “the Paul Goulter Judith Nowotarski Some teachers said they’d stopped using learning held environmental education extent to which environmental National Secretary National President styles because they were too difficult to fit in with courses in 2004, facilitated by education is incorporated everything else, while others said they can be too NZEI Te Riu Roa Te Manukura Wendy Paul and Michele Beaton. within the curriculum is general, not individual enough. Many looked at it The University of Waikato determined by the board of more broadly. They said children, especially those School Support Services, with trustees of each school”. How with learning difficulties, benefit from variety. Some Mary Loveless, held courses can teachers be expected teachers change their approach depending on the Managing editor Stephanie Mills To advertise, call: 04 382 2729 about environmental education to “do better with science” subject, others use “a bit of everything” to help them reach a wider range of learners and find ways Editor Michelle Nixon To subscribe, email: [email protected] in 2003. “The Physical World when the perception (from to connect in a way that makes sense to each child. Design and production NZEI and Material World” facilitated our government) is that real To contribute, email: [email protected] However, there are challenges, such as funding, Cover image by Heni Collins by J P Mills, was held in 2000. world science problems are not Disclaimer: The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those time and complexity. It’s difficult to incorporate into All rights reserved. Address: 12th Floor, Education House, of NZEI Te Riu Roa or its members. Education Aotearoa is New Zealand’s Science advisors are available. important? the curriculum and get a proper balance of styles West Building, 178 Willis St, Wellington 6140 foremost publication dedicated to celebrating and informing educators Enviroschools is an Tina Muller,  and not just use the easier few. Many said they need working in early childhood and primary education. excellent resource to focus Rotorua Intermediate  professional development and the resources to do Website: www.educationaotearoa.org.nz ISSN 1176-5062 (Print) teachers on sustainability School it well. Other issues were selling it to parents, and For NZEI HELP call 0800 693 443 ISSN 1176-516X (Online) in context. It published a maintenance – “it’s easy to slip back to what you handbook in 2001. This issue’s winning letter used to do”. 4

 | education aotearoa winter 2013 |  interact news

Elwyn Richardson everything, past and present, Teachers College in the 70s. I continuing to be trained in More ECE equity want to keep their right to have I always look forward to especially current pressing still get his book off the shelf subjects that are oversupplied funding in budget a say in who’s on the council. your magazine and read issues. I was particularly in the hope that I will be able with teachers such as PE and – rest of sector goes “Teachers pay more than 95% of it extensively as soon as it sad to read of the passing to return more creativity to art. Many are becoming very backwards the cost of the Council themselves appears in my cubbie at my of Elwyn Richardson, who the classroom in the present disheartened and struggle to New Zealand Kindergartens currently. It is critical that any new school. It has so much of was our guru at North Shore structure. pay student loans back. Maybe chief executive Clare Wells says body is for teachers, by teachers.” Anna Ellmers an article could be written on although Budget 2013 gave more Among the other recommended Hamilton East the secondary teachers’ aspect money to support participation changes are an increase in fees, a sometime soon? Your article for the government’s ‘target’ new name, and introducing a new Teaching job shortage was great as it is an issue that groups – early childhood “authority to educate” category. Ms I read your article “Where have should be brought out into education (ECE) centres in low Nowotarski says giving untrained all the jobs gone” (EA autumn the open and investigated. decile communities – the general people a permanent licence issue) with great interest. There Thank you. increase doesn’t match growing to educate would put student is a shortage of secondary jobs Name withheld operational costs. She says learning at risk. She says the as well, with trainee teachers Christchurch the $172.5 million for ECE over review outcomes must preserve the next four years brings the and enhance teacher quality, to universal funding rate back to preserve the global success of just above where it was five years New Zealand’s education system.

m sc ott tio n : to ago. Te Tari Puna Ora o Aotearoa The government asked for Our winning letter writer receives a $100 book voucher— chief executive Nancy Bell says submissions on their proposals by

send your letter to [email protected] s tr a illu the equity funding means an mid-July. It’s likely the government average increase of 2.3% (about will need to change education $12,000 per centre a year), which legislation through parliament as special promotion should help those services keep a result of the review, a process pace with rising costs without likely to begin later this year. passing them on to parents. Dunedin school lifts all workers to Teaching Jen Smart, Head of English at Waiau Area School, horizons that could otherwise be limited by the But the average 0.61% funding New ERO review living wage 81 kilometres west of Invercargill, is responsible students’ rural upbringing. Throughout the school increase for all education and report cycle for ECE The trustees at North East Valley Normal School have Spanish in an for literacy in the senior school. She runs there is a groundswell of interest in learning Spanish. care services (about $3,000 per The Education Review Office decided to lift all workers’ wages to the living wage ($18.40). workshops to help teachers integrate literacy Jen believes involving parents and the wider year) falls far short of inflation, (ERO) has introduced four The school meets all three criteria the campaign requires for Area School development in their specialist subjects, observes community in language learning is also vital. Her which has grown by 2.4% since different review return times Living Wage employers to be accredited: directly employed classes and facilitates one-on-one sessions with students contacted Chilean families working on the last funding increase. She for early childhood education staff receive at least the Living Wage, contracted employees in Southland teachers to address literacy concerns. dairy farms in Tuatapere, and one has contacted says most centres will continue connected to an overall (such as cleaners and security staff) receive a living wage On top of that, Jen also manages to make relatives in Spain. to go backwards financially, and judgement about how well placed and the organisation has given union access to workers. teaching Spanish a priority. Having majored in She finds learning Spanish supports the literacy quality will suffer. a service is to promote positive Principal John Mckenzie says the notion of a living wage is both English and Spanish at teachers college, programmes she is working so hard to develop in outcomes for children. Previously, gathering momentum and will make a real difference in the the school, and attention to grammar in the foreign she was really keen to start teaching Spanish Teachers Council early childhood services were lives of those who do so much of the groundwork in society. to a combined class of Years 9 and 10 as well as language improves students’ output in English. review reviewed every three years, with NZEI’s Principals Council is encouraging all schools to students in Years 5 and 6. Her wish to teach more Spanish led her to enrol The review committee has ERO returning within 12 months commit to the principle of becoming a Living Wage school. Jen was surprised and thrilled by the students’ in a year-long development programme: Teacher recommended that all 11 to services with which they had This means leading their communities in promoting the response. At the start of the course they were Professional Development Languages (TPDL). Jen members on the Teachers concerns. ERO has developed Living Wage and advocating for improved funding so that asked to brainstorm where in the world Spanish was attracted by the opportunity to refresh and Council board be appointed by the criteria to support the four they can pay it to their own teacher aides, cleaners and was spoken and they came up with Mexico and develop her own language skills and is now doing Minister of Education. Though all judgements, which are available other support staff. Campaign convenor Annie Newman says the United States of America. Later, when former a Spanish language paper at Massey University, should be knowledgeable about publicly here http://tinyurl.com/ there’s growing support from businesses for the campaign Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez died, a student funded by TPDL. She says she finds the three- education, they needn’t have been phmtezj. Other changes include and all accredited organisations can use the Living Wage excitedly brought the news to school – he had component programme of TPDL ‘so inspiring’. teachers, although they should an increased focus on a service’s trademark in their promotional material once it’s finalised in

studied Venezuela for a Spanish project. The task-supported learning encouraged and w b er have governance experience. self-review. ERO is also focusing July. Contact [email protected] The geographic and cultural knowledge gained facilitated by TPDL has spread into other subject NZEI Te Riu Roa President Judith on priority learners – Ma-ori, Pictured above: North East Valley Normal School through Spanish classes has enormously widened areas in her school. Nowotarski says the new body Pacific and children with special board of trustees chair Steven O’Connor and cleaner Jen Smart • For more information about TPDL see www.tpdl.ac.nz needs to be truly independent of learning needs – and children up Sarah Ravenwood.

