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educationvol 2, No 1 summer 2011 issue date

12 top tips for new teachers The unique brain of the human baby discrimination National Standards and tamariki not so rosy across the ditch

Silver Fern Laura Langman Learning to succeed RRP $5.95

Change your life in Tokelau Aotearoa 22

Contributors Extreme short-throw projector

Optional double sided dry-erase board

Hear Integrated Speakers Ruth Mansell has been a lecturer and director at Wellington College of See Education, adviser for the Teachers ActivBoard Council, and Chair of the New Zealand included Council for Educational Research. 14

Optional laptop shelf Contents News Opinion Award-winning freelance journalist Editorials 4 Not so rosy? 42 Diana Clement specialises in writing Interact Australia’s pitfalls on personal finance and related topics 6 such as savvy spending. News Engage Motorised height-adjustable stand with control unit 8 Includes ActivInspire Industrial round up 10 Extra Professional Edition Briefs 12 Technology 32 Software Digital literacy engages underachievers Teacher Pen Optional drawer Features The professionals 35 Hidden wheels for safety Max starts school 14 Snip-it. Top tips for “Right Click” button But standards threaten new teachers “Left Click” tip Sarah Jones works at the web Silver Fern 18 Reviews 38 + GST design company Boost New Media Touch Student Pen School helped Best new books Just $8995 and has had previous roles in the Dual-User for kids and grown-ups e-Learning Team at the Ministry of functionality Change your life 20 Education and as e-Media Manager at Letter from Tokelau Giveaways 40 Learning Media Ltd. Key features Babies’ brains 22 Diana Clement on the cuts Sturdy deSign High quality components built to last The show must go on 26 HeigHt adjuStable Easily raise and lower the ActivBoard for accessibility Drama and music and easy movement between rooms Support staff 28 dlP tecHnology No filter maintenance dramatically reduces costs Something’s not right long lamP life Industry first 6,000 hour lamp reduces replacement cost Optional storage drawer Optional shelf with lockable Julie Ash grew up in Hawera and has can be locked for security storage holds up to 17” laptop been a journalist for the last 13 years, working for the New Zealand Herald, TVNZ and the Dominion Post. For resources, video, blogs and more www.educationaotearoa.org.nz 3K For NZEI HELP call 0800 693 443 Follow EA on Twitter: EducationNZ ZZZDFWLYERDUGQ]FRP summer 2011 |  editorials

Consensus The true cost breakdown of standards An historic consensus that has delivered At the end of last term, large numbers New Zealand one of the highest- of children went home with reports that performing primary education systems did not accurately reflect their learning in the world is breaking down. progress and achievement levels, according to a poll of In the post-war years, New Zealand developed an education teachers conducted by EA at the end of last year (see The Poll system led by the likes of Dr Charles Beeby at the Ministry of Result, p6). Education that acknowledged educationalists as professionals. Why are the reports inaccurate? The answer is simple— A working consensus operated between the Ministry of National Standards. And the answer is complex—nationally Education, teachers and principals (represented by NZEI), consistent assessment of primary children’s achievement academics and researchers—and it was respected by the levels, if it is to be done properly, is akin to NCEA for our The Big Event is a new teaching governments of the day. Together, we pursued the goal of youngest students. It cannot be introduced effectively on resource built on SOLO Taxonomy. achieving the best possible education for children. It was able a political whim, as this government has tried. And it is to evolve and improve to meet new challenges, and it put us at questionable whether an NCEA-style system is appropriate for It's a collection of 10 flexible the top of international rankings. primary-aged children—although it will certainly be expensive. But since the 1980s, an education reform movement driven Which begs two more questions: has the Minister of Education inquiries that support by a big-business agenda has gripped the English-speaking achieved what she set out to do with the standards—that is, world. It attempts to sideline the role of professionals and, not improve reporting to parents and identify underachievers? smart and safe surprisingly, where it has been tried, achievement levels have There are many ways to improve reporting to parents, declined. Up until recently, New Zealand has managed to but imposing a complex and untrialled regime on a travelling around hold off the reform movement’s worst excesses. But National successful system is not one of them. And we can already New Zealand. Standards, and associated measures, have breached the walls. identify the underachievers—the net data collected at age Primary education has become political and polarised. six does it with accuracy. In the US, the reform movement has reached ludicrous I heard a teacher from a lower-decile school tell a forum proportions. A billionaire philanthropist recently announced recently that she had identified six six-year-olds in her class he would make a $US100m donation to a state’s education as needing Reading Recovery—her judgment was backed by Teachers can use large events as an authentic department—but only on the proviso that it changed certain the net data. But there were only two places funded for these context for each resource, which connect education policies. The US spends far more on education than children, and they would not be available for some months. with most learning areas in the New Zealand we do, and achieves far less—yet this is where we are heading. Expensive patch-ups to fix the problems unfolding from Education will be an election issue this year. Let’s National Standards are coming at a cost to today’s children. Curriculum. They are freely available, get the facts out there. downloadable and editable.

Paul Goulter Ian Leckie National Secretary National President NZEI Te Riu Roa Te Manukura WWW.education.nzta.govt.nz Managing editor Stephanie Mills To advertise: call Maree Selak, 09 589 1054, Editor Jane Blaikie www.hawkhurst.co.nz, or email [email protected] viSit Design and production Alice Bell, Tangible Media To subscribe, email: [email protected] Cover photo Michael Bradley To contribute, email: [email protected] www.education.nzta.govt.nz Disclaimer: The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those All rights reserved. Address: 12th Floor, Education House, of NZEI Te Riu Roa or its members. Education Aotearoa is New Zealand’s to access neW curriculum resources for 2011. West Building, 178 Willis St, Wellington 6140 foremost publication dedicated to celebrating and informing educators working Website: www.educationaotearoa.org.nz or www.nzei.org.nz in early childhood and primary education. For NZEI HELP call 0800 693 443 ISSN 1176-5062

 | education aotearoa summer 2011 | 

Travelling Safely - EdAotearoa Jan2011.indd 1 27/12/2010 2:18:36 p.m. The poll results* interact If your school sent home reports to parents at the end of last year that stated against in my life. I’m of their children were well and bi-lingualism is a major What a shame that our Letters to the editor Samoan descent and I have below, below, at or above the contributor to the overall minister fails to recognise Support staff need only the teachers need to worked very hard to get National Standards, were academic success of Pasifika that these qualities have these reports an accurate decent pay upskill in computer use—they where I am; fighting against reflection of the children’s students in our schools. always enabled us to make I am a computer technician are going to have to give all of those teachers who learning progress and The Government’s recent pertinent overall teacher with over 13 years’ experience, decent pay and conditions for thought all I could do was play achievement levels? decision to halt production of judgements that improve and have been in my current support staff who maintain sport or the guitar; working Yes the TUPU Pasifika language learning outcomes for job maintaining a secondary computers and networks. against the store detectives 43% series will penalise Pasifika children without the need for school’s computers for the Tim Funnell, who still follow me around No students and undermines the National Standards. last 10. For the first seven Opotiki the shops, assuming I am 37% value of bi-lingual education. And who are we kidding years at the school I was paid another “brown” thief in their Somewhat Taking away a resource that we will achieve “National This issue’s from the administrative pay winning letter midst; being stopped by the 20% that makes a difference Standards”? Based on the scale, grade A, which I see as police because I was told I fit and spending millions on many conversations I have had * Results from a phone survey of 80 nothing more than an office a “profile”; being one of only randomly selected NZEI teachers implementing unproven with colleagues from other - junior. It was only after I was Return of the old boy a handful of Maori/Pasifika Read more on National National Standards does not schools, we are all frustrated offered a job in the private I’ve been stewing. I’ve been students at high school, Standards on pp 14-17 make sense. about exactly how to make the sector that I was moved to simmering in a bad tasting university and teacher’s Karl Vasau, necessary decisions to be able grade B. juice made by a marketing college, and still I am the only Porirua to report on the standards. Professional development consultant who spoke at a “brown” face at my school. Confusion and NZEI meeting in my area I was and doesn’t flummox the is non-existent for someone in Pasifika students’ celebration This person was supposed Millions wasted Confusion and frustration frustration abound! the only male present. general reader with statistics. my situation and because my in Christchurch. He engaged to be a man of standing, a I am a Pacific principal of a In our schools we receive Belinda Buchanan, Most teachers do genuinely Alana Spragg’s letter from pay is so low I can’t afford to his tongue before his brain respectable CEO and director, school with a predominantly an incredible amount of Kaiapoi appreciate the value of the South Australia also needs pay for it myself (a typical when he assured the audience but he has shown himself Pacific school community. literature, much of which teacher aides but the teacher wider exposure. five-day industry course for the students “can all read and just to be another “old boy” Along with my Board we have to read and many Teacher aide aides themselves do not. Elizabeth Purdie, a basic qualification costs write”, but I refuse to digest who has forced his racist of Trustees, I know the other publications that we I have two jobs. One involves Name and address Wellington $2500, plus accommodation that poor excuse for a number comments down my throat. I government’s National can choose to read or ignore. working for my local council, withheld and meals). of racial undertones. refuse to eat them. Standards policy will not Thanks for an education for which I am paid $30 Editor reponds: If the government is so This man epitomised Rebecca Baynton, do anything to lift the magazine that I insist on an hour. My other job is Joy Cowley Mainstream media tends to intent on ICT in schools, not everything I have fought Christchurch achievement of our children. reading from cover to cover. as a teacher aide at a high Thank you for publishing pigeonhole NZEI as a lobby Second language learners Your magazine contains a school - for this much more Joy Cowley’s views on group, regardless of the often appear to lag behind in wide variety of information demanding job I am paid National Standards. validity of the argument. With achievement, especially in and commentary that gets to $15.20 an hour. I do not get (EA—spring issue). I read increasing politicisation of From the archive the first years as they learn to the heart of what is important paid at all for three months it to my book group and it public education, and with operate in a different culture to educators across the of the year as I am “term time was heartily endorsed with poor media scrutiny, the Silent Revolution *** and school environment. sectors. I am always heartened only”, meaning this pay rate more than one commenting role of citizen journalism is Today’s headlines are likely to assume a familiarity Appropriate resources in our to discover that although averages out to about $10 per it was a pity the article was becoming more important. with – if not an understanding of – the computer. children’s own language, teachers are extremely busy hour. I am also employed as published in a magazine of I would urge you to circulate One contributor to this issue, in fact, advises that it good quality early childhood and often under a reasonably “term by term”, meaning I limited circulation. the article to friends and is not necessary to understand them; it is essential education, Pasifika teachers, high degree of stress, there are do not know from one term Would it be possible networks – if any readers to get on and use them. and support programmes for many of us who keep up with to the next whether or not to have it published to a would like a digital copy of the With the help of a small advisory committee parents can help. the issues that will ultimately I will be required, so the wider audience – national article and photograph, email of teachers experienced in the educational use It is of great concern that affect teaching and learning. planning of any annual newspapers, The Listener, or educationaotearoa@nzei. of computers, the Institute is in the process of the National Standards are Teachers are intelligent, holidays is impossible. even the Woman’s Weekly? org.nz. We have Joy Cowley’s assessing its attitudes and formulating its own policy on the subject. resourced by taking money motivated, passionate and As a union member and a The article is so pertinent permission to do this. The advantages to children in a properly co-ordinated plan for computer- away from programmes that future-focused. These male I have discovered I feel in assisted learning seem enormous. The challenges to teachers – the opportunities are currently working for qualities are behind the huge this vocation that I am more and benefits, as well as the stress inherent in change – are matters which must Pasifika students. Research success that New Zealand or less unrepresented because also be to the fore in the Institute’s thinking. shows that students who teachers are able to achieve the bulk of teacher aide staff NB: The term ‘computer’ used in this issue generally refers to (one, or several have strong literacy in their with New Zealand children around the country are female linked) microcomputers. Ed. – National Education, September, 1985 own language have greater as reported in several and for most it is the second Our winning letter writer receives a $100 book voucher—send success in literacy in English, international studies. income of the family. At an your letter to [email protected]