e da g r aph : jan ph oto government and teachers will to the age of two. 4

 | education aotearoa winter 2013 |  news news Novopain blues They say you can get used to anything, but the nagging pain of 4 Inequality – how it need. Dr Wylie cites research lower decile schools getting Review Body. Currently, Reward for expert negotiations team leader Novopay just goes on and on. NZEI membership service centre affects NZ schools showing five-year-olds starting more government money. students get six to seven teachers Frances Guy says it will staff say there are continual enquiries – one teacher was given In a chapter she wrote for in decile 1 schools at the turn But Education Minister Hekia weeks off in the summer, Included in this year’s encourage excellent a different Ministry of Education number when he changed a newly published book of this century had average Parata doesn’t believe school with two weeks at each of Primary Teachers’ Collective teachers to stay in the schools so all his superannuation contribution payments were edited by Max Rashbrooke early reading scores almost funding is inadequate. She told Christmas and Easter as well Agreement is a new process classroom rather than disrupted – in another case an ex-principal inexplicably started (Inequality: A New Zealand half of those of their peers a private school conference as three week-long half- to formally recognise expert move into management. getting paid as a principal again. But what causes most anxiety Crisis), Dr Cathy Wylie of starting school in deciles in Queenstown that decile term breaks. Under the rules teaching. The Advanced Rejecting suggestions is Novopay’s inability to properly process third party deductions the Council for Educational 7-10, with maths scores on rankings are too often used “as the school year still has a Classroom Expertise that it’s the thin end of the such as student loan repayments and superannuation Research notes how socially average one third below. A an excuse and an explanation” minimum 190 days of term Teacher (ACET) allowance of performance pay wedge, she contributions. And overpayments have a flow on effect – people segregated New Zealand United States study suggests for everything that happens time. The change, to take $5000 a year will be available says the allowance is based are pushed into another tax bracket, or become ineligible for tax schools and communities students from poor homes in schools. She said school place from September 2015, to up to 800 teachers from on a robust assessment credits. The problems are so deep and wide that Inland Revenue have become. She says the need 40% to 100% more funding needs to be reviewed was floated earlier this year by 2015. ACET recognition of a teacher’s skills and has set up a special unit to work through them. Many support high rate of income inequality funding for each student to to “focus more on outcomes”. Mr Gove, who complained that follows a rigorous attestation expertise, not the results of staff have had incorrect sick and annual leave balances since contributes to the isolation provide equitable learning Citing controversial comments “the structure of the school process. The teacher must their students. Applicants go Novopay began almost a year ago. But at least communication of students from poor homes opportunities. Education by American economist term and the school day was demonstrate creativity through a year-long process is getting better – the ministry’s been responding to NZEI and increases the challenge Aotearoa last year surveyed and Treasury favourite Eric designed at a time when we and innovation, based on to be awarded the payment queries, and service centre staff now get regular updates on for low decile schools, with five decile 1 and five decile 10 Hanushek, she said “four had an agricultural economy”. research, over the whole and an assessment every cases. What’s needed next is good communication with schools government funding not primary schools and found consecutive years of quality curriculum, showing that third year to maintain it. The over Novopay issues, and consistency from the Novopay service stretching far enough to give the high decile schools had teaching eliminate any trace of ‘PaCT’ sent their practice results in process begins next year and centre – but no one’s holding their breath. such students all the extra about $1100 more per pupil socio-economic disadvantage“. packing by positive outcomes for all the allowance will be paid learning opportunities they to spend each year – despite Suggesting schools are to teaching learners. NZEI Te Riu Roa out from 2015. n blame for not wiping out the profession poverty handicap, she said: “In As EA went to print, Education New Zealand we provide 13 Minister Hekia Parata years. You’d think it would not reversed her decision to make Children in Crisis Conference be too much to expect that four PaCT, a computerised National of those are good quality.” See Standards assessment tool, 7- 9 October 2013, Kingsgate Hotel, Hamilton more discussion here http:// mandatory from 2015. NZ tinyurl.com/kkqcrat Principals’ Federation, NZEI This conference provides a professional Te Riu Roa, NZ Association development opportunity for all interested of Intermediate and Middle VISIT OUR NEW LOOK groups (practitioners, teachers, counsellors, The end of long social workers, academics and agencies) summer hols for Schools, and the Catholic WEBSITE TODAY to discuss these vital issues in four major British kids? Principals Association have AND PURCHASE THE BRAND NEW strands: The British government has called on school boards, their SERIES, LEVEL 4A - OUT NOW! announced that all schools are colleagues and organisations LEVEL 4B AVAILABLE EARLY 2014. >> Child Poverty >> Children’s Rights to get the power to set their developing the Progress and PMMDÔPGPH*=OC@H=´ÔN +7 level >> Child Abuse >> Policies and Practices 4A +7 PMMDÔPGPH*=OC@H=´ÔN level own term dates. The change is Consistency Tool (PaCT) to halt +7 PMMDÔPGPH*=OC@H=´ÔN 4B connecting all strands connecting all strands˜ statistics number & algebra ˜ measurement & geometry included in the government’s their involvement, including number & algebra ˜ measurement & geometry ˜ statistics Keynote Speakers: Hon. Paula Bennett, Jacinda Ardern,

deregulation bill. Academies this year’s trials of the $5.2 algebra & number Anthea Simcock, Prof. Jonathon Boston, Prof. Susan St John,

and “free” schools – similar million system. The PaCT asks

connecting all strands all connecting

Children’s Commissioner, NZEI & PPTA Presidents and more tba. ˜ to NZ’s proposed charter teachers to judge students’ Organisers: Prof. Michael A. Peters and Prof. Tina Besley. schools – can already set National Standards levels by CALL FOR PROPOSALS: May be in the form of papers, symposia, their teaching hours and term working through tick boxes workshops or posters. Contact: [email protected] dates. The new legislation of illustrations that represent extends this ability to all achievement outcomes. It REGISTRATION CLOSES: 30 August 2013 (Early Bird 31 July 2013). state-maintained schools then generates a result for M. J. Tipler M. J. Tipler S. C. Timperley as Education Secretary each student. Principals and S. C. Timperley Centre for Global Studies in Education Michael Gove pushes for a teachers say it assumes every L]OYao`YcYYlYcal]9gE»lYmjYf_Y rewriting of teachers’ terms child is the same, learns the Go to the conference website: http://2013cic.wordpress.com/ and conditions through the same way and can achieve the ORDER NEW SERIES NOW AT WWW.CAXED.CO.NZ OR [email protected] independent School Teachers’ same results.

 | education aotearoa winter 2013 |  christchurch Down but not out Schools have been at the heart of Christchurch communities since the quakes struck. Yet fifteen are to be closed or merged, with more change in the pipeline. Michelle Nixon visited some of the affected schools.

he bombshells dropped on Christchurch a perfect view of the harbour, and is bathed in schools in May couldn’t have come at a worse sunshine in the morning. On May 5 next year it Ttime. It’s nearly three years since the first will officially merge with Lyttelton Main. earthquake – a crucial period, according to disaster Physically there are sound reasons for the recovery experts, when people often experience the merger so there’s some degree of acceptance, worst emotional and mental after-effects of trauma. although the process is tricky, says principal Despite vociferous opposition by many and a Diana Feary. She’s in favour of the promised Above: The Mandarin class at Burwood faint, belated call by the council to save the city’s modern learning environments. School manipulate marbles using chopsticks. schools – on and relentlessly on the “education “The children can’t imagine what it will be Left: Lyttelton West buildings step down the hill. renewal” juggernaut rumbles, with 13 schools to like, they’re worried they’ll lose their friends and close or merge in the latest decisions, including most their teachers. And even more worried about yet of the city’s intermediates. Another three schools in another change.” She says all that staff can do is New Brighton are likely to merge by next May. tell them it’s exciting and it’s going to be great. At the condemned schools, there’s a feeling of “We’re tired and we’re stressed and we’ve just Part of the Aranui cluster, Wainoni is likely pent up anger at decisions that take no account of got to get on with it.” to close at the end of 2016, by which time the history or geography and even less of social cohesion. proposed community campus is expected to be Linwood Intermediate built – a big year 1-13 school that could have a Burwood School 1872-2013 1959-2013 roll of up to 2000. Wainoni currently has a roll of It’s a golden winter day when EA visits. Across The two-storey building backs onto a large playing 100, up from 69 but below the roll of 124 before the road the river flows calm and purposeful, field fringed by large trees. There’s a sense of quiet February 22, 2011. mirroring the atmosphere inside the school gates. orderliness but also an embattled feeling. This is In its submission at the end of December, the “This is a dearly loved hub – for many of our one of the poorest areas in the city and one of the school was unanimously in favour of the merger, children our school was the one stable, consistent worst hit by earthquake damage, although the and principal Audrie McKenzie is all for it. and safe place in their lives.” school came out of it relatively unscathed. “It was never going to be here,” she says, and Principal Susan Jennison is incensed by the Linwood Intermediate’s webpage says the “This is a Wainoni is pragmatic - it’s a small school with a inequity of what’s happening, especially to the school is preparing students for the future – but Top: Wainoni principal But he says that the closures have never been big piece of land. “If the ministry does decide to eastern suburbs. “There are so many good things since the decision to close three of the city’s Audrie McKenzie is dearly loved about how to get good education for Christchurch. sell it off, it’s a nice piece of land.” happening in the east,” she says. intermediate schools, it has no future, which pragmatic about her hub – for many The government’s not even saving a lot of money She says the new school will still be a local Burwood and Windsor schools are to merge on principal Lee Walker says is tragic. school’s closure and of our children by closing schools – much of the $1 billion it says school, and children will be able to walk there. one site at Windsor, and teachers don’t know if He believes intermediates have a special role to can see some upsides. it’s spending on Christchurch education renewal The pluses include access to more resources they will have a job for next year. play these days. With the earlier onset of puberty, At Burwood, principal our school was is normal spending. and staff, and the opportunity for children not Community support for the school was children often reach those giddy heights and Susan Jennison (above the one stable, to have big transitions between primary and unanimous: “We certainly gave it our best shot – plunging depths at 11 or 12. In fact the community left) says, it’s ironic that consistent and Wainoni 1963-2016 secondary school. we came up with a very innovative and appropriate had pushed for Linwood to be a middle school, only people in areas It’s an old school school – huge grounds, lots “A lot of our kids don’t cope well with change, proposal that our community was excited by, but for years 7-10. Instead, three local secondary largely unaffected by safe place in of playground space, mature trees and grass, a so a lot of them drop out (at high school).” It’s the minister didn’t agree with us.” To rub salt in schools are expected to take the intermediates’ the quakes had enough their lives.” community garden and a huge climbing frame hoped the minister will listen to staff, whose the wound, the ministry said it was “an interesting displaced year 7 and 8 children from next year, time, energy and – there’s plenty of room for running and climbing. preference is to merge, not close. n proposal” that “could work at the merged school”. and secondary schools are not geared up to teach resources to keep vi d a le xand er years 7 and 8. closures at bay. As EA went to press, Phillipstown School was filing judicial review papers in the High Court in Christchurch Lyttelton West School 1887-2013 Walker says there’s no evidence the east side is against the decision that it must close. The Phillipstown community is seeking donations for the school’s The school perches on what must be one of the failing – since the earthquake the schools have all legal action: “We Are Phillipstown” account, ANZ 06 0807 0114631 75.

country’s steepest streets outside Dunedin. It has had good Education Review Office (ERO) reports. g r aphs : da P h oto