 | education aotearoa summer 2011 |  news news

A vision for public education different to what we saw,” Winning teacher NZEI will launch Advancing Quality Public Education, its says National Secretary Paul Oamaru teacher Melanie Sloan vision for the sector, as election year kicks off. The vision Goulter. Union celebrates after being named draws a line in the sand about what really matters in public The Cabinet paper on the Attitude Awards Supreme education, in the face of increasingly strident attacks from school PPPs also indicates AID Winner. She also won the a business-based reform agenda. In brief, the vision states, the financial benefits of PPP Help vulnerable workers Spirit of Attitude Award, which “Quality public education is essential because it helps build schools are uncertain. EA in developing countries in our region get a fairer deal. recognises an unsung hero was informed the costs in the a fair, prosperous society in which all can participate fully, UnionAID is the only New who lives life with positivity and from which all can benefit. Quality public education business case were “give or Zealand overseas aid agency while facing extreme adversity. is the very foundation of an active democracy, a rich and take five percent”, meaning that places workers’ rights at The Attitude Awards celebrate diverse society and a strong economy. It enriches and that the stated financial the centre of its work. outstanding achievements of strengthens our local communities and families.” benefit of around two percent Phone 0900 UNAID Kiwis living with a disability. Read more at www.nzei.org.nz. is well within this margin of (0900 862 43) to automatically Melanie, 29, has juvenile error. The paper shows the DARK DAYS: Teachers at the Ashburton Baptist Early Learning donate $30 from your phone bill (children, ask your parents rheumatoid arthritis, which is a painful inflammation of government is consulting Centre wore black to mark the day funding cuts began to first). the joints that causes swelling. She lives with chronic Culture shift upmarket areas of New York, with PPP providers on the take their toll. Staff had taken pay cuts of up to $12,500 to pain. In spite of this, she decided at an early age to excel The final report of the Support she suggested they might preparation of its business accommodate the $70,000 a year of funding it lost due to Visit www.unionaid.org.nz to find out more about the academically and help others. She began teaching in 2004 Staff Workforce Strategy is due like to hold more ‘bring- cases, including with government cuts. (Left to right, back) Manager Lorraine Bennet projects on the Burma-Thailand at St Joseph’s School in Oamaru and now manages the out in early February. NZEI is a-pet-to-school’ days. She Australian contractors. Some and Steph Moses, (front) Natalie Burbidge, Margaret Holmes border, South India, Vietnam, middle syndicate. hopeful it will drive a culture finished up the year with an $3.5 million was allocated in and Rose Hawkes. See feature p22. Laos and Timor-Leste. shift in schools. Case studies appearance on The Apprentice 2010 to set up the first school and more resources for schools with Donald Trump. PPP project—enough to build will follow the report. The a small school, with more Supporting the strategy, developed by NZEI, Educators shut out funds needed for 2011. Work Pike River mine Considering promotion? the Ministry of Education of PPP deal on the first PPP school could community and the School Trustees Educators are to be consulted begin as early as January 2012. By late afternoon on the day Seeking a teaching position? Asssociation, encourages on Public Private Partnerships In the UK, PPPs have been of the first Pike River mine Aspiring Principals, DPs, APs, HODs, Teachers school leaders to see that a (PPPs) for new school projects coming under increasing explosion, NZEI members school is a system and that —but only once the decision to scrutiny as schools and who are part of the Ministry support staff are integral to go ahead has been made. hospitals, grappling with of Education’s traumatic ONLINE PACKAGES achieving quality teaching and NZEI found out about budget cuts, find themselves incident team were on For application writing and interview learning. It will be published the consultation by way of locked into expensive and the ground in Greymouth NZ packages now available for immediate download on www.nzei.org.nz. (See an OfficialI nformation Act inflexible contracts for making contact with local These outstanding packages are specifically designed for feature p28.) request for the Cabinet paper maintenance that must principals and ECEs. They teachers applying for teaching or leadership positions in that supported the stage one be paid ahead of student held a meeting on the Sunday New Zealand schools. Each package contains a booklet and Coke is it business case. PPPs are being or patient services. One night, attended by about PowerPoint with helpful writing hints, as well as samples of The big-business agenda at considered for a cluster of commentator, writing in The 100 teachers plus other cover letters, CVs, selection criteria and many helpful hints the core of education reforms new school building projects Guardian, went so far as to interested people such as and ideas for a dynamic interview performance. in the US showed its muscle and would involve 25-30 year say, “Many PPP deals were Child Youth and Family, • Principal – $135* at the end of 2010 with the contracts with private sector undemocratic and against clergy and Pike River mine • Deputy & Associate Principal – $135* appointment of a director operators to finance, design, the national interest. It’s representatives. Support • HOD (secondary) – $99* of Coca-Cola to run New build, operate and maintain time we stopped honouring was ongoing into the New • Classroom Teacher – $99* York’s public schools. Cathie schools. NZEI’s president them.” (tiny.cc/00if8). Year. The MOE has an 0800 For further details and to order, please go to Black, who is also chair of and national secretary visited Read the Cabinet paper at service, checklists, guidelines Hearst Magazines, did not an Australian PPP school in www.educationaotearoa. and provides workshops for www.teachers-resumes.com.au attend public schools herself, Victoria at the end of 2010, org.nz. Stop press: PPTA schools and ECEs to help o n g u a r dian Tel: (+61) 411 245 415 did not send her children to and were pleasantly surprised and NZEI have met with them prepare and respond to Email: [email protected] public schools, and has no at the outcome. Rodney Hide, the minister crises or traumatic incidents. *Prices in Australian dollars educational qualifications or “However, the model that responsible for school PPPs, Education Aotearoa will

o g r aph : a s hb ur t and he has agreed to further Teachers’ Professional Résumés experience. After spending a the New Zealand government t publish more about the team’s

day visiting public schools in is considering appears to be ph o discussions. work in the autumn issue.

 | education aotearoa summer 2011 |  briefs ThE NEw wAy TO FuNdRAIsE! And best of all it’s great for everyones health, brilliant for the planet and even better for your bank balance! But why SafeBottles? Read on and you’ll find out why... hAVE yOu EVER AsKEd yOuRsELF... Industrial t
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Bottled water costs more than $3.50 100 MILLION plastic water Do you keep bottled water per litre.Petrol costs approx $1.70 per bottles are used each in your car? You thought litre. Tap water is FREE day. 86% of those bottles it was convenient, didn’t AREN’T recycled. In New you? But consider this... It takes approximately 4 litres of water Zealand it’s 78%. The heat in your car on the to make just 1 plastic bottle. Worldwide plastic bottle can cause it that’s 272 BILLION litres of water The United Nations Environment to leach out chemicals that wasted per year just to make the EMPTY bottles! Programme estimates there are can lead to BREAST and other types of CANCERS. 46,000 pieces of FLOATING plastic On average we each use 168 in every square mile of the ocean. And even though you might not keep it in the car, For a brilliant explanation of the education reform movement plastic bottles per year costing more However 70% of all plastic actually do you know what extreme temperatures it has been that’s dealing to schools throughout the English-speaking than $580. sits on the ocean floor! though BEFORE you bought it? world, check out Sir Ken Robinson on YouTube (tiny.cc/ Your health can be They also estimate Stored in warehouses where temperatures vary damaged by toxic more than 1 MILLION from -3C to 29C losww)—it’s a squeaky-pen animation that explains the chemicals such as Bisphenol-A (BPA) birds and 100,000 • New collective agreements for primary principals thinking behind the likes of National Standards. and other chemicals which can be mammals die every Transported in trucks where temperatures vary leached from bottled water. BPA year from plastics - by from 37C to 65C and teachers have been negotiated with the Ministry of intake can also cause Cancerous poisoning, entanglement Cells in your body. and choking. Loaded and unloaded where temperatures Education, and the settlements have been ratified by an vary from 7C to 37C overwhelming majority of members. The settlements give The environment 40% of Albatross chicks die from their mothers is tainted by feeding them plastic. Distributed to stores where temperatures vary a 2.75% pay rise, along with a $300 lump sum payment and High standards Research shows that students the Production, from 12C to 37C some other improved conditions. Both agreements expire New Zealand maintained its who have strong literacy in their Transportation, And ironically we’re poisoning ourselves, as when Packaging and Disposal fish ingest it, the plastic goes through the complete Finally to you. in August 2012. high ranking in the OECD’s PISA own language have greater of plastic water bottles. cycle of the food chain. rankings of student achievement, success in literacy in English. • However, negotiations for area school teachers coming in well ahead of other The following are quotes deadly toxin is being absorbed into bottled mineral There are enough warning signs to show the need to relating to BPA and water from their plastic containers. And the longer the act sooner rather than later. There are growing concerns and principals have still not been completed. These English-speaking countries such ERO dates chemicals found in plastic water is stored, the levels of poison increase, research about bottled water in particular in plastic bottles. The agreements cover both primary and secondary teachers, as the US, UK and Australia The Education Review Office water bottles. reveals. Jo Knowsley safest option is stainless steel. Breastchek.co.nz and principals respectively and are jointly negotiated by which have introduced greater (ERO) has published its list Taylor suggests that when pregnant There are over 200 independent scientists, not in The National Toxicology Program of the National Institutes women are exposed to the conflict financially with this chemical (BPA), saying we of Health concluded that there is “some concern” that NZEI and PPTA. accountability and high-stakes of forthcoming reviews of oestrogen mimicking properties find it relating to obesity, prostate cancer, breast cancer, BPA may cause problems in foetuses, babies and children, found in BPA, it can impact the reproductive tract diabetes, brain disorders such as attention deficit including breast or prostate cancer early onset of female testing reforms. Out of ECE services and schools for development and the future fertility of female foetuses. hyperactivity disorder, liver disease, ovarian disease, puberty, attention deficit disorder and other problems of • Paid union meetings for support staff members will all the OECD countries we 2011: www.ero.govt.nz/. ERO In essence this research shows that BPA may prevent disease of the uterus, low sperm count for men and the the reproductive and neurological systems. David Gutierrez the embryo from attaching to the uterus for further list goes on. David Gutierrez Natural News Bisphenol A is such a dangerous chemical that I have be held between February 28 and March 11. Members ranked: reading – 4, maths – 7, says it will now regularly publish development. Environmental Health Perspectives found that detectable no doubt it will one day be banned from all food and beverage products. Frederick vom Saal will be asked to vote on the proposed claim for their science – 4. Read the reports at a list of the early childhood In men the oestrogen mimicking effects of BPA levels of BPA leached into liquids at room temperature. agreement. More information will be available from support www.educationaotearoa.org.nz. services and schools that have have been known to block some of the more important This means just having your plastic water bottle sitting on High concentrations of antimony can cause nausea, effects that testosterone has on sexual functioning. your desk can be potentially harmful. The best thing to do vomiting and diarrhoea. Evidenced by the recent study staff contacts and worksite reps early in term 1. A full already been notified of theirERO Those who were exposed to BPA were four times more is to avoid plastic altogether. C W Randolph, MD which was also highlighted here at likely than those who were not exposed to report some The latest study showed that women with a history of Natural News where 90% of cord list of meeting times will be posted on www.nzei.org.nz. Pasifika resources review dates. sort of sexual dysfunction. Associate Professor of Department of miscarriages were found to have higher levels of BPA blood from babies was found to Reproductive Sciences - Yale contain BPA.2. Aaron Turpen Meetings were also being held for members covered by the ‘paused’ in their bodies. The women who had miscarriages were kaiarahi i te reo, therapists, ATSSD and special education A decision to halt production of Attention new Like BPA, these chemicals leach into the water more found to have BPA levels on average about three times To see each of the quotes in full quickly when the plastic is heated, so don’t leave these higher than women who had successfully given birth. and the source please go to assistants collective agreement, which like the support Pacific Island reading materials teachers water bottles in a hot car or out in the sun. A potentially David Steinman www.safebottles.co.nz staff agreement, expires on March 31. penalises Pasifika students The Teachers Council has and undermines the value developed new Registered CALL us ON 0800 777 444 FOR A FuNdRAIsING PACK. Visit www.safebottles.co.nz for more details on SafeBottles. • Bargaining for kindergarten teachers began in mid of bilingual education. The Teacher Criteria (RTC) to Gary Collins January, in the context of government cuts to funding. Ministry of Education says it replace the Satisfactory Teacher P.S. There’s an iron-clad, lifetime money-back guarantee on all bottles. Managing Director The agreement expires on February 28. is “pausing” production of the Dimensions. From January 18/8 food grade quality stainless steel Fits most cup holders FDA approved Fits ice cubes Doesn’t retain or leach flavours Dishwasher safe TUPU Pasifika language series. 2011, the RTC must be used I I I I I • Proposed terms of settlement for an agreement covering The TUPU series is a set of for Year 1 PRT advice and The first 25 MoE special education field staff and service managers Pacific language readers for guidance programmes, and schools that book will receive had been reached, and a ratification ballot is being beginners in a range of Pacific by all renewing teachers. See one FREE conducted. languages which contribute to the Teachers Council website bottle for each teacher! bilingual education programmes and www.nzei.org.nz for more in schools. details. BPA-free, toxin-free and eco-friendly I Various sizes and colours available I Designed to last I 100% recyclable I No plastic liner I Free sports lid

10 | education aotearoa briefs REAL


 S U P P O RT

Pay equity. Not That blind woman A new report from the Human Julie Woods, known as “that Rights Commission shows blind woman”, has set out on a EBS WHY TAkE THE rISk? EBS Disability women are losing ground in plan to visit every New Zealand Mortgage Income terms of pay and employment intermediate school, with her It’s a fact of life that we all get sick, and sometimes seriously. The cost of Protection Protection equity. Women’s participation inspirational presentation recovery from an illness like cancer or heart attack can have a huge impact. in governance, professional “Cooking Without Looking”. That’s when you need Living Assurance. EBS Health EBS Total and public life has slipped, Julie lost her sight in 1997. Living Assurance is one of the benefits offered through EBS – the Education Care Permanent and women in the public According to Calsey from Benevolent Society. Disablement sector are paid 15 percent Papatoetoe Intermediate less than men doing the same School, “I didn’t realise being Living Assurance – what is it? You or similar work. A separate blind could be cool!” Living Assurance is about helping you with survival. New Zealanders are EBS Living suffering an increasing incidence of cancer and we still experience high levels EBS Standard report of the Pay Equity www.thatblindwoman.co.nz. Assurance Arts Festival for Children of heart disease and stroke. With ongoing advances in medical science, we Plan Review of the Compulsory have greater chances of surviving a serious medical condition. In many cases, Capital E in will hold its fifth biennial National Arts Festival this survival period can be measured in years. Schooling Sector found that Cheaper airfares EBS in Wellington. Creating wind instruments from household across all occupational groups Air New Zealand is running Living Assurance is designed to pay a lump sum to you if you suffer a critical Family EBS Life objects, sailing a boat made from bread, and finding the cure illness, to ensure that you can cope with the consequential effects on your Cover in schools, there were areas deals for educators who must lifestyle, family and work. Protection for a humpback whale with a broken heart – all feature. where women were not being take their holidays in the In the year to June 2010, Sovereign paid out just under $29 million in cancer 12-27 March 2011, www.capitale.org.nz. treated fairly or were being school breaks, and so miss out claims, $8 million of these claims were for breast cancer. discriminated against in terms on the usual specials. Check of pay, career advancement it out at www.teacherxpress. Did you know? and the value of their work. co.nz. The site is for support staff too. You’ll need your Fibre costs One in five men and one in seven womenbetween the ages of 30 and 64 will suffer a critical illness.1 personal MoE number, Education Minister Anne In 2005, there were 18,610 new cancer cases and 7,970 cancer deaths in found on your payslip, and Tolley and Communications 2 be in to Win New Zealand. your school MoE number and Information Technology 52% of male and 59% of female cancer patients will recover and be A COMPAq COMPuTEr Overtime! to register. There are other Minister Steven Joyce alive five years later.3 Teachers invoiced the government for the extra hours they freebies up for grabs too. announced the government Every day, about 22 people in New Zealand have strokes (about 8,000 worked above 80, during two weeks in November, as part of would cover costs associated people per year).4 The University of Auckland has revealed a 40% decline in the number of deaths after stroke in the total population of Auckland, bargaining for a new collective agreement. Te reo with getting physical over the past 25 years. However, as the death rate declines, there has been NZEI has called on various fibre, necessary for ultra- significant increase in the number of patients suffering from an impaired • Vanessa Short, Whitford: extra hours –19.5 governments to make te fast broadband, from the level of consciousness and mobility following a stroke.5 Monday and Tuesday – 15 minutes to eat lunch, 30 minutes reo Ma-ori compulsory in the street to school buildings. 1 Gen Re LifeHealth ‘Australian Critical Illness Survey 2008’ on duty, 15 minutes marking. Wednesday, Thursday and primary sector, but to no avail. Previously schools had to 2 New Zealand Health Information Service – Cancer: New registrations and deaths, 2005 Friday – 15 minutes to eat lunch, 45 minutes selecting books, 3 South Australian Cancer Registry, 2003 Perhaps they’ll take more pay what could mount up to filing resources, planning, marking, backing and putting up 4 New Zealand Stroke Foundation Inc, 2007 notice now that the Auckland thousands of dollars. artwork, writing certificates, researching internet for topic 5 The George Institute for International Health, in collaboration with Auckland City Hospital private school King’s College and The University of Auckland, 2007 inquiries, professional reading. has made te reo compulsory Success for all? • Stacy Wild, Invercargill: extra hours – 29 for all Year 9 students? The Special Education Review Extra support for special needs children, supervising report, Success for All, Find out more All NZEI members who call the EBS helpline to arrange children, taking touch rugby and flipper ball practices, Scholarships sets out positive changes, an appointment with an EBS representative before speaking with parents, meetings with outside agencies. Applications for the 2011 although some issues remain, An EBS representative is available to help you identify the 31 March 2011, will go into the draw to win a Compaq • Jonathon Garbutt, Lower Hutt: extra hours – 35 Variety Gold Heart Scholarship including the need for extra risks to your lifestyle. If you’d like more information, call computer package for the school of their choice. progr in art, education, sport training and support for our EBS Helpline on 0800 268 3763 or visit the following Network administrator for the school computer network, ICT Just mention this competition when you and music. Up to six recipients teachers and support staff. websites: helpdesk (within school), three duties per week, purchasing call the EBS helpline. advice (ICT equipment), lesson preparation, coaching. receive up to $5000 per The report recommends www.ebs.org.nz www.nzei.org.nz annum for up to three years extra specialist resources for • Angela Pickering, Redwoodtown: extra hours – 61 and are matched with a children in their first three The competition is provided by Sovereign Services Limited (Sovereign). Kapahaka practice; behaviour goal-setting and checking mentor in their field. www. years of school and aims to The competition will be drawn on 1 April 2011, and the judge’s decision is with the four behaviour needs children in my room; planning, final. The winner will be notified by phone before 7 April 2011. There is one variety.org.nz/variety-gold- have 80 percent of all schools prize for this edition of Education Aotearoa. The prize is not redeemable for organising and running overnight camp; report writing. heart-scholarship-fund- being fully inclusive of special cash. One entry per person. Sovereign may vary, suspend or terminate this xidc25879.html. needs students by 2014. competition at any time. Sovereign will not be liable for any loss incurred in connection with this competition or prize.