10 | education aotearoa winter 2013 | 11 - education for maori

language used, and 15 percent attend Māori percent). New Zealand European achievement “Partnership immersion kura and wharekura. rates increased from 82 percent to 89 percent over schools: as Te Rūnanga o Ngai Tahu outlined its strong the same period (an 8 percent increase). opposition to the schools in a lengthy, well- The percentage of school leavers qualified to innovative and researched submission to government. It is the attend university is now higher for those leaving transparent only iwi known to have publicly opposed them. Māori immersion kura and bilingual schools as the new The new schools are being promoted by the (51.5% in 2010) than it is for non-Māori leaving government (National, Act, and the Māori Party English medium schools (50.1%). And yet Anchor milk supported the charter schools Bill) as a means of tragically, the government is axing Te Kotahitanga bottle” – Toby tackling Māori and Pacific underachievement, funding, a programme succeeding in 50 schools, Manhire in The but the results of overseas research relating to and which the teachers’ unions wanted to see minorities in charter schools are inconclusive expand, and is set to replace it with a weaker New Zealand and benefits to Māori are likely to be minimal. version not well supported by research and less Herald Despite that, of the 35 or so applicants wanting likely to gain results. to establish charter schools, about a third are While the kura-ā-iwi organisation (above), from Māori. and the Iwi Education Authority are in favour of trialling charter schools, the rūnanga which Freedom represents Kura Kaupapa under Section 155 of the Leaders of kura-ā-iwi, designated character Education Act, with a philosophy called Te Aho schools (section 156 of the Education Act 1989) Matua, is more neutral on the issue. 4 associated with particular iwi, see charter schools as a way to gain more freedom from centralised bureaucracy. Above: A’Janae, Dr Toby Curtis, head of Te Maru o Ngā Kura Caleb and Tyrese at Closing the gap a Iwi o Aotearoa (Iwi Education Authority) Education for Māori needs Avondale Primary % and Pem Bird (representing kaiako at these School in Christchurch, 100 kura) say they represent 23 of 25 kura-ā-iwi in which is to close. supporting charter schools. Iwi in support include 90 Ma-ori students make more than charter schools Tuwharetoa, Tuhoe, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Manawa, up 25 percent of the roll - Ngāti Rongomai, Tapuika, Waikato and Raukawa 80 Author and journalist Heni Collins investigates growing concerns in Maoridom that and parents are upset ki te Tonga. that closure will reduce 70 the promised panacea of charter schools is a false hope. Those in favour of charter schools often use their options. the argument that the public education system 60 harter schools are not the way forward hourua) in late May. Others who publicly oppose is failing Māori children: “Too many schools are 50 KEY points for the development of education for the policy include Professor Russell Bishop, allowed to continue failing Māori children, without 40 • European Year 12 students • Minister of Education Māori, says Professor Wally Penetito, Dr Leonie Pihama, Dr Mera Penehira, Professor accountability for that failure,” said Pem Bird. 30 C • Ma-ori Year 12 students Hekia Parata is known of Te Kura Māori at the Faculty of Education, Cindy Kiro, Ani Mikaere and Lesley Rameka. “Kura Hourua can be a circuit-breaker for us, an 20 to be a keen advocate of Victoria University. “I don’t think that’s the way agent of desperately needed change.” 10 0 charter schools being to go for Māori. I want to see the development Political opposition - 2005 06 07 08 09 10 11 2012 run by Maori education of kōhanga and kura kaupapa, of the kaupapa Both the Labour and Green party candidates in the The gap is closing providers. Māori movement.” recent Ikaroa-Rāwhiti by-election (Meka Whaitiri But while there is still a gap between Māori Ma-ori education levels are rising, closing the • But many in Ma-oridom While many whānau struggle with more and Marama Davidson respectively) were clear in and Pākehā achievement levels, policies such as gap on European levels. Level 2 NCEA is seen by are not so sure. urgent issues such as poverty, housing, health their opposition at a meeting in Taita. Mana MP Ka Hikitia, Te Kotahitanga and He Kākano have the government as the benchmark opening the and employment, the issue of charter schools is Hone Harawira spoke passionately against the been achieving success in closing that gap in gateway to tertiary education and NZQA’s latest • The evidence is thin creating further division and confusion amongst charter school bill in Parliament in May. recent years. annual report (2012), shows the percentage of that charter schools will - lift Ma-ori achievement Māori, and even within the kaupapa Māori Māori members of the primary and secondary Level 2 NCEA is seen by the government as Maori year 12 students who achieved NCEA Level 2 levels, while the highly education sector. teacher unions NZEI and PPTA are firm in their the benchmark opening the gateway to tertiary rose from 63 percent in 2008 to 75 percent in 2012 successful Te Kotahitanga Professor Penetito was one of several leading opposition, as both unions believe the policy has education and NZQA’s latest annual report (2012) (an increase of 19 percent). New Zealand European programme is being cut Māori educationalists and leaders who signed an the potential to undermine the public education shows the percentage of Māori year 12 students achievement rates increased from 82 to 89 percent back. Open Letter to the Government opposing charter sector. About 85 percent of Māori children attend who gained NCEA Level 2 rose from 63 percent over the same period (an eight percent increase).

schools (officially called partnership schools kura mainstream schools, with varying levels of Māori g r aphs : h e n i c olli ns P h oto in 2008 to 75 percent in 2012 (an increase of 19

12 | education aotearoa winter 2013 | 13 - education for maori

Left: Te Kura Kaupapa Ma-ori o Wha-nau Tahi Otautahi-Christchurch acting principal Ramon Roberts restructuring means less choice says the school Mainstream schools are still closure of the school will reduce 1-15 school, which has been on its is the students’ the schools of choice for the their options. With little earthquake Waltham (south-east) site for 26 marae, “their parents of most tamariki, and damage, a roll of about 330, and a years. turangawaewae”. yet there will soon be less choice team of committed staff, the school in Christchurch, particularly has been seen as a stepping stone Strong kura for those living in the eastern to a range of secondary schools Similarly for Te Kura Kaupapa suburbs. across town. “Only about 18-20 Ma-ori o Wha-nau Tahi in Spreydon Use4 the current system Plans to merge schools have percent of our students go on to the (south-west), on its site for 13 Te Rūnanga Nui o Ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori o upset wha-nau who are concerned local high school,” says principal years, and also a composite year Aotearoa (TRN) has not officially submitted its that the social dynamics of the Mark Scown. 1-15 kura: “This is their marae, views to the government, but chair Rawiri Wright new super-schools have been their turangawaewae,” says Ramon has done so individually and says that the rūnanga poorly considered; that wha-nau Challenges to bilingual Roberts, acting principal. has since agreed with his statement. There were involvement and social support education While both kura have roll sizes 72 kura kaupapa Māori (KKM) throughout the will diminish; and the provision The provision of bilingual of about 80, which had dropped country under this section in 2011, many of them of bilingual education will be education will also be affected when families left the city after the in low decile urban areas. weakened. by restructuring in the city. earthquakes, neither have suffered “Almost all of the provisions under consideration Fears of bullying and gang Phillipstown School (decile 1, roll much earthquake damage and for charter schools /kura hourua are those that “The needs of tensions have been noted in 163) is to merge with Woolston their rolls are now recovering. have been ...called for by TRN ...almost since their transparency in operation,” says Te Rūnanga o Below: Kaumatua for relation to the proposed super- School (decile 2, roll 300). Woolston The kura have strong wha-nau inception (now 28 years ago),” the submission reads. Ngai Tahu in its submission. our community Te Kura Whakapumau school on the Aranui High School has a bilingual unit called Te support, and hence provide wha-nau However, these freedoms are sought within the are not i Te Reo Tuturu o site (children whose parents Wha-nau Pua-wai o Nga-kaunui, with networking and resilience. publicly funded system. “(They) should be made Te Kotahitanga conducive to the Waitaha, Ruawhitu belonged to different gangs went to consisting of three classes Some of the means of enhancing available to KKM as of right but without the need Te Rūnanga o Ngai Tahu urged the government to Pokaia, says: “Thanks different schools). The government (years 1-8) and is likely to face student achievement at the two - to seek a third party sponsor.” make it compulsory for all schools to implement public-private to the whanau that wants to consider a public-private challenges adjusting to the merger. kura include: one-to-one English Te Kotahitanga and He Kakano , “which are partnership.” have supported our partnership to develop the new Two intermediates which are to language tutoring; video-teaching Sharples making real and successful advancements in – Aranui High right to stay at our school, at least for its buildings. close – Branston Intermediate in in putaiao (science) and pangarau Associate Minister of Education Minister Pita support of Māori educational achievement”. papakainga.” Hornby and Linwood Intermediate (maths); senior students attending Sharples apparently interpreted this as support It also pushed for charter schools to operate principal John Community needs not met – are both known for their strong local high schools for certain from TRN – when spoken to by EA, he claimed consistently with the principles of the Treaty of Rohs Aranui, Wainoni and Avondale provision of te reo. classes; and enrolling senior that kura kaupapa Māori, kura-a-Iwi, and the Waitangi: “The Partnership Schools (should) be primary schools are all to close Staff and wha-nau of the two students in programmes from Te Kōhanga Reo Trust all supported the idea of the required to adhere to the New Zealand curriculum, at the end of December 2016, to kura kaupapa Ma-ori in the city Wa-nanga o Raukawa in their final new schools. “Bulk funding appeals to them, and or at the very least to ... provide access to te reo me allow for “considerations of public- are meanwhile breathing easier years (with support from STAR the idea of being able to design things their own ōna tikanga”, and called for greater transparency private partnership procurement after escaping a recent threat of - the Secondary Tertiary Alignment way, in Te Reo,” he said. around funding. (PPP)” for the newly merged Year relocation. With strong opposition Resource). Although Dr Sharples states that he remains Te Rūnanga o Ngai Tahu is actively involved 1-13 school on the Aranui High from both kura communities to “They have to make a committed to kura kaupapa, of which he is a in education, providing grants, scholarships and School site. Aranui High School a move, and a lack of evidence of commitment. We didn’t want to founder, Māori academic and commentator Rawiri tutorial services. principal John Rohs said a public- demand in the northern suburbs, give a hand-out, but a hand-up. Taonui warns that the privileging of mana whenua private partnership would detract the government decided to back- That’s the best we can do,” said kura-ā-iwi could lead to further disadvantage for New funding? from a community approach. “We track. Ruawhitu. The kura hopes that urban Māori away from their tribal rohe. NZEI Te Riu Roa believes the charter schools are opposed to this. The needs of “Thanks to the wha-nau that have one of its students will graduate Te Rūnanga o Ngai Tahu, while supporting policy will further widen the gap between the rich our community are not conducive supported our right to stay at our with a degree before she finishes the right of iwi to provide education their own and poor. The government currently spends about to the public-private partnership.” papakainga,“ says kaumatua for Te at the kura next year. “It’s all way, does not believe that charter schools will $45 million each year subsidising elite private Ma-ori students make up 25% Kura Whakapumau i te reo tuturu success-based. This could be the work for Māori. “A more realistic approach would schools and is considering more, but where is of the roll at Avondale Primary o Waitaha, Ruawhitu Pokaia. The door opening for a lot of them,” be to utilise the existing mechanism of Special the new funding for Māori in mainstream, Māori School and parents are upset that kura is a composite year he said. n Character Schools, with greater controls and immersion pre-schools and kura kaupapa? n

14 | education aotearoa winter 2013 | 15 SUPPORT STAFF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Possible providers • REAPs Support staff • Local polytechnics and universities e y g r an t g r aphs : tr ac P h oto • Local offices of the National Library Support Staff Day this year • SLANZA focussed on professional • RTLBs • Target Training development. A survey of • GSE, at the Ministry of Education members produced an • MUSAC amazingly strong response • Work Centre trusts • Te Ru-nanga Nui – support staff love PD and • Local iwi they want more. • Willow Education • STA • Sencos PD • Retired teachers/support staff When Support staff in Whanganui What support Support staff want PD on... attended a session from 4-5.30pm • Senior teachers Most support staff would like their PD • Working with students – behaviour management, autism, on Support Staff Day, Wednesday staff say • Invited speakers – such as to be held on a weekday, generally in dyslexia, ADHD, Down Syndrome, gifted children, motor June 12, on “Supporting skills in Celia Lashlie ♥ the morning, and in shortish sessions “Kei te pai, ka whakarite skills, sign language and working with deaf students, art, Numeracy”. - - • STANZ – Science Technicians – two-hour blocks, or for half a te kuna we nei a huatanga PECS (the Picture Exchange Communication System), PB4L, Association NZ day. Some can take on the regular – it would be good to compare • Cyberkeys – accounting modules puberty development, ESOL, physically challenging behaviour, commitments of a course, but some what we are doing with • Community centres behaviour strategies for TAs working in secondary, first aid and may have too big a workload already. what others are doing.” • NZEI Te Riu Roa Centre for health and safety, motivating reluctant learners, story writing, School holidays can work. Educational Excellence communicating with children, communicating with teachers (to “I am attending the SLANZA clarify tasks and give feedback on what is and isn’t working for Where (School Library Association) students). Happy to travel locally. Prepared to conference that provides travel further if expenses are covered. • Office management, office systems ITand – editing many workshop opportunities videos, website development and management, social media, Who with in July at a cost of $1000 to Microsoft software, tablets, Musac, CoralDRAW, Photoshop, the school. I am more than Support staff were keen to do PD with happy with my PD for 2013.” Excel, Skype, PowerPoint; minute taking; Novopay(!); time colleagues from local schools: to share management; stock-taking systems; school budgeting, tips and tricks. Another idea was “office “As a teacher aide in a ministry funding and 5-10yr planning; how to understand the swaps” – working in another school for For a list of great high school, who should I ministry’s provisional staffing entitlements and operations Give your support half a day to see how they work. be expecting to see come grant instalment notices; how to calculate wages for the school websites offering staff the PD they through from local primary budget, accounting, payroll, job descriptions, newsletter writing How resources for and intermediates and what need to do the best and whiteboards. Webinars and self-paced learning educators and modules were fine, as well as face- strategies can I develop to • And other important stuff – where to find resources for job! Survey staff at to-face sessions. “If it’s of value to the students, visit www. handle these students?” children, Te Reo (pronunciation, protocol and language), IT your school and school, the principals/BoTs should educationaotearoa. equipment for special needs students, communicating with “Who would pay for the release support staff in parents (how to handle aggressive parents), conflict resolution, org.nz and click on professional development make a plan for work time,” as one stress management, more liaison with teacher aides from time to be covered, if it is member put it. “fantastic resources!” their PD. other schools to swap strategies, regular regional science tech on the home page done out of school hours?” meetings, security management – lockdowns and earthquakes, “Anything and everything!” – in public speaking, business writing, pastoral caregiving, how to support children who are behind, how schools work – the roles answer to the question, what of BoTs, principals, ERO and the ministry. would you like to participate in?

16 | education aotearoa winter 2013 | 17 education and me

“Society is still being organised along lines more apt to the challenges of the post-War years. The world has moved on — the twin trends of globalisation and IT have resulted in many jobs either being automated or uncompetitively priced in the developed world.”

He says his biggest intellectual stimulus higher incidences of crime than children from came from home, a hotbed of political and homes with adequate incomes. KEY points current affairs debates – his parents were But Gareth’s proposed solutions to the problem • At school, Gareth British immigrants and he had four siblings. have nothing to do with the usual mantras of Morgan struggled with Echoing the findings of education academics, “welfare dependency” and “incentives to work”. discipline but liked he adds, “The home environment is absolutely “Society is still being organised along lines inquiry learning. dominant in terms of forming one’s interests more apt to the challenges of the post-War years. and attitudes.” The world has moved on.” • He says child poverty is “the scariest But he says, “School is important of course High child poverty kicked in here in the development”. and the nature of the teaching vital – teachers late 1980s — “the twin trends of globalisation who excite and enthuse will always be winners, and IT have resulted in many jobs either being • His solution hands down.” automated or being uncompetitively priced in the is a universal After university (“a privilege and an developed world.” Unconditional Basic adventure”), he worked at the Reserve Bank He says this has left large tracts of our Income funded by a radically broadened then started his own very successful economics- workforce without either fulfilling or rewarding tax base. forecasting consultancy, at the same time raising work – “trapped as functionaries” – at the same four children with wife Joanne. time as millions in the developing world are He was an early investor in his son’s TradeMe getting opportunities previously denied them. venture and received $50 million when the business was sold to Fairfax. With the cash, Gareth A basic income for all set up a philanthropic foundation, and has written “There’s no doubt it’s a net sum positive – it’s just a series of hard-hitting books that question the that within the developed world we suddenly find basic foundations of how we live now. we have overeducated, or more accurately over- Child poverty requires trained, people in the workplace. 25% of children in poverty “If you think of university degrees as vocational Not least is his concern about child poverty — “it’s qualifications we have way too many, but I don’t one of the scariest developments of late.” think of degrees like that.” radical change Around 25 percent of New Zealand children He says we are now in an era without precedent. now live in poverty, and longitudinal studies show In New Zealand many jobs are overpaid by world New Zealand’s most opinionated economist Gareth Morgan says that these children, as a group, have much lower standards and many people doing them are it’s society – not just cats — that needs a big shake-up. levels of educational achievement and lifetime overqualified. His answer: “Redesign the tax and earnings, higher benefit needs, poorer health and welfare regime so that this very rich country can aking waves is nothing new to Gareth greatly to me. Without a class climate of fear I redistribute its wealth in a manner that does not Morgan. Recently, uproar broke out was more able to express myself and did better leave people without hope.” Mwhen he offered a bounty on bird- in those classes.” He’s outlined his ideas in a book, The Big Kahuna. killing cats. But it all began in Putararu in the What needs It boils down to the idea of a universal “Unconditional 1950s – when he spoke with his feet. Nothing nasty Basic Income”, which would be enough to live on and He repeatedly ran away from kindergarten He generally “preferred good-looking female fixing? be funded by a flat tax that’s paid from a broadened and junior school. “Confinement was not my teachers or male teachers who weren’t Win one of three copies of Gareth tax base – both income and wealth. GST is a regressive bag and I struggled with the discipline.” disciplinarians.” He didn’t like being talked at and Morgan’s book The Big Kahuna. It makes tax that affects the poor disproportionately, the book Back in the rural 1950s, strapping and top- was easily distracted, conspiring with others to a case for a radical shake-up of New says, and the wealthy can too easily avoid their tax down learning were still the norm — “it put me “make mischief”. Zealand’s tax and welfare systems. Email responsibilities. A universal income would free more off attending.” “Nothing nasty – just flogging stuff and educationaotearoa@ nzei.org.nz with The people up to do unpaid work. By nature, he’s an inquiry learner. “Projects wagging school. I preferred to be up at Jimmy Big Kahuna in the subject line. “Why do volunteers have to be rich to be able to

where I was left to go and do research appealed Rata’s dad’s pool parlour than anywhere else.” er, apn e u ssh g r aph : jan P h oto afford to do those more fulfilling tasks?” n

18 | education aotearoa winter 2013 | 19 early childhood education

Flying high on It’s just a short undermine the other community-based centre which continues to operate in the town. stroll from the The flexible model meets the needs of families, early childhood giving parents a lot more options. The children are the West Coast centre to the in appropriate age groups – and although the two areas have a different focus, the children are used kindergarten to crossing from one to another. so moving up Westport Kindergartens’ education manager becomes less Mary-Rose O’Loughlin says children and parents are getting the best of both worlds – if parents daunting. need it, their children have full-time care, but they don’t have the intensity of kindergarten all day – it’s broken by the more relaxed atmosphere of the early learning centre. “They have really good transitioning right through the centre,” she says. “They know all the teachers, and there’s a free flow – if I say I’m going to kindy, I might have five kids come with me for a visit.”