12 | education aotearoa national standards Taking action A coalition of some 300 schools has formed to take a stand against National Standards. They are refusing a ministry request to set targets of student achievement against the standards in their charters. Schools joined the Boards Taking Action Coalition despite the heavy-handed tactics from ministry officials.S ome were told their action was illegal, Max although this is not the case. starts school Standards New Zealand primary teachers have a tradition of teaching that keeps the discriminate sparkle in the eyes of new entrants. We focus on children learning at their - own rate. We must resist the straitjacket of inappropriate assessment and against Maori reporting for National Standards, says Ruth Mansell National Standards discriminate against Ma-ori students, says Hita Foster, principal of Te Kura - y neighbour Max is starting school, school-type assessment, irrelevant so many years Kaupapa Maori o Otepou and kaihautu of NZEI Te Riu bursting with confidence and curiosity.I n before they need to pass NCEA? Roa’s Te Reo Areare. - M the unique New Zealand tradition, he “The tail of Maori achievement isn’t coming comes to school on his fifth birthday, the only child What’s happening to primary from kids in kura, it’s coming from kids in English- to start on that day. His teacher and his classmates schools now? medium schools—and that’s where 85 percent of - focus their attention on him, get to know him, and In a climate of economic and social uncertainty, Maori children go. support him as this week’s new boy. government policy is focussed on accountability, “Yet these standards don’t recognise the cultural - - New Zealand primary schools have a special demanding that primary teachers and children context of Maori students—and Maori children ethos of learning and teaching that builds on each spend more of their time and energy on endless learn best within their cultural context, when their child’s natural enthusiasm and imagination, and measuring and assessment to meet time-bound whakapapa, their reo, their attitudes, their kaupapa understands learning as exploration. standards. There is no evidence that this will work is acknowledged. The research is clear on this. Teachers are often surprised by what children for primary children. Indeed, in countries that “National Standards focus narrowly on English learn and achieve. A Ministry of Education official have experience of similar regimes, any temporary written literacy—and go against the progress that is - stated last year that if we don’t know what we’re rise in student achievement has not been slowly being made for Maori students.” aiming to achieve, we won’t achieve it. I disagree. sustained, and many unintended negative effects Hita’s comments have been backed by other One of the joys of teaching is delight at what have been noted. principals around the country. Denise Torrey, children unexpectedly come up with, the questions principal at SomerfieldS chool in Christchurch, said they ask, and the effort they make to find out more. Elwyn Richardson’s Early World she had looked through the Ministry’s standards Of course, we have high expectations for When I started teaching in the 1970s, a key material for something that was relevant to the - children’s learning and make sure children influence was Elwyn Richardson, whose 1964 Maori students who make up 12 percent of her roll develop the necessary skills to meet these. But the classic In the Early World demonstrated the and could find nothing. important goals are broad enough to allow fresh marvellous variety of artwork, writing, maths and Keri Milne-Ihimaera from Moerewa School in kinds of knowledge and creative ideas to spring up science learning done by his children, growing Northland said that the standards contained a at different stages. out of explorations in the natural world around picture of a kumara and a kete, but those things - The purpose of assessment is to plan their rural Northland school. Elwyn believed seemed to be the only acknowledgement of a Maori - constructively for further learning, rather than to passionately that creative thinking and intellectual world view or Maori learning needs. Her school, with a high Ma-ori roll, is not implementing the standards.

label young children as successes or failures. growth are inextricably linked. vi lle Teachers who work every day with children know The families of children I taught at Petone “This is something we are prepared to die in a ditch - that the best preparation for later achievement Central were multicultural, working people. for. The standards relegate Maori knowledge to is for them to enjoy learning what interests them I’d been advised that the popular “language the sidelines—which is something that we have no right now, to develop an active love of learning and experience” method of teaching wouldn’t work choice but to absolutely refuse to support.” ogr aphs : ma r ty mel the confidence that they can succeed. Why should here, because those children “didn’t have enough t they suffer the pressure of high-stakes secondary experiences”. Of course, I didn’t believe this and 4 P h o

14 | education aotearoa summer 2011 | 15 national standards

Jim Neyland’s Spirit of Education individual needs and talents, where imagination Parents ‘sold a crock’ KEY points The government’s goal of NZEI describes overall public and “Education, at best, is enchanting.” This lovely and a sense of wonder are encouraged, where implementing National Standards parent confidence in the standards chapter heading is from Rediscovering the Spirit critical and creative thinking are valued, and • Confident in a clear and consistent manner as “mediocre”. Only about a third of of Education after ScientificM anagement by Jim where students in public schools achieve among children will by 2012 cannot be met, according those polled had confidence that the Neyland, a colleague in teacher education. the highest in the world. keep working and learning as to NZCER Chief Researcher Cathy standards would improve student Jim argued that education has a spirit, a large So far, Max’s parents are very happy with the orientation that gives it purpose and motivation, welcome offered by our small local school. They challenges get Wylie. “The standards work is achievement, a third did not, and a without reducing it to rules, codes, outcomes or emphasise the sense of belonging that Max is harder complex, and the standards have not third were neutral. methods. He warned that the spirit of education experiencing, and as parents they are keen to • But assessment been unpacked in a meaningful way.” Among people who say they know was being eroded into something mechanical and become involved with the school. is threatening This was just one of many insights something or a lot about National narrow. How can we make sure Max continues to shine to dominate shared at NZEI’s National Standards Standards, 42 percent agree they Thoughtful teachers and academics have with the light of enthusiasm throughout his classroom Forum held in November. More than are fundamentally flawed and programmes worked to meet demands for accountability primary school days? Can we be confident that one principal said that, “Parents have should be scrapped, while 46 without jeopardising the spirit of New Zealand Max’s teachers will be free and supported to give been ‘sold a crock’,”and NZEI past percent lack confidence that they primary schools. An example was the National him opportunities to develop his creativity and president and Auckland principal will raise student achievement. Education Monitoring Project, a successful skills for continuing learning, without having to Frances Nelson said the standards In contrast, a New Zealand initiative to satisfy the community that standards resort to time-wasting and inappropriate kinds were becoming a juggernaut that Herald poll in February found more of achievement in New Zealand schools are indeed of assessment? Will the sparkle in his eyes be sucked more and more resources than 80 percent of those surveyed Will Max’s teachers be free and being understood and reported. sustained? n from teaching and learning as the “liked” the standards. Subsequent Read Ruth’s unabridged article at problems unfolded. “Standards are online polls on the Herald and Stuff supported to develop his creativity What kind of moderation is worth www.educationaotearoa.org.nz becoming like NCEA for primary websites in November showed a and skills for continuing learning? schools, and it’s not appropriate.” doing at primary school? significant shift in public opinion Will the sparkle in his eyes be By the 1980s, I was developing courses in Emeritus Professor Terry Crooks away from the standards. said, “We are going down a very sustained? assessing for learning at Wellington College of The UMR poll also points to the dangerous track.” He added that Education, working with practising teachers. CHRISTCHURCH ongoing lack of public understanding data would be available by the end of set4 out to learn from the children about their own They discussed with other teachers in their about National Standards. Some TCHRISTCHURCHOP 10 Holiday Park 2011 that would help teachers to use experiences and work from there. own and nearby schools the ways they gathered 49 percent of parents of primary TOP 10 Holiday Park existing assessment tools, such as On fine mornings we’d gather mothers to help, and evaluated a range of information about Meadow Park or intermediate-aged children as TTle and PATs, to achieve greater and set off on foot to explore our local world, children’s learning, checked their professional Meadow Park claimed to know “not that much” or - consistency in assessing students the digger working round the corner, a kowhai judgements against well-researched New Zealand “hardly anything”, while only eight just flowering, a new building beginning. We’d standardised tests such as NZCER’s PATs, and • Self Contained Units against the standards—but the • Self Contained Units percent claim to know “a lot”. It take a bucket of plaster to Petone beach, mix it worked out how best to use what they learned in • Lodge Private Bunk Rooms with Communal information that was available now • Self• ContainedLodge Private UnitsBunk Rooms with Communal also reflects concern about the Communal Kitchen & Dining Facilities was not well-suited to that purpose. with seawater, and create plaques with shells, their planning. • LodgeCommunal Private Kitchen Bunk& RoomsDining Facilities with rushed implementation of National • Standard Units Others raised the point that seaweed and driftwood. We’d venture into the Now, in some schools, teachers are expected Communal• Standard KitchenUnits & Dining Facilities Standards, with 54 percent saying bush at Korokoro, find koura in the stream (and to spend more and more time on assessment, • Close• Closeto toCityCity’s ’Attractionss Attractions schools were risking their reputations • Standard• Spa Pool Units they have been hurriedly introduced put them back), swing on kiekie vines, listen to searching for a kind of precision and comparison • Spa Pool by saying they’d implemented the • Close• Heated• Heated to City’sIndoorIndoor PoolAttractionsPool and should be delayed. the sounds of the stream, the birds and the wind between children that I believe is invalid and standards, when this could not be • Spa• F•r eePoolFreeBBQsBBQs NZEI surveyed principals at the in the treetops. When we visited parents at work, unwarranted. done accurately. “Schools that were • Heated• Jumping• Jumping IndoorPillowPillow Pool end of one year of the standards they sometimes gave us off-cuts of metal, fabric Evaluating children’s learning, a useful form early adopters are now being held up • Playg• Playgroundround/ Games/ GamesRoomRoom ★★★★★ • Free BBQs Holiday★★★★★ park policy in schools and found that and plastic to take back to school to use for maths, of professional development, seems to have taken • Movie Room Holiday park by the Ministry as examples of how • Movie Room 58 percent had less confidence in science, art and dramatic activities. on a life of its own, threatening to dominate the • Jumping Pillow not to do it.” We specialise in Sports Groups & School Parties the standards, 18 percent said they All these experiences were building blocks for classroom programme, and adding nothing useful • Playground/GamesWe specialise in Spo Roomrts Groups & School Parties Public opinion shifts had more, and 12 percent were extending skills for listening and talking, then to reports to parents. This can take time away from • Movie RoomReservations: 0800 396 323 Reservations:Fax: (03)080 352 01272 396 323 Surveys and polls at the end of last undecided. Some 48 percent said reading and writing. Children were confident to keep the fun, enjoyment and ultimate satisfaction of email: stay@christchuFax: (03) 352r chtop10.co.nz1272 year show that the tide of opinion is they would not meet the Ministry’s working and learning as the challenges got harder. spontaneous learning and teaching. We specialiseemail:Website: stay@christchu in ww Sportsw.christchu Groupsrchtop10.co.nzrchtop10.co.nz & School Parties turning against the standards. deadline for sending in information I learned from other teachers, from the wonderful Website: www.christchurchtop10.co.nz A UMR poll commissioned by on student achievement. visiting art and science advisers, as well as from the Moving on with Max children. I was constantly surprised and delighted at Max’s parents have come to New Zealand with Reservations: 0800 398 323 Fax: (03) 352 1272 • Find out more about NZEI’s National Standards what our activities produced. Results were not always international IT expertise as software developers. email: [email protected] campaign at www.nationalstandards.org.nz/ predictable and would not have fitted neatly into They believe this is a good country to bring up their website: www.christchurchtop10.co.nz reporting for National Standards. young family, where children are valued for their