Less daunting And it’s just a short stroll – it feels a bit like going from one carriage to another on a train – not crossing the Rubicon. So moving up to kindergarten becomes less daunting, and it’s likely they’ll manage the transition to school better as well. The arrangement also means children who otherwise wouldn’t have got into kindergarten until they were only six months shy of their fifth birthday can now begin much earlier – and parents can also access the 20 hours free education for their children from age three. Children who Mary-Rose says children who have several It’s almost at the estport Kindergarten gets all five Best kindergarten from 8.30 to 12.30. Her little brother have several Nelson association – which provides administrative years of good quality early childhood education northern end of Start stars: 100% qualified teachers, is also at the Tuakana centre and he gets really support and professional development for Westport become much better at relationships, and become W good adult-to-child ratios, small excited when she comes back after the morning years of good – applied for funding through the government’s strong at supporting each other. the road on the group sizes, positive relationships, and a warm session. Several family groups interacting like this quality early Targeted Assistance for Participation (TAP). Speaking of support, over at kindergarten I wild West Coast and loving learning environment. add to the whānau atmosphere. childhood With the government’s funding cuts, parents watched Mary-Rose help a frustrated little boy But that’s not all. This is both an all-day early The kindergarten is licensed for 96 children, might see private providers employing untrained work out for himself how to get to the top of the of the South childhood education (ECE) centre AND a kinder- and that also covers the centre. Both are under the education teachers as a cheaper option. But the kindergarten slide - it was quite a challenge. A cautious boy, he Island – yet this garten – working together on the same site, with same licence but there are three distinct areas – the become much had a good reputation in the town, Wendy says, was clearly worried he’d fall – but with patience kindergarten two types of education happening simultaneously. half-day sessional areas for morning and afternoon better at because it has such good teachers and is very and encouragement, five minutes later he was And it works. Alongside Westport Kindergarten kindergarten and the new early childhood centre, well run. By holding open days and encouraging scrambling up the ladder, clambering over the is leading the is a brand new, purpose-built, architecturally which operates under a full-day licence. relationships, community participation, it’s won strong bar, and shooting down the slide like a pro. pack on quality designed centre with state-of-the-art learning and become support from the locals, who have elected a “very That’s just one example of children challenging and innovation. spaces and equipment. Five years in the planning, How did it come about? strong at proactive” board of trustees. themselves – they have possibly the only flying fox Michelle Nixon it opened earlier this year. It operates on a tuakana Chief executive of the Nelson Kindergarten The noticeboard in the entrance displays photos of left in a kindergarten in these risk-averse times: teina model – to the right is the kindergarten and Association, Wendy Logan, says Westport is unusual yn h or nsby supporting the teachers – all of them qualified. NZEI field officer it’s not far off the ground, but the children feel pays a visit. to the left is the early childhood centre. in that the town was growing and a lot of children each other. Una McNair says teachers moved to the kindergarten like they’re flying. n Meet Olivia – a busy little artist, she’s already weren’t participating in early childhood education. because they prefer to work under a collective produced a masterpiece or two today. She arrives The kindergarten also had a building that agreement rather than for a private provider. But she Check out NZEI’s Best Start campaign at

at the Tuakana centre at 8am and goes across to needed redeveloping and land available, so the g r aphs : ash l P h oto says the kindergarten is keen to make sure it doesn’t www.beststart.org.nz.

20 | education aotearoa winter 2013 | 21 special promotion

technology

Fuelled4life launches new

Fuelled4life has introduced a Fuelled4life, based on the new category that gives nutrient Ministry of Health’s Food and guidelines for freshly made food Beverage Classification System Digital learning – Fresh in schools and early childhood (FBCS), aims to increase young centres – aimed at both customers people’s access to healthier food and providers. By introducing and beverages. It’s a free practical coming, ready or not fuelled4life criteria for foodservice tool giving schools and early Made businesses that supply school childhood centres a head start in Diana Clement takes a big picture look at the digital learning storm that is lunches, Fresh Made will give providing healthier foods. Food bearing down on schools faster than they can say “Google”. category parents the choice of healthy non- companies register products with packaged food and also give lunch fuelled4life, they are classified as igital learning is transforming the equity, affordability, standardised approaches Above: Children at Burwood suppliers the support and advice everyday or sometimes according to very nature of the teacher-student across the sector, and professional development School in Christchurch dream they need to provide healthier the FBCS nutrient criteria and then Drelationship. Yet not everyone agrees that opportunities. of their future using i-Pads products. they are listed in the Buyers’ Guides. New Zealand schools should embrace technology In fact, if there is a roadblock in New Zealand, provided by the Greater unquestioningly. it may be the lack of professional development Christchurch Schools Network. Fresh Made is the answer for The nutrient criteria are based Progress is happening thick and fast on the for teachers as much as socio-economic or schools and centres that want to on levels of energy, saturated fat, ground with the infrastructure. The government is infrastructure blockages. KEY points ensure their freshly made food is salt and fibre. Both everyday and spending $200m connecting 98 percent of schools Not enough is being spent on professional healthier, without compromising sometimes products are healthier to ultrafast broadband and providing wireless development currently, said one school principal • Ultrafast broadband and either the taste of the food or the choices. access to the rest. who didn’t want to be named. She says that ICT the Network for Learning providers’ profit margins. Fuelled4life is now used in 2617 By April of this year, 1300 schools had professional learning contracts are targeting lower are transforming the classroom. schools and early childhood centres participated in SNUP (School Network Upgrade decile schools. Smaller schools that don’t fall into Project), says Liz Stevenson, Project Leader that camp, but need professional development or How does it work? and over 600 products are listed in • Teachers need more Blended eLearning, Core Education Limited. to attend conferences such as ULearn simply can’t professional development Lunch suppliers with healthier the latest Buyers’ Guide. The Ministry of Education’s Network for afford it, the principal says. to make it work. menu options register their For more information contact the Learning (N4L) project to transform schools “If you want to improve (your knowledge of • Academics are food items with fuelled4life. fuelled4life team on 09 526 8425, to “technology-based learning environments” digital learning) you would have to hope that there concerned that the Fuelled4life checks that they email [email protected]. appears to be making progress in bringing is another teacher in your school who knows more implications of this latest meet its nutrient criteria and nz or go to www.fuelled4life.org.nz content and services to schools – despite than you do.” “fashion”, particularly for these healthier choices can then delays. It also seems likely it will be used as the curriculum, haven’t a tool to drive National Standards and other E-learning resources been thought through. be highlighted on websites and vi d a le xand er competition-based policies. One way forward, according to N4L’s education menus using the fuelled4life • Our students are But there is no doubt we’re still on the nursery sector lead Carolyn Stuart, is for teachers and becoming part of a massive “everyday” and “sometimes” slopes of digital learning. Schools have hurdles principals to start using technology more educational experiment.

logos shown at right. g r aphs : da P h oto to overcome, such as ICT procurement issues, themselves to improve their understanding. 4

winter 2013 | 23 technology SPECIAL PROMOTION Schoolgen: 4 “The problem with any technology learning is you If access to technology isn’t the main problem, a Genesis Energy initiative to teach the next don’t get it unless you use it. And unless you use it it’s how that technology is contextualised, says generation about solar energy and energy efficiency you don’t get it.” professor Stuart McNaughton of the School of Stevenson says teachers who don’t have access Curriculum and Pedagogy at the University of Genesis Energy has installed free every day. And it’s also an emergency to ICT professional development can access wide- Auckland. McNaughton is closely involved in the photovoltaic solar panels on the roofs centre for its community, able to provide ranging e-learning resources through Enabling Manaiakalani project. of 50 schools from Whangarei to Lake electricity for three to five days. e-Learning and also the Virtual Learning Network Tekapo. The panels provide the first All New Zealand schools, including chunk of electricity every day of the year those that are not part of the Schoolgen Some Christchurch schools that missed (VLN) e-learning community. At the same time, The curriculum challenge that there is sunlight. programme, can access teaching out on solar panels last year had a special not everyone agrees that the rapidly evolving “The pressing challenge at the moment is to Schoolgen Cluster Day in June. Forty With support from environmental resources for Years 1-13 on solar energy digital classroom where every child has their own understand how to design digital classrooms, students and their teachers were involved educators, schools use the panels as an and energy efficiency via the website. in activities such as building an electrical device is the answer to 21st century education. e-learning and teaching in ways that meet the onsite teaching resource and on Energy The site is tailored for use with new circuit powered by a mini photovoltaic solar national curriculum goals. We don’t know how Cluster Days, invite other schools in their technology in schools, especially ipads, panel and using diffraction glasses to check A giant experiment to do that properly at a national level,” says cluster to learn about solar energy and and includes links to e-books with out the solar spectrum. Schools are trialling new initiatives – some more McNaughton. “Innovations such as Manaiakalani energy efficiency. character voiceovers. than others. The trouble is it’s not clear which are bravely trying to figure this out.” Through the website www.schoolgen. The Schoolgen programme is also Schoolgen is running a competition models will be successful: our students may be part With access to technology improving rapidly, co.nz, schools display live data from their linked to the launch of New Zealand’s for students to design an energy of a massive educational experiment. Certainly there the challenge, says Stuart, will be for the pedagogy 2kW array and can compare it with other first Tomorrow Street School – Stanley efficient house. The competition, which is a growing body of thought that it’s a myth that and policy to keep up. There are plenty of voices schools across New Zealand and even in Bay Primary School on Auckland’s North has primary and intermediate sections, Australia – a great maths challenge. Shore. Tomorrow Street is made up of 15 closes on 1 November. For details, go to technology is going to be the be-all and end-all. calling for more research to be done before we Lake Tekapo School is the first school households trialing new energy-saving http://www.schoolgen.co.nz/community/ Professor Mark Brown, the director of the jump boots and all into digital learning. in New Zealand to also have a battery technologies that could transform the competitions/mean-green-house- National Centre for Teaching and Learning at Professor Howard Lee, head of the School bank, which it runs off for four hours way we use energy. competition-2013 Massey University, argues that technology and its of Educational Studies at Massey University, role in our schools needs to be better understood. and Professor Gregory Lee, education historian Brown says the question that concerns him Canterbury University, believe that we may revolves around: “What is it we are wanting digital not be questioning the march of technology education to do for us? How do we want this sufficiently. With every generation new myths technology to serve the education system? or “fads and fashions” appear in New Zealand’s “What is it we “Too often we are hearing about how education policy, the professors wrote in a letter to are wanting technology is driving changes to the nature of the Education Aotearoa. digital education education curriculum. I do not think we are having “(One) concern we have rests with the … to do for us? deep conversations about what that education assumption that the provision of, and emphasis system might look like.” on, ICT in schools means, ipso facto, that all How do we want learners will receive a high quality education. this technology Lacking vision to serve the Brown says that if there is an economic imperative Is the tool itself enough? education that school leavers become digitally literate then in “In this context there is an attempt to establish system? We are comparison to other countries New Zealand lacks a direct connection between provision and hearing about the strategic and visionary investment needed. outcomes. It may turn out that learning and how technology is There are also arguments that BYOD (bring your teaching are enhanced by such technology in driving changes own device) creates a digital divide. Even so there some way(s), but a strong case needs to be made to the nature of are schools in lower decile areas that have found for this as opposed to a bold declaration that this the education ways around the problem. For example, in the will occur.” curriculum [but] Manaiakalani Project which spans nine decile one A review of literature relating to e-learning I do not think we schools in the Tamaki area, every child has been and its implications – albeit in 2010 - by Noeline supplied with a netbook that the families are paying Wright found that although there was much in are having deep off at $3.50 a week. the way of literature, there was a relatively small conversations There are other projects in New Zealand amount of actual evidence about its relationship about what that to provide access to technology in struggling to improved educational and life chances for education system communities. These include the Computer in students. In the report, for the Ministry of might look like.” Homes programme, which will still support 600 Education, Wright said that the provision of a tool families next year. isn’t enough for effective learning. n

24 | education aotearoa winter 2013 | 25 And then we added sugar to the RECIPE: orange juice. More people liked the Squeeze 10 oranges taste of our juice once we put

Add 3 cups of water sugar in it. learning styles 1 TBSP sugar or honey divide into equal portions in 10 to be interesting, it must result in an effect size we need to be able to see that a student’s work is cups. substantially higher than 0.40. “Matching style of improving or being maintained. So if they want Are all learning learning” had an effect size of 0.41. to lie on the floor to do their work, or be mobile, styles approaches It seems intuitive, though, that we all learn if their work level drops then the learning style being unfairly 1 orange = 1/2 cup juice differently, doesn’t it? Yes, say the critics … and no. isn’t working.” tarred with the According to Pashler, and other critics, most of Former teacher Charlotte Humphrey says the “neuromyth” us have preferences about how we like information model “is a fantastic classroom management tool to be presented to us. And we do differ in our … it’s made me a much better teacher. Parents brush? Even if 5 cups juice aptitudes for different kinds of thinking. But these could always identify with the aspects of learning positive results differences are more about our own individual style we discussed, appreciated the practical ideas could be proven + 2 cups water = 7 cups abilities, interests and background knowledge than they were given for supporting their children at in an education any perceived learning style. As well, he says, some home, and loved experimenting with different setting, there’s students have specific learning disabilities requiring ways to learn themselves. ‘Wish we’d had the still no way of individual diagnosis and specific strategies. chance to learn like this’ was a common response. knowing the extent Pashler says teachers may be attracted to the “Most of the critics I’ve met, or whose work to which learning learning styles theory because we’ve all noticed how I’ve read, have misunderstood the intent and styles alone are one student can achieve enlightenment from an parameters of delivering the Dunn and Dunn responsible. approach that seems useless for another student. model in the classroom.” “There is, however, a great gap from such heterogeneous responses to instructional Many, many styles Science takes aim at manipulations … to the notion that presently The research around learning styles is problematic available taxonomies of student types offer any in that there are multiple models – 71 at one count valid help in deciding what kind of instruction to – often sharing little in common. Critics often cite offer each individual.” the VAK (visual/auditory/kinaesthetic) model when learning styles speaking generically of learning styles, but models Still popular like the Dunns’ have far more variables and also Elizabeth McLeod cuts through the thorny issue of learning styles, and other But if learning styles are irrelevant, then why propose extensive pedagogical changes. Critics may are they still popular in many of our learning sometimes be comparing apples with oranges. “neuromyths”, to discover some basic truths about good teaching. institutions, including some primary schools? So are all learning styles approaches being At one Whanganui primary school, students unfairly tarred with the “neuromyth” brush? ake a look at the following statements learning style. At the same time, learning can snack while they’re studying, lounge on the about the brain. Which ones are true, styles critics around the world are divided as to floor, or choose whether to do their learning as Outmoded, incoherent model T which false? whether learning styles actually exist. But they’re part of a group or alone. The school uses the Dunn Between 1995 and 2004, Tauranga’s Te Puna 1. We only use 10 percent of our brain. unanimous on one thing: there’s no empirical and Dunn learning styles model. School implemented a learning styles approach 2. There are multiple intelligences. evidence supporting the “meshing” theory, the At the beginning of the year, students identify which was held up as an international model. 3. There are left- and right-brain learners. idea that a student will learn best if taught in a their preferences in an extensive questionnaire Neil Towersey, the school’s current principal, 4. Certain types of food can influence brain method aligned with their learning style. which covers everything from what physical says catering for all styles in one classroom was “a functioning. An extensive literature review on the subject environment they prefer (dimly lit or bright, warm stretch for teachers”. 5. Individuals learn better when they receive by a Californian professor of psychology, Harold or cool, noisy or quiet, couches and beanbags “There was no formal assessment – they information in their preferred learning style (for Pashler et al (2008), found that very few studies or desks and chairs) to whether they prefer didn’t think conventional assessment was brain- KEY points example, auditory, visual, kinesthetic). used an appropriate experimental methodology; authoritative or collegial teachers. They also compatible - so I don’t think there would have • Neuroscientists and of those that did, several found results that consider whether they’re “global” or “analytical”, been any real analysis of whether catering for say “learning styles” They are all false. That is, according to the flatly contradicted the “meshing” hypothesis. and whether they are visual, auditory, tactile or learning styles in that fashion was academically in students are just neuroscientists who listed them. The scientists kinaesthetic learners. rigorous. I think that became an issue for the another “neuromyth”. asked 242 teachers in the UK and Holland to look No justification Classrooms are set up to accommodate these school over time, and when the next principal • But good teachers do at 32 statements about the brain, and indicate if “At present, there is no adequate evidence base to preferences, including partitions to allow for came in, people sort of thought ‘phew, we don’t use them, and related they were true or false. justify incorporating learning-styles assessments multiple study modes. have to do that anymore’ and it died its own death. techniques, as a lead- They found the concept of learning styles was into general educational practice,” Pashler said. “We do have ground rules,” says the principal. “It wasn’t particularly coherent. The

in to reflective and the most prevalent “wrong” answer: 82 percent New Zealand’s own Professor John Hattie did a o n tio ns : ad ele jacks “For example, they all understand that their programme was very prescriptive, kids were told responsive practice. of teachers believed that individuals learn better meta-analysis in 2009 of which factors influence favoured learning style preference is most ‘you will do this because it’s your learning style’. It

when they receive information in their preferred learning the most. He said that for an innovation s tr a illu important when the work is new or difficult; and didn’t take cognisance of the fact that children’s 4

26 | education aotearoa winter 2013 | 27 learning styles PaCT AND THE NATIONAL STANDARDS

classroom ideas have not been properly evaluated. “Secondly, if we understood more about when things worked, we could probably make them Working with work better — without the accompanying mumbo- jumbo, and on the basis of something more scientifically credible. “That leads to the third point, which is that the devil’s PaCT teachers really do care about the science that underlies what they’re trying to do. It’s the vacuum “The most impressive line-up of international speakers at a of credible ideas and knowledge — particularly co- New Zealand educational conference in years” will help educators constructed ideas that have been put together by educators and neuroscientists — that has allowed grapple with the tough issues facing our system, says Waikato the myths to evolve.” University’s Professor Martin Thrupp.