16 | education aotearoa summer 2011 | 17 sport slug xxxxxxxxxx

I learnt a lot Netball star Laura Langman tells Julie Ash how her early education shaped her for success

aiting patiently, a young, blonde-haired, for sport and showed her how hard work can lead blue-eyed Laura Langman loved nothing to success. W more than to hear the sound of the “Sport with him was pretty awesome. We rickety red school bus roaring down her road. thought he was the bee’s knees really. He got into Growing up in Te Pahu, south-west of Hamilton, cross-country and took us for practice runs. We Laura’s day, like many other country kids, started had a really active class, which was great.” bright and early waiting for the school bus. Laura says one of the benefits of attending “I caught it just outside the driveway,” she says. a small country school was that it incorporated “I was on the south run. It was only a 15-minute country life. bus ride, if that,” she remembers proudly. “We had things like calf clubs which the city Laura, a member of the Silver Ferns primary schools didn’t have,” she says. netball team, started her education at Te Pahu “I learnt a lot in terms of good work ethic and Kindergarten. She then moved on to Te Pahu responsibility.” School, a six-classroom full primary. These are qualities Laura has taken with her Until Laura, the school’s most famous pupil into her netball career. Playing her first game for was former Prime Minister Helen Clark. New Zealand against England at the age of 19, she “It was a very small rural school,” Laura says. went on to captain New Zealand to victory in the “We didn’t have the numbers, so if you were in World Youth Championships. the soccer team you were definitely a starter for Having now notched up 63 tests for New Zealand, the rugby team, and if you were in those two teams Laura has been part of two Commonwealth Games and you were a girl, you were definitely going to be gold medal-winning sides. She also won a silver Above: One particular in the netball team.” medal in the 2007 World Championships and is an teacher encouraged Laura, who was selected for the New Zealand integral member of the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic Laura’s love of sport under-21 netball side at 16 and made the Silver side which plays in the ANZ Championship. and showed her how Ferns squad a year later, said she has fond “My parents were really sporty,” she says when hard work can lead to memories of her time at Te Pahu School. asked about her talent. success “We did have pretty small numbers but it was a “We would do after-school tennis and other pretty good school. We had a good playground, by activities. We had a go at everything.” memory,” she laughs. Laura remained at Te Pahu School until the end The 24-year-old says she had a good of Year 7, then transferred to Hamilton’s Berkley relationship with all her teachers and is grateful Normal Middle School for Year 8 before heading for the time, effort and energy they put into her. off to Hillcrest High School. The reason she moved She says many of the basic skills she learnt at to Berkley Normal should come as no surprise. primary school, like reading, writing and maths, “I moved there because the number of sports have served her well in her career as a professional you could play there was amazing,” she laughs. athlete. “I wasn’t an A-plus student, I was just “But also mum and dad just thought I could your average student,” she says. “But I really really benefit from it. It was another really fond enjoyed school.” year, my year at Berkley. She says one teacher in particular stood out “I really did enjoy all my years at school,” she “My parents were really sporty—we would do after-school o g r aph s: m icha el b ad le y

for her—Mr Brown. An avid sportsman himself, says. “I think students should make the most of it t

Laura says Mr Brown really encouraged her love while they can.” n P h o tennis and other activities. We had a go at everything”

18 | education aotearoa summer 2011 | 19 letter from tokelau

About VSA VSA (Volunteer Service Abroad) is a home- grown Kiwi volunteering organisation and has placed more than 3000 skilled New Zealanders on volunteer assignments overseas since 1962. • VSA is New Zealand’s largest and most experienced overseas volunteer-sending agency. • It works with people in the Pacific, Asia and Africa, adding the skills and energy of New Zealanders to strengthen area. Then off to the school boat at 7.15. We leave secondary Year 10 social science class. communities striving for Change your world around 7.30 and get to school at 8. Once form class Also, I have just returned from Atafu, a nearby change. is out of the way, it’s straight into teaching five atoll, after participating in the annual sports youth • All VSA’s assignments are When Rotorua teacher Vanessa rom the moment we stood on Fakaofo atoll periods at the high school, finishing at 2.20 (the tournament. As captain, there was a lot of pressure locally identified, locally Te Huia and husband Matangaro after a 24-hour boat ride on the MV Tokelau, primary school finishes at 1.20).T he sun is at its not only to do well but to bring back the cup, relevant, and locally Vili signed up with VSA to go to F we knew this was going to be an experience hottest as we all clamber back onto the school boat which had been held by Atafu for a very long time. delivered. of a lifetime. The ocean and lagoon surrounding to go home. Luckily, we were successful. Tokelau, they had no idea just how • VSA is an independent Fakaofo has all shades of blue, and the sky and air Whilst I am at work, my husband is working The village lifestyle, which is very traditional charity and is non- incredible the experience would be are free of pollution. in the local aumaga, which comprises three and religious, epitomises “love thy neighbour”, governmental, non- The small size of the atoll was overwhelming at groups of men assigned different roles in the and this is apparent in the inati system that caters religious and non- first, and the fact that my husband and I walked community. One day he could be out fishing— for all—the men of the village go fishing in the sea political. the entire island in five minutes added to the which he doesn’t mind at all—or he could be or lagoon and will haul in a big catch and divide • VSA recruits ordinary feeling of isolation. A population of approximately helping unload the boats, or working on the this evenly throughout the village. New Zealanders to 400 people allows you to really get to know your maintenance of buildings, which is very lucky as If you need anything, all you need to do is pop achieve exceptional neighbours! Even after being fully briefed by VSA he is a builder by trade. your head out of the window and ask. This is an work with our partner on expectations and procedures on our country No two days are ever the same here, with amazing culture and you truly value what really organisations. assignment, it is not until you arrive that you can village meetings and celebrations occurring is important: not what you wear, what you drive • VSA is currently start to prepare for the next few years. regularly and the weather dictating whether the or how much money you have in the bank. The recruiting experienced The biggest learning that has taken place so far school boat can travel at all. One of the most imprint you leave with others outlasts all material teachers to work as in- is my personal perspective on education and life in refreshing things here is that surprises are always objects. Cliché, I know. service teacher trainers general. Coming from a class of 34 students in an around the corner and you have to go with the Sunday provides an opportunity for rest. This for Tokelau. For more amazing digital classroom at Rotorua Intermediate flow. This is a complete 360 degree turn from due is not an understatement. After making Sunday information, go to to a classroom of 10 students with a blackboard dates, observations, reporting and the daily grind lunch, where you all share meals with close friends www.vsa.org.nz. could be seen as challenging for some. back in New Zealand. and family, and in return they bring you what they However, I chose to look at this as an exciting One of the greatest aspects of our profession have cooked, all that is left for the day is church time to create learning opportunities that reach is being able to take our degree and experience and rest. That means no housework, no TV and beyond the classroom, with a meaningful context around the world. Through VSA, I am making a no walking around while the church service is on. for the students as well as myself. So whether difference on a small atoll in the South Pacific. Consequently, we really enjoy our Sundays. the classroom is lush with resources or bare, the My role as a primary teacher trainer has morphed Making adjustments to a new country comes universal component is students—and they will go into many different responsibilities within the with its own challenges: making new friends, Above: Vanessa as far as you take them. community, from teaching the macarena at a learning the language, understanding village life,

with Tialeniu School o g r aph s: VS A

A usual school day will start at 6am as the village t social gathering in the community hall, to having religious expectations and of course new foods—

principal Livi Mativa people are up cleaning and sweeping around their P h o young enterprise business studies with the however this is half of the adventure. n

20 | education aotearoa summer 2011 | 21 early childhood

The most important education The human brain isn’t ready to be born until its owner is three years old. Diana Clement looks at why educators are fighting to reverse huge cuts to early childhood education

t’s ironic that New Zealand pays its most transcription from the environment to be activated. important teachers—those working with the Given that the brain is most capable of i under-threes—the least, says Nathan Mikaere- change and development during the years Wallis, a lecturer at Canterbury University. In between 0-3, the more input children have at Canada, it’s the exact reverse. this age, the higher the probability that they will One of Mikaere-Wallis’ key areas of interest be successful later in life and develop into law- is tying the knot between brain development and abiding, tax-paying adults. education. Yet in New Zealand, Mikaere-Wallis says the Understanding the brain, he argues, leads focus with babies in ECE is still on hygiene and to new insights into learning. The brain is most changing nappies, with a belief that the real absorbent up to three years of age, and money learning comes later. “We tend to think that targeted at the ECE sector has greater long-term secondary school is more important,” he says. benefit than any other sector of education. Mikaere-Wallis cites Nobel Prize-winner Dr “No education is as important as the first three James Heckman of the University of Chicago, who years,” Mikaere-Wallis told Education Aotearoa. concluded that for every dollar spent on the 0-3 The body of international research is unequivocal age group, $17 is saved on adolescent services. on the subject: • Compared to other animals’ brains and humans’ other organs, our brains aren’t ready No education is “Here we are still focussing on the ambulance of early childhood centre by the time they are one to be born until we are three years old. at the bottom of the cliff… and building more year old, more needs to be spent there as well. The scan on the as important as “The human brain is not just formed by boot camps, even though they are phenomenally The Budget cuts mean that more centres will right is from a genetic material. It is formed partly by genetic the first three unsuccessful.” use untrained staff in their baby sections, where three-year-old who material but also the environment of the years, yet you end Mikaere-Wallis, who started his career as an trained staff members are needed more. suffered severe early years.” For the first three years, the early childhood and primary teacher, believes last “What the centres tend to do is put untrained sensory neglect up with babies in human brain gathers data on the environ- year’s Budget cuts for early childhood education staff with the young babies. They think that the from birth—the the most crucial ment, which goes directly into forming the were a move in the wrong direction. young babies need cuddling and nappies changed. brain is significantly adult brain. stage of brain “We already spend the least on early childhood You end up with [babies] in the most crucial stage of smaller than • The brain is only 15 percent connected when we development [education], and now the new Budget takes even brain development with the least-educated carers. average, and

are born, but 85 percent connected by age four. rv i ll ca more money from early childhood. This flies in the It is very ironic that this most important area [the has abnormal c with the least- • An adult brain weighs 1.4kg. At birth, a human y m face of what the research shows us.” centres] will have the most untrained staff.” development of the educated carers brain weighs 300g, but has grown to 1.2kg He believes money should be prioritised for cortical, limbic and by the age of three years old. parental intervention, with policies such as Minister Tolley midbrain structures. o g r aph s: em i l