Narrow view of human ZEI’s conference, “Primary Education – and funded it because otherwise we would have no capability Taking Stock, Moving Forward” in January decent research on the standards.” Perry Rush, principal at Wellington’s Island N2014 will feature speakers from North He says they seem set to create a particularly Bay School (which doesn’t use learning styles), America and Europe as educators weather National incoherent version of high-stakes assessment in New 4 preference might be to be tactile, but they actually gets grumpy with science’s data-collecting Standards and face up to the PaCT, the ministry’s Zealand and one that is likely to repeat the narrowed needed to build capability across other modes of preoccupation. new “Progress and Consistency Tool”. PaCT will curriculum and manipulation of data found overseas. learning too. “The idea that theories shouldn’t be taught require teachers to tick off children’s work against “The risk then becomes that our conscientious “It’s an outmoded model. The best of what the without existing empirical support represents ministry exemplars in order to rank them against teachers try too hard to make it work – but with learning styles model offered is now incorporated an extremely narrow view of human capability. National Standards. enormous opportunity costs in terms of curriculum Waikato University’s into the new curriculum.” Empirical support has value, but the view that The Taking Stock conference will also highlight development, positive relationships with children and Professor Martin anything that can’t be empirically measured has Thrupp’s RAINS project (Research, Analysis and colleagues, work-life balance and other important Thrupp accepted an Like believing in God no legitimacy smacks of ‘ivory tower’ thinking. Insight into National Standards) — which is parts of being a good New Zealand teacher.” award earlier this That said, New Zealand education consultant Teachers as practitioners understand that many tracking six schools’ approaches to the standards New Zealand primary schools are still great year from the Tertiary Kelvin Smythe believes the teachers who use things that can’t be measured or validated — and discuss antidotes to the Global Education places to be, he said, but they are under multiple Education Union brain-based theories like learning styles are likely empirically, have value.” Reform Movement (GERM) that’s infecting pressures. “The conference will be a pivotal moment for promoting and to be successful, “not because of learning styles but Assistant Professor of Psychology at Randolph- education worldwide. to pause and review and to chart where we need to protecting academic because they’re usually very attentive teachers who Macon College, Virginia, US, Cedar Riener sees it put our collective efforts in the future.” n freedom. care. And if they like to think it works for them … slightly differently. 2012 data it’s like believing in God: who am I to cut across “In general, I’m in favour of trusting teachers’ When the Ministry of Education released the their beliefs? specific knowledge about their classroom and standards data for 2012 in June, Thrupp said any “But we can achieve those ideals by pupils. However, I’m a cognitive psychologist who claim of national improvement or decline would Speakers include thinking about variety in the activities we investigates theories of the mind. When teachers are be “spurious” given the unreliability of the data. • Barbara Comber, Research Professor, Faculty of Education, Queensland Teachers who provide, and referring to our own holistic, child- told to apply a certain theory of the mind, I can make Nevertheless, Minister Hekia Parata made a University of Technology. A recent study looked at mandated literacy assessment use brain-based centered tradition drawn from Beeby, Sylvia judgments about whether that theory in general number of very confident statements about what and the reorganisation of teachers’ work. theories like Ashton-Warner and Elwyn Richardson.” conforms to the available experimental evidence.” the data did and didn’t show about the education • David Berliner, a US educational psychologist, academic and author of books learning styles In that case, maybe at the end of the day it system and students.But Thrupp says, “Across the including the best-seller The Manufactured Crisis, and Collateral Damage: How are likely to doesn’t matter what the model is: learning styles Collaboration political spectrum no one else is trying to say it’s a High-stakes Testing Corrupts American Education. be successful, or something else. The important thing is to be a “I think a good comparison would be to research good data set so why on earth would the minister • Meg Maguire, a professor of the sociology of education at King’s College, London, “not because of reflective and responsive teacher. Right? the effect of different colour schemes on call it ‘powerful’? It’s either whistling in the dark UK. She’s written many books, and her paper for the conference is titled, “At the learning styles Not entirely, argues Paul Howard-Jones, a psychological states. Does red make people angry, or another case of spin over substance.” centre of the storm: ‘doing’ primary school teacher in ‘impossible’ times”. but because Reader in Neuroscience and Education from the or hungry, or whatever? There’s some limited To commentators who attacked him personally • Margie Ho-hepa, Associate Professor and the Associate Dean – Ma-ori, Faculty of University of Bristol, and a member of the team evidence that colours affect how we think or feel. over his comments, he responded: “Editorialists Education, Waikato University. Her paper is, “Titiro ki mua, haere ki muri: Staying they’re usually - very attentive that surveyed the teachers in the UK and Holland. But should teachers spend their time picking out often get it wrong – do they ever bother researching on the kaupapa in Maori medium schooling: Moving forward or returning back?” teachers who He told the UK’s All-Party Parliamentary group colour schemes for their classrooms? I’d argue that their views these days? I would be much more • Facilitator: Emeritus Professor Lester Flockton on Scientific Research in Learning and Education attention would be much better spent on making interested in feedback from people who have taken care”. that there are three problems with this way of the content well-organised, interesting to all the time to engage with RAINS. It’s a fantastic thinking. The first is that most “brain-based” students, and assessing their knowledge. n project and thank goodness the NZEI stepped up More about the conference at http://www.education2014.org.nz/

28 | education aotearoa winter 2013 | 29 the professionals the professionals

obituary resources... research Roy Norman our executive • The Future of Education Education Outside the • Early Years Research Centre 1924-2013 ‘family’.” When is an online discussion Classroom (EOTC) is now The University of Waikato’s Faculty of Roy Albert Norman he was made a community which includes available as online self-paced Education formally opened its Early Years was national fellow of NZEI, 300 recorded interviews with learning modules. The eight Research Centre in June. Led by Professor president of NZEI Te Roy was principal international educators. The modules can be completed Margaret Carr, the centre focuses on Riu Roa from 1973-4. of Mangere East site is devoted to providing at the time and pace that children aged 0 to 8 years. Professor Carr He was unsparing in School. He had an opportunity for people suits each individual, at no • ECE Thai style NZ education and transport unions, says it research will focus on the themes the time and energy he gave been a member for 28 years, who care about education to cost. They are suitable for all including NZEI, are funding Parami School for Burmese of pedagogy, policy, and community to the position and teachers including eight years on the share their voices and ideas teachers and leaders of EOTC, migrant and refugee children at Mae Sot in Thailand, to connections. “It has a social justice greatly appreciated his visits National Executive (1965- with others. http://www. sport and EOTC coordinators, extend teaching to Grades 9 and 10. The school is operated agenda and aims to make a difference for and the concern he showed for 1973. As NZEI representative futureofeducation.com/ school leaders, providers and by the Federation of Trade Unions of Myanmar (FTUM). young children, families and whānau in Aotearoa New Zealand their problems. His daughter, on the Central Advisory • EOTC – Free self-paced Board of Trustees members. UnionAID supports the federation’s Occupational Training and to provide cutting edge research,” she says. Recent projects Sue Jones, says the NZEI had Committee he was not only online PLD Email training.services@ Centre, which helps women get jobs and also to know their include museum education with children under five, evaluation always been a huge passion a skilled negotiator, but also Professional Learning minedu.govt.nz or phone 04 labour rights. www.unionaid.org.nz of early childhood education in Timor Leste, polyphonic video of her father’s. “As a family, the initiator of thoughtful and Development (PLD) for 463 0928. analysis of the perspectives of babies, the use of iPads in early the Institute was one of the constructive proposals to make childhood centres, a study of children after an earthquake, and constant parts of our lives. the teacher assessment more • Great Spaces for Teachers and Kapuka South schools. an exploration of documentation strategies in collaboration with We have fond memories of professional. Brinkman; photographer The Council for Educational Ring Sheree (03) 239 5822 or events kaiako in a kōhanga reo. • Children in Crisis Conference and scientist Robin Moore; Research (NZCER) is again Mark (03) 239 5020 Email Waikato University, 7- American sceptic Guy P holding its online Teacher [email protected] 9 October: A three-day Harrison; South African Workplace Survey during • Award for Trash into conference for teachers, dung beetle expert Marcus term three, with the chance Treasure author Early counsellors, social workers, Byrne and Harvard University to win one of three prizes of childhood teacher Adam academics and agencies. Professor Naomi Oreskes. $1000. In 2012 prizes went Buckingham was awarded a FOR EDUCATORS WHO WANT Keynote speakers include www.scienceteller.com to Tauranga Boys College Ministry for the Environment Jonathon Boston, Susan St • PB4L School Wide (1000+ students), Tolaga Green Ribbon in June. The TO GO PLACES - FASTER John, Russell Wills and Judith Conference 2013 Jointly hosted Bay Area School (250-1000 author of Turning Trash Nowotarski. Deadline for by NZEI, STA, NZAIMS, and students) and Clyde School into Treasure for Young The University of Waikato proposals: 31 July. Registration PPTA in Rotorua from 20-21 (under 250 students). Children, he designs and has introduced a 180-point Sick of winter chills and Government GERMs? closes: 31 August. For more September. Positive Behaviour http://www.nzcer.org.nz/ produces play equipment Masters, giving you the Come to sunny Napier for an antidote! information http://2013cic. for Learning School-Wide node/48574 using waste materials ranging chance to complete this internationally recognised The RTP Conference is a chance to refresh yourself professionally wordpress.com/ gives schools a framework to • Early Childhood Education from from steering wheels through science, arts, music and IT workshops in the Mediterranean • ScienceTeller Festival develop a social culture that Hui Auckland, 18-19 October. to kitchen taps. http://www. postgraduate degree in one environment of the Hawkes Bay, and to share and explore creative Dunedin, 25-27 October. The supports learning and positive A weekend of workshops trash2treasure.co.nz/ and a half years. and innovative strategies for teaching and learning with experts and festival celebrates storytelling behaviour from a whole-of- on how to advocate for all overview/ colleagues. and science through speakers, school as well as an individual children to access 5-star ECE, Whether you are wanting to enhance the contribution you make For U1 to U4 schools and beyond. Aspiring leaders and DPs welcome. films, workshops, talks and child perspective. Registration partnerships in bicultural to student achievement, develop your professional knowledge Great guest speakers exhibitions. Guests include closes 6 September http:// development in ECE, A’oga or move upwards in your career, postgraduate study at Waikato Dr Yong Zhao is an internationally known scholar, author, Canadian rapper Baba pb4lconference.co.nz/ Fa’a Samoa and more. Keynote University offers a wealth of options. 180-point Masters are and speaker. His works focus on the implications of speakers include Richie offered in Education, Educational Leadership, Disability and globalization and technology on education. Poulton and Anne Smith. Inclusion Studies, and Sports and Leisure Studies. Joseph Driessen is a leading international educator. Caption: ScienceTeller Joseph is high in demand as a speaker, facilitator and Festival http://tinyurl.com/ldtk4k5 And there’s no reason to wait until next year. You can start your education consultant. • Gorge Road School Jubilee study in B Semester (July), putting you one step ahead. 2014 Gorge Road and Kapuka Call: 0800 83 22 42 Registration forms are on the conference website www.principalconference.org.nz schools in Southland are Contacts: holding their 125th jubilee Faculty of Education Michael Lewis on 06 8566 840 or [email protected] from 14 to 16 March next year. Going somewhere slowly Te Kura Toi Tangata Alan Dustow on 06 8565833 or [email protected] The jubilee includes Morton – Adam Buckingham’s wheels Email: [email protected] www.waikato.ac.nz/education Mains, Oteramika, Waituna for play.