• Seventy percent of human genes are “transcription t increased parental leave. But considering that In New Zealand, early childhood education is now

genes”, which are reliant on pickup of a P h o more than 50 percent of children are in some form on a collision course between politics and science. 4

22 | education aotearoa summer 2011 | 23 InSurAncE STorIES early childhood

“Insurance is a precautionary mainly by employing qualified teachers, and paying them more thing – because you never know Real little than the minimum wage. what’s around the corner.” people matter “And there was a deliberate policy to spend more money to make early education more affordable for parents—shifting Sue and her family moved back to Alexandra for a quieter, The Lord of the Rings’ fictional little people the costs away from families with the 20 hours free for three- more enjoyable lifestyle. received almost instant government support and four-year-olds.” When the couple bought a photo-processing business, when their futures were threatened. Yet the Even though it wasn’t the main intention, enrolments did go they needed to have some commercial insurance, so their government is refusing to show the same up, says Davies. And there have been increases in the number adviser paid a visit. commitment to real little people. of hours children are enrolled for, with the average hours of Nationwide, thousands of parents and attendance increasing by 17.5 percent from 2005 to 2009. “At the same time I took out a Sovereign Living Assurance teachers have hit the streets protesting for the policy, which covers things like cancer. The premiums were reinstatement of ECE budgets. Win, win, win really quite small for the amount of cover we were getting – and it’s been one of the best decisions we’ve ever made,” NZEI has put together a range of resources Economist Suzanne Snively, a former partner at says Sue. for communities to support its campaign— PriceWaterhouse Coopers, argues that employing qualified details of which can be found here: tinyurl. ECE teachers generates higher household incomes, which in A month after a visit to the ‘mammogram bus’ for a check- com/2claxqf. turn results in increased consumption, economic growth and up, Sue received a call from the Dunedin Hospital. Already more than 2700 people have joined increased tax revenue. “On the education side of the benefits “They wanted me to do more tests, just to double-check the campaign’s Facebook group. equation, there are likely to be different sets of benefits.” a few things. So I drove down for the tests and that same The government has followed the ECE Snively says by creating consistent, nurturing, safe day they confirmed I had breast cancer, which was totally cuts by setting up an ECE taskforce, which environments for young families and their children, there unexpected.” NZEI fears will result in further reductions will be a quantum leap in their productivity both as students to the quality and funding of centres and She had two operations to remove the cancer, and also and in later life. underwent chemotherapy, and once that was completed, kindergartens. She adds that the outcome of spending more money on ECE a course of radiotherapy. Find out more at www.ecetogether.org.nz. is “win, win, win”: “I’ve had to take a step back and reassess my life,” • win for the child and its family says Sue. • win for society ‘The brain is without doubt our most fascinating organ. Parents, educators, and society as • win for the taxpayer because the child will be: “You never know what’s around the corner and you often - more productive, learning more think nothing untoward is going to happen to you. And a whole have a tremendous power to shape the wrinkly universe inside each child’s head, that’s the thing about insurance: it’s a precautionary thing and, with it, the kind of person he or she will turn out to be. We owe it to our children to - healthier, costing less Another issue to be considered, Snively told delegates at the – you hope you never need it.” help them grow the best brains possible’ Economics of ECE Forum in November, is the ballooning costs “My Living Assurance cover means —Lise Eliot, What is Going On in There? at the other end of a neglected childhood. I can choose not to work − we have “I know this personally because I informally fostered a back-up there if we need it. And that’s child from a neglectful environment when he was 17. By that helping with my recovery stage, it took at least 10 different government agencies to keep immensely. 4 Whilst Education Minister Anne Tolley refuses Lies, damned lies, and statistics him on the straight and narrow—and that was even with my “I’m now making plans for the to budge, parents and early childhood educators The government has been accused of using husband and I spending hours each day with him.” n future and I’m definitely going around the country are continuing to rally dubious statistics to back its argument. to do some of those things I against the 2010 Budget cuts. For example, says Jenny Davies, executive See a PowerPoint by Suzanne on ECE at haven’t got round to yet.” More than 2000 centres nationwide will be officer at NZEI Te Riu Roa, Tolley justified May’s www.educationaotearoa.org.nz affected by the cuts, which come into effect in Budget cuts with statistics that suggested there To find out how Living Assurance February. Centres that employ between 80 percent had been a three-fold spending increase on ECE, can benefit you, speak to an and 100 percent of qualified teachers will be resulting in a one percent increase in participation. KEY points EBS representative today on hardest-hit, with many set to cut the numbers of “The actual increase is 16 percent in 0800 268 3763. trained staff to make ends meet or increase fees. participation, and much of that has come in • Brain development in humans is determined by the As EA went to press, a survey by the Labour party the younger age groups where there are higher child’s early environment found 89 percent of the services losing funding will ratios, and where funding is therefore more • Funding cuts to ECE are leading to increased fees for have to increase fees, and 48.8 percent of those expensive,” says Davies, citing Ministry of parents and job losses for qualified educators centres will reduce qualified staffing levels. (Read Education figures. • Economists say that quality ECE is one of the best more on the statistics by the Salvation Army’s Alan “The main idea of the extra spending, however, investments a country can make Johnson at www.educationaotearoa.org.nz.) was not to lift participation, but to lift quality—

24 | education aotearoa summer 2011 | 25 arts

where they performed for four intermediates, the Sheila Wynn College Shakespeare Competition and the Stage Challenge J-Rock event. “Having performance goals is a major factor in getting the best out of the students. Developing their abilities through the drama elements of role, focus, tension, action, time and space provides us with a powerful form to work in. Various drama conventions assist us in improvising and actively exploring a text and its meanings.”

The Spider and the Fly The group’s Shakespeare work was an example of how the trust generated within the group can provide a wonderful springboard for improvisation and spontaneity. “They learn their lines, using a lot of shared roles. We do not attempt to decipher the text; instead we enjoy the sounds of the words and explore the feel of a passage. That’s when we physicalise and bring to life the characters. As we rehearse the movements, the lines begin to take The show must go on on a new life for us and soon we are asking for meaning and responding to the narrative. Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything “Because the students know we have – said Plato sometime around 400BC. Meanwhile, back in New Zealand, schools are fighting to hold performance as a goal, they naturally use on to arts programmes as the zeitgeist lauds maths and literacy over “non-essentials” appropriate technique and begin to work with greater sophistication.” Above: Inspirational cratch a principal or teacher of a certain but I believe that the music also stimulates a deeper Another project was working with the old drama teacher Mark Jensen with students age and you’ll find a guitar player (or a consciousness that makes us who we are.” poem, The Spider and the Fly. “We decided Resources from Northcross keyboard tinkler or a ukelule strummer). that the poem was a metaphor for something • Visit the research pages of the Music Council S Intermediate At one time, teachers’ colleges encouraged their Boosts learning else and decided to use a haunting Puccini of Australia’s site, www.musicplayforlife.org, students to be creative and well-rounded, to take A wealth of research shows how music and the piece, Humming Bird Chorus, to enhance the for a great download on the benefits of music an interest in life and explore its possibilities—to arts can boost learning. US researcher Dr Martin performance. It was a risk, but it worked.” in schools. be role models for their students in stretching Gardiner, for example, found that children aged Mark believes that taking risks is vital to • Music Education New Zealand, in conjunction boundaries. In short, you were meant to learn to five to seven who had been lagging behind at the creative process. Placing students in an with TRCC, is holding a conference in play an instrument. school had caught up with their peers in reading environment and in situations where there will be Auckland in April 2011, Cultural Chords, Today, the reality is one-year pressure-cooker and were ahead in maths after seven months of a risk is a good thing. which is “for teachers, by teachers” and will training courses, student loans and a Ministry of music lessons. The children’s classroom attitudes “They need to fire each other up and fuel each include a focus on engaging with the New Education that no longer employs music advisors and behaviour improved, too. other. It can’t happen sitting at a desk. These Zealand Curriculum (www.menza.org.nz). or funds professional development in the arts. At Northcross, drama is seen as a method for students want to be inspired, to be ambitious and • Copies of a Ministry of Education resource Yet teachers know that the arts work for learning across the curriculum. Mark’s performing attain goals. Energised relationships are engaging of Hirini Melbourne songs are available KEY points learning—and music can still be heard in schools arts extension group, Stuff ‘n Nonsense, uses and facilitate personal growth; it makes sense that to borrow from Sounz (the Centre for all around the country. In Auckland, Northcross drama to explore different perspectives and ideas these are the people you will trust in rehearsal and New Zealand Music)—www.sounz.org.nz/ • Arts education Intermediate teacher Mark Jensen is well-known through dramatic forms and devices. performance as well as in life. The students move on resources/show/260. boosts student as an inspirational drama teacher. He works intensively with his group of 35 to college with a desire to have fun and learn with • Sounz also has downloadable song sheets learning “Music is a key component. Music boosts a students throughout term one. They meet before like-minded people who also energise and inspire.” and MP3s of backing tracks for teachers • Yet it has performance, of course—and it develops the kids’ school, lunchtimes, after school and during their Mark has taught at intermediate schools for of young children to work with The Very suffered motor skills, and their language skills and memory holidays. Last year’s Stuff ‘n Nonsense group 24 years—the last 10 as a drama specialist. He is Important Godwit by Jenny and Laughton numerous skills. Music is a primal thing that reaches inside performed for students at their own and another a recipient of a MultiServe National Education Patrick—www.sounz.org.nz/resources/ funding cuts us and plays with our emotions. As they rehearse local intermediate, at an evening show for previous Award for services to the arts. n show/718. and perform, there are obviously aesthetic qualities, members of the group, on a road trip to the Waikato Jane Blaikie

26 | education aotearoa summer 2011 | 27 support staff

Where to for support staff?

Something chools are employing more support staff school has a business manager, whose job is to doesn’t add up and expecting more from them. The oversee all support staff. S rhetoric is all about the valuable team role “One of the keys is having those relationships in our schools these staff play in delivering quality education. built up with core staff,” Jenny says. “It’s also when it comes But on the job, it can be hard to feel valued. about valuing staff—and I think that often doesn’t to support staff. Many support staff are employed only on a come through in all schools,” she says. Penny Harding casual, term-time basis—and only if there’s Weekly professional development sessions are investigates enough money in the kitty. The pay is low and open to everyone and Jenny says this benefits the there is no consistency in training or professional individual and also supports the school’s strategic development, and few job descriptions. goals. More than 21,000 support staff work in And if the teacher aides who work in the our state and integrated schools—mainly school’s two special needs units are away from administrative staff and teacher aides—and their school, then relief staff are brought in. numbers grew by 26.5 percent between 1999 and Waimarie, one of the school’s learning support 2009. In 2009, they cost $400 million. units, teaches 10 students with very high needs. ‘Support staff are key—I may have trained to deliver those programmes, learning Top left: New Plymouth But unlike teachers, their wages are not Five students are secondary school-age and five the best teaching programmes in may not occur.” Girls High principal centrally-funded and their employment is under are adult students; most are in wheelchairs. Noeline Vickers, a teacher aide at Waimarie for Jenny Ellis. Top right: the control of schools. That’s good news if the Co-ordinator and teacher Sandra Morris works place, but if the support staff have three years, came to the unit after working with a Thomas Prentice with school favours a team approach and values the with a team of six staff—one fulltime assistant not been empowered and trained boy at a kindergarten. She’s done three external teacher assistant input of a variety of people—like New Plymouth employed at grade C and five permanent part- to deliver those programmes, training courses, covering autism, student safety Monique Jansonius. Above: Monique Hay Girls High School. time staff. There are no casual staff and no one is learning may not occur’ and vision. “But it’s not an outside qualification. employed on an A grade. I would like to do some sort of teacher-aide with teacher aide Noeline Vickers Core staff qualification.” At New Plymouth Girls High, support staff are Training training in assessment systems, communication Waimarie teacher assistant Monique Jansonius integrated into a multidisciplinary team. Principal Sandra, who has been teaching at Waimarie for and teaching strategies. says the courses available for teacher aides are Jenny Ellis favours an inclusive approach. One 15 years, says teaching in a learning support unit Sandra says she initially questioned whether variable, ranging from an extramural course at of the first things she did after being appointed is complex and demanding work that requires she was using those hours to the best advantage. Massey University to shorter courses by other in 2005 was to knock a hole in the wall from her specialised skills and knowledge. “Only one of “After doing it, I am convinced it’s a very wise education providers. “So where is the standard?” office to the corridor. When her door is open, then the 10 students in here has any language.” Much investment. she is available to talk. Previously the only route to of the curriculum is based on Te Wha-riki, the “Staff can share what is happening in their Passionate a me dia the principal’s office was through the AP ’s office. early childhood curriculum, and the learning v lessons, pool ideas and brainstorm teaching That is a view echoed by Gaye Parlane, acting New Plymouth Girls High has 1250 students programme is sensory-based, using light, sound, strategies. These times have definitely been of executive officer at Papanui High School in wy er, La (140 boarders) and 160 staff. Ninety of the staff music and movement. great benefit to our students. Christchurch. are teachers and 70 work in support roles. They At Waimarie, one hour every fortnight is “It is support staff who are the key to a “There is no formal qualification. We need include administration staff, teacher aides, a full- devoted to professional development for the successfully running unit,” she says. “I may have something standardised throughout New Zealand o g r aph s: Ma k D

time IT network role, security guard, a science teacher aides—on issues directly related to t the best teaching programmes in place, but if that makes us more professional. I would like to

technician, nurse and boarding hostel staff. The the students they are working with. It includes P h o the support staff have not been empowered and see that for office staff as well.” 4

28 | education aotearoa summer 2011 | 29 support staff Curriculum resources

Left: Tiana Taylor, 32, comes to the unit for two to promote safe cycling days a week so she can use the “dark room”. It’s a place of twinkling, coloured lights and streamers and reflecting foil paper. Tiana is on an individual programme to help her with her vision. “She loves turning on lights and hairdryers and music,” says With Bike Wise Month scheduled Why not set up a Bike Wise event at your school this February? teacher assistant Monique Jansonius for February and a raft of fun cycling events on over the summer To support your cycling event there’s some great Bike Wise goodies up for grabs. Stocks are period there’s no better time to limited so get in quick! Go online to register your school event now! Review sees get kids cycling. www.bikewisechallenge.co.nz/events/register-event. Kids love bikes. Cycling’s such a fun activity, Support your students to learn about bike equipment and safety. The cyclist road code can little change so it takes little encouragement to get kids be downloaded at www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/roadcode. Despite the release in October 2010 of the out there riding safely – whatever their ages. Why not find a local cycle skills trainer to come in and run a session for students? Government’s four-year plan for special You can download and use resources Your local Police Education Officer is a great contact to help develop a safe cycling education, it is not clear how much support staff from the NZ Transport Agency’s education programme in your school www.police.govt.nz/school-road-safety-education. Also many will see in the way of system changes. website to promote safe cycling in Health territorial authorities offer cycle safety support, check what’s on offer with your local Council. Brian Coffey, strategic policy manager of and Physical Education as well Mathematics The new Bike Wise website - www.bikewise.co.nz - is a one-stop shop for all your cycling special education at the Ministry of Education, and English www.education.nzta. needs. The website has details about upcoming events being held around the country so says central funding for teacher aides has been govt.nz/curriculum/cycle-safety. These you can see what’s happening in your community. proposed from time to time but that would be resources include examples of student-led There’s also a host of resources for teachers and students available on NZTA’s education 4 Gaye started her 21-year support staff career difficult because of the variability of hours. learning experiences and ICT resources. portal: www.education.nzta.govt.nz. The resources promote safe and active travel when as a “tea lady” at Mairehau High School in “Doing that centrally would be a nightmare; it walking, cycling or being around trains. Happy cycling Christchurch. “When I had young children, that would add a lot to the costs.” suited me.” From there she went to work in the He understands the desire for greater school office and finally became bursar before professional recognition and agrees that there is being offered a job as office manager at Papanui not a lot of training on offer outside the schools. in 1996. She is now responsible for the school’s But he says professional development is the finance, property and payroll. most powerful learning “within the school and An NZEI rep, Gaye has represented support within the team”. staff at national level for the past two years. “I am Brian says where the job of teacher aide very passionate about the work that support staff works well is where they work as part of a do. They used to be mother helpers and now they team, led by the teacher, and their role is well are professional people in their own right.” understood. He says, “The career path is not But she says a teacher aide position is often through the teacher aide path. My advice for the 27.5 hours a week—“class hours”—and term-time teacher aide is to really look at teacher training. only. “The top range for a teacher aide is $22 an A good teacher aide going into a teaching hour and that is for a C grade, and there aren’t career—that is a fantastic background and many of them. Most of our teacher aides range context to take into teaching.” from $14 to $18.” KEY points

• Support staff in Losing staff time for support staff because that is when the secondary schools Gaye says schools lose people because of the poor budgets are set for the following year. Gaye says feel particularly pay. “There are some that go because they know if there is a deficit in the operational budget, then undervalued that their son, who is working at McDonalds, is schools will try to make savings on support staff. • Roles in special earning more than them.” Gaye knows one teacher “One of the things I would like to achieve while education units can aide who works another job at the weekends to I am working for support staff is to try and get out be challenging earn enough to keep doing the job she loves. “She of that operational funding.” • Support staff want runs the classroom where children have been NZEI has been working with the Ministry of more training and withdrawn from class—she works two jobs so she Education on a Support Staff Workforce Strategy, see better recognition can stay in the job.” page 8. Bargaining for a new collective agreement and pay While other people look forward to the school will also begin this term. Follow developments on summer holidays, the end of the year is a tough www.fairdeal.org.nz—and get involved! n

Get on your bike and join us! NTA0680 30 | education aotearoa summer 2011 | 31

0680 NTA Bikewise Teacher_Advertorial_FP_2as 1 22/12/10 3:48 PM Young people are technology writing more Last year’s Stanford Study of Writing analysed 14,672 student writing examples from 2001 to 2006. This included everything from class assignments, formal essays and journals to emails, blog posts and chat sessions. The study found that young people today write far more than any other generation. This is because so much socialising takes place online, and it almost always involves text. Thirty eight percent of student writing took place out of the classroom. www.ssw.stanford.edu/

Students at Manaia tools available to communicate with the world,” View School says Marilyn. “It is all of these things: visual Digital media opens the are effective language, movement, interpretation—everything communicators that creates a possibility of us communicating with other people. It’s not just reading a book, writing a door to literacy letter or talking on the phone.” Reading and writing are at the heart of the curriculum. But what does it mean to be literate in “It’s no longer sufficient to be able to read and write print texts,” agrees Sue McDowall, Senior a world that includes YouTube and Facebook? Sarah Jones talks to some educators who are Researcher at NZCER. one of many forms of language, and reading and changing the way they teach literacy She points out that many of the texts young writing them as two of the many different ways of people are using are multimodal—containing using language.” Televising their talents Our students know they have something worth combinations of graphics, animation, video, audio Three years ago, Manaia View School went contributing.” and text. Reading, creating and using these texts Switching back on looking for ways to lift the literacy achievement The catalyst for this change is Pu-keko Echo: require different skills. “It’s particularly important Marion Lumley, a Year 7 and 8 teacher at Otaki of their students. The biggest challenge facing the a children’s programme that screens daily on how different modes work together—how sound College, is another educator testing the boundaries Whangarei school was deficit theorising. “Both the Whangarei’s regional television station, Channel and image support text, for example,” she says. of literacy. Last year, her students embarked on an professional and local community thought this is North. The students script, film and produce a Being literate also goes beyond mastery of ambitious project to explore leadership through as good as our children can be. Our children and programme showcasing their learning in te reo standard English. Students may be skilled in the story of Sir Ernest Shackleton. Students - -

whanau had taken that on, and we wanted to turn Maori, science, cooking, dance and so on. They are o g r aph s: m anaia v i e w s ch ool other languages and in less formal ways of using worked in groups to retell part of the story by t it around,” says Marilyn Small, Acting Principal. developing new literacy knowledge and practices those languages. Young people need to be able to making a movie using acting, animation or Today, Manaia View’s students are effective in a professional, multimedia environment. contribute and participate in a range of diverse claymation. communicators who believe they have something communities both inside and outside the school. “I had a group of boys who were pretty switched valuable to share with their peers, wha-nau and Redefining literacy This doesn’t mean we don’t teach standard off from learning. The hook was using animation community. “The change has been huge. Our Living and learning in the 21st century means English or work with print texts, emphasises Sue. and plasticine!” says Marion. She says the students children can stand up in assembly and share a taking a much broader view of literacy. “Being “Reading and writing print texts are still very had to know the story thoroughly, identify the

poem. We are winning more kapa haka awards. literate is about being able to use the total set of o n : ch r i s sl an e, ph t r ati i llus important. It’s more a case of framing print as main points and prepare their ideas before they 4