30 | education aotearoa winter 2013 | 31 reviews reviews Make it inclusive Best new books for kids Two new books support educators in the goal of keeping inclusivity at the heart of Felix & the Red Rats The Three Bears … Sort Of New Zealand’s public education system James Norcliffe Yvonne Morrison & Donovan Bixley $20 paperback $20 paperback Inclusive Education and attitudinal barriers to school and centre I know to After David’s great-uncle Felix comes A new take on an old favourite. – perspectives on inclusion might be addressed. have a copy and to use it in their to stay, strange things start to happen. Educators will sympathise with the professional practice The second considers social pursuit of inclusive education. A fun story of mysteries, adventure and narrator in who’s constantly being Centre of Excellence for learning outcomes, for all Furthermore, it will become friendship for ages 9+. interrupted. For ages 4+. Research in Inclusive learners, of inclusive education. recommended reading for Education Dunmore Publishing Section three takes the the next few years for all my The Song of the Ship Rat The Silly Goat Gruff This book reports on studies discussion of inclusive own students considering Ben Brown & Helen Taylor Scott Tulloch undertaken in association with education into the sphere of researching in the domain. $20 paperback $20 hardback the Massey University Centre interculturalism. Chapters — Dr Alexandra Gunn, Brown’s rich and lyrical verse flows Another retelling, this time of The of Excellence for Research in here discuss the need for non- University of Otago effortlessly in this sea shanty that begs Three Billy Goats Gruff, that combines Inclusive Education. It takes Pasifika teachers to build better to be read aloud. Ages 5+. inventive language with lively a broad view of inclusive understandings of Pasifika Te Aotūroa Tātaki: illustrations, and a great twist at the education, positioning inclusion parents’ expectations and inclusive early childhood A Nest of Pigs (Cook Islands) end. Read aloud for ages 4-7. as concerned with more than intentions, the nuances of education Kelea’s Clothes (Tonga) disability alone. policy and practice challenges Ed: Diane Gordon-Burns, Wrapping It Up (Samoa) Queen Alice’s Palaces Thirteen individual and small- facing teachers trying to work Alexandra Gunn et al Tareima’s String (Kiribati) Juliette MacIver & Lucia Masciullo scale studies are represented. collaboratively in the interests of NZCER Press Jill MacGregor $30 hardback Together, these demonstrate the students who speak languages Early Childhood Education is $25 each, paperback Queen Alice has the most “gilded and breadth of thinking and diversity other than English, and beginning an environment where diversity Highly pictorial books that feature goldest” palace in the land. But when of pedagogical problems that teachers’ senses of preparedness is the norm. While the Ministry children in their home islands going cunning Sir Hugh plots to take it (by inclusivists are engaging with in to teach Māori students effectively of Education seems to have about their lives. MacGregor is a former means of a military coup), will the kind- Aotearoa. Throughout the book through cultural self review. narrowed the definition of teacher who did VSA work in the Pacific. hearted queen to be able to outwit him? a stance is taken that argues inclusion to participation for Her stories have been published in the Clever rhymes for ages 3+. inclusion is about the rights of all Recommended reading children with special education School Journal. children to access and participate The book’s final section, needs, Te Aotūroa Tātaki in relevant and appropriate “differentiation issues”, addresses the issue of inclusion education that works with and expands thinking about in the broadest sense – how for them. inclusive education by debating early childhood educators can whether or not, and the extent to remove the barriers to place and The tragedy unfolding at Learning Media Attitudes, values which, inclusive education can voice for all children through We have in New Zealand a fine history protagonist, to recognise the landscape, That allowed them time to develop The book’s introduction makes attend to the educational needs reflective inclusive practice. of writing for children, a legacy developed and to connect with the story gave young into professional writers – David Hill, Joy the point that it will facilitate and aspirations of learners who Te Aotūroa Tātaki highlights over more than 100 years by School readers a sense of place and a pride in Cowley, Witi Ihimaera, Denis Glover are much discussion amongst are gifted and talented. the richness and depth of early Publications, and in particular by the our short history. amongst the stellar list of authors, and teacher educators, teachers and I think the book can be read in childhood education work and ever present and always excellent Many of our best authors, illustrators artists Dick Frizzell and Gavin Bishop, and others. To that end, each chapter several ways and because of this, what Te Whāriki can look like in School Journal. and photographers were given their photographer Ans Westra, are just a few contains questions for reflection it should find multiple audiences. practice. The authors examine In a world where most of the children’s start by School Publications under of the illustrators. that canvass attitudes, values, Reading the book from my stance and expose the systemic books came mainly from England and editors like James K Baxter, Jack Since 1907 School Publications has and inclusive practices as well as a (former early childhood) mechanisms and dynamics of featured snowy Christmases, red double- Lasenby and Roger Hall who set high been a world leader in its field – it would as some of the finer detail of teacher, it not only gives some marginalisation present in our decker buses and postmen who delivered standards themselves. be a tragedy if this rich history were to go chapter content. The authors strategies for practice it also society, practice and centres. the mail through a slot in the door, the Margaret Mahy had her first works the same way as Adult Education but now, of this book clearly want to provides several frameworks It provides the tools for journals provided stories, poems, articles published there, and many others as Learning Media, it is no longer assured challenge exclusion and support for challenging conceptions of understanding and building and illustrations by New Zealand authors have honed their craft, sustained and of government support and is being positive change. inclusion and exclusion at both solutions to barriers to and artists for our children about their encouraged by the payments and labeled as a failing SOE. Tragic indeed. n The book is in four parts. The local and global levels. inclusion. n lives. The ability to identify with the recognition they received. – John McIntyre, [email protected] first considers how structural I would encourage every – Susan Elliot, NZEI

32 | education aotearoa winter 2013 | 33 special promotion

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In all of the Win one of three copies of Gareth Morgan’s book The Big them the focus for real learning. understanding and love of both high tech on-line stuff that the ministry of education developed to support curriculum change, there Kahuna. He’s concerned about the high levels of child poverty Smythe unashamedly draws the subject and the child. Diaries is an enormous silence about just how creative teachers set about involving children in their own The Body Shop in New Zealand, and says jobs have gone for good from here his enthusiasm from New Many of the more • Stories and Satires Booklet One learning. No amount of professional development days, ticked boxes, flow charts, or compliance Treat yourself to a little mid- to the developed world, and we need to radically change our Zealand’s history, from the experienced in teaching will • Stories and Satires Booklet Two winter pampering. Win one of society. He wants to tax income and wealth, introduce a flat requirements can quite make up for the enthusiasm that children express when they find something work of Elwyn Richardson, and have had the good fortune to • Curriculum Booklet Three three $50 vouchers from The tax, abolish welfare, and pay everyone an Unconditional Basic shows that the essence of great have developed professionally that sends them off on their own voyage of discovery. But it takes a really serious teacher who has Body Shop. Income. Read his argument in The Big Kahuna. Each booklet $20: for two or more teaching is in allowing teachers when holistic teaching was of the same booklet $17.50 to create situations in which in the air, younger teachers,

Terms and conditions Competitions are open to New Zealand residents only. Only one entry per person per prize category. Prizes are not transferable or exchangeable and cannot be redeemed children are motivated by their though, aren’t so fortunate. Email: [email protected] saying for cash. Entry for this competition is limited to NZEI Members or NZEI Honorary Members. The prizes will be drawn on or after August 30, 2013. Winners will be notified by email.I f a winner is unable to be contacted or is unable to receive the prize, another winner will be chosen at random. Any personal information collected will be held by NZEI. You have rights to access personal information, own enthusiasms to explore, Through these books, how many you want and where to and to request correction of that information. NZEI has no liability or responsibility for lost, late or misdirected entries or prizes. Entry constitutes consent for NZEI to use names and/or photographs of winners for promotion and publicity purposes. As permitted by law, NZEI will not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage whatsoever, including personal injury which is investigate, and learn matters of however, they too can send them. suffered as a result of, or arising from persons(s) participating in the promotion or in connection with winning a prize. NZEI reserves the right to change these terms or cancel the competitions. By entering, you are deemed to accept these terms. significance for their future. experience those heady ideas.

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