32 | education aotearoa summer 2011 | 33 technology the professionals

could4 even attempt to make the movie. “They The study increased ability to read and write print texts. had to persist to get there—and persisting is not confirmed that Rather than neglecting print literacy, working Science education priorities New ways with stats something that they normally do well.” across a range of modes may in fact support Snip-it • Suppport staff member Ian de Stigter, a • Statisticians at Auckland University She observed positive changes in the students’ working with reading and writing in print. science technician at Mt Albert Grammar have developed new methods for attitude towards their work and increased levels ICTs re-engaged “This is because e-learning contexts can Te reo resources for English- School, has written a paper that looks at teaching critical aspects of statistics. of engagement. The writing they did at the end of support the development of meta-knowledge,” medium schools children, recent publications on science education, The research paper can be downloaded the unit was in much more depth and to a higher says Sue. • The Ministry of Education has launched particularly including the work of the Prime Minister’s from www.rss.org.uk/pdf/Wild_Oct_ standard than they’d done previously. “We think that working with multimodal texts fabulous new resources to support the Science Advisory Committee. He urges 2010.pdf with accompanying “Because his group’s production was looking those with provides opportunities to compare meaning- teaching of te reo Ma-ori in English- more recognition for the fact that science animations and software at www. so good, the least literate of my students wanted to a history of making processes in many different modes and medium schools. They include large- is a practice-based discipline. Read it at censusatschool.org.nz/2009/informal- read the voiceover. He wanted to be part of it, and so helps students build an understanding of format books, readers, CDs, teacher notes under- www.educationaotearoa.org.nz. inference/WPRH/. he got a lot of kudos from the other students for achievement the principles of meaning-making in a way that is and more. Check out tereomaori.tki.org. doing it.” not possible when focussing on only one mode,” nz/. And don’t forget, Resource Teachers How do you use National science week with literacy in she explains. of Ma-ori will also support schools with your voice? • The inaugural National Primary Co-constructing learning general. One When technologies are new, the systems of Ma-ori language programmes: www. • A large study is being conducted by Science Week will be held from 2-7 May Marion, Marilyn and Sue were part of a research meaning-making are more visible. It’s as if the nartam-takawaengamataurangamaori. reason is that Speech Science, University of Auckland, 2011 by the New Zealand Association project in 2009 led by CORE Education and underlying principles or systems of language are wikispaces.com students co- to find out how New Zealand teachers use of Science Educators and the Royal NZCER. Researchers worked with 10 teachers on amplified. Students can apply these principles to their voices at work. All NZEI primary Society of New Zealand. More at classroom literacy projects using ICT. constructed all texts. teacher members are invited to complete www.royalsociety.org.nz. The study confirmed that working with ICTs their learning “Learning the conventions of existing text a short online questionnaire about their re-engaged children, particularly those with types has its place, but students also need a meta- voice. Participation is greatly appreciated— Check out a history of underachievement with literacy knowledge which they can apply to new text forms, as many teachers as possible are needed • www.superclubsplus.co.nz—a new in general. One reason is that students co- languages and technologies that will emerge in for the study results to be meaningful social networking site for under 13s, constructed their learning. future,” she adds. for New Zealand teachers. Complete the good safety and extras. “Students worked from their strengths. They online survey at www.surveymonkey. • www.spectronics.co.nz/conference worked in teams where they had different roles, Spreading the word KEY points com/s/voiceuse1-nzteacher. For —a 2012 conference on learning which meant they worked across modes. If you’re You’ll find little reference to this broader notion further information contact Sylvia Leao, technologies for students with working on a film, as in the case of Marion’s of literacy in the materials and handbooks used • Schools are 0210693389, [email protected]. learning difficulties. students, the scriptwriter had to work with the using digital by teachers. The National Standards, for example, sound engineer. You have to talk about what the media in exciting focus on reading and writing in print. sound effects will do because they have to work new ways “Colleges are expected to focus on the with the script,” says Sue. • National traditional literacies,” says Marilyn. “We’ve The students stepped off from their strengths Standards don’t had students leave our school inspired by their and learnt from each other, in many instances recognise the learning and get to college to find that they have to becoming better at all the roles, as well as at new reality present their work as posters and essays.” Manaia NZ Glass Environmental Fund their own. Students in the study also showed an View is now working with local colleges to set up their own version of Pu-keko Echo. In an education system aiming to prepare our Attention Teachers children for the 21st century, it’s perplexing that the new literacies aren’t higher on the Ministry of Expressions of interest to make application for a grant from the NZ Glass Environmental Fund Links Education’s agenda. We need more evidence from • e-Fellows report www.educationcounts.govt.nz/publications/ict/77144 the classroom to build our understanding of what are invited. Up to $25,000 will be available in total for suitable environmental projects. • Marion’s project e-fellow-musings-of-marion.wikispaces.com/ students are learning in digital environments, as For application forms and guidelines see our website www.recycleglass.co.nz or contact: • Shackleton movies web.me.com/gondwana/http___web.me.com_gondwana_ well as more time for teachers to share their ideas Site_Podcast_/Movies/Movies.html and experiences. NZ Glass Environmental Fund PO Box 12-345 Penrose, Auckland 1642 • Marilyn’s project dpnews.wikispaces.com/ Are there any disadvantages to this more complex view of literacy? “I’ve turned 60 this Phone: 09-976 7127 Fax: 09-976 7119 • Pukeko Echo clips pukekoecho.wikispaces.com/Stuff+to+Watch year,” says Marilyn, “and it’s the best thing that’s Sue McDowall, Literacy teaching and learning for the 21st century: Bridging ever happened in the years I’ve been teaching. The Deadline for expression of interest is 31 March 2011. Sponsored by O-I New Zealand. the theory to practice gap, set no.2, 2010, NZCER Press. new literacies reinforce, extend and improve our ability to communicate with each other.” n

0690-Education Aotearoa 1 14/12/10 3:29 PM 34 | education aotearoa summer 2011 | 35 Free student Join or ‘switch’ classroom membership! online Student teachers can join NZEI You can now join NZEI online by for free. Hardworking student visiting www.nzei.org.nz, and following and beginning teacher members the links from the home page. took the debate to NZEI’s Annual top tips for Meeting in Rotorua and won You can also ‘switch’ your fees so they the vote on free membership! are paid by direct debit, rather than From the beginning of next year, through the Ministry of Education’s students in ECE and primary will payroll system. NZEI’s Operation new teachers get all the benefits of joining NZEI at no cost. Switch is about reducing dependency 12 Membership is free while you are studying. Once you start earning a Great advice on how to survive the first two years, from second and third year teachers wage in a school or centre, you have to rejoin NZEI as a fee-paying on the Ministry. It also means all of member. This also applies to ECE students working in a centre and your fee goes to NZEI, as 2.5 percent studying part time. If you’re earning a wage working in education, of your sub is taken as commission Enjoy your class. Be friendly. Get to Kids like to help. you have to join NZEI as a full member (fees vary according to what when it goes through the payroll Write down a private know the support Encourage peer you earn, starting at $2 a fortnight). deduction system. 1list of positive things 2 staff (teacher aides, 3 assessment (it helps See the reactions from student teachers at Annual Meeting, straight about all your students at caretakers, librarian, office kids learn). Get the kids to after free student membership was passed! Check out the videos on You can still join over the the end of term one. Keep a admin) and buddy up with tidy the room—don’t end Facebook (search NZEI Students and Beginning Teachers). phone (0800 NZEI HELP) or journal of funny things your the teacher next door, or up doing it yourself after Put together a For more information email [email protected] fill out a membership form. kids say. one other colleague at your school. reliever folder with centre—you never know 4 lesson plans for when when you’ll need them. you’re struck down with illness. Keep Panadol in your top drawer.

GET ACTIVE & LEARN Keep one item Have a life! Use whiteboard WITH EZI-CART from each child of Try not to markers to get 5 “top work” each take work 8 vivid marker off the year. These reminders of 6 whiteboard (and don’t use home and don’t successful projects and over-commit— Be prepared. Keep an whiteboard markers on the learning will inspire you. it’s ok if you emergency supply of interactive whiteboard!) miss a sporting 7 food in your classroom event. for those low-energy moments. Buy air freshener and invest in nit repellent. Laminate everything.

You’re Get paid. Make Take your sick Join NZEI! human. sure you know days when 0800 NZEI HELP Don’t be 10 what your starting 11 you need 12 is fantastic for 9 salary is and remember to them. In your first year outside assistance. Designed by expert physical educators to assist in curriculum support. afraid to make Ezi-Cart comes with a set of activity cards. These specifi cally designed games focus on mistakes in take into account previous you’re entitled to 31 building fundamental skills core to our students growth and development. Make activity front of your work experience and your (Primary Teacher’s fun and increase student participation with Ezi-Cart today. kids. qualification level. Collective Agreement), 15 P 0800 EZICART or 0800 394 227 F 06 952 4645 E [email protected] Call 0800 NZEI HELP (Kindergarten Collective For more information and downloadable order forms visit www.ezicart.co.nz (0800 693 443) if you need Agreement), 12 (ECE Ezi-Cart Limited, PO Box 4646, Palmerston North 4442 support. Collective Agreement).

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36 | education aotearoa summer 2011 | 37 reviews reviews Books for grown-ups Best new books for kids New Zealand parents are tough on their children. Simon Collins explains Daisy’s Maze have particular resonance discovery of the “most boring Kyle Mewburn for ages 9 to 13 and fans of book in the world” is going The Spirit Level that what makes some societies similar graphs in the book. Child $20 paperback Survivor-type reality TV shows. to lead them into an action- Richard Wilkinson & Kate harsh and others gentle is their wellbeing is highest in egalitarian Daisy lives at the top of a tall packed adventure that goes back Pickett (Penguin, 2nd ed) level of equality. The logic is Sweden and drops with each tower in the middle of a maze The NZ Kid’s Garden hundreds of years. Because 23 Things They Don’t Tell straightforward: in an equal increase in inequality down to the and has her friends to tea Diana Noonan & Keith Olsen the book is so boring that You About Capitalism society we can afford to be gentle pits of child abuse and neglect every Tuesday. Mistaking their $30 paperback nobody would ever read it because we know that everyone in dog-eat-dog post-Thatcher weariness for boredom, Daisy This practical, highly-illustrated and, therefore, it makes Ha-Joon Chang (Allen Lane) else will look after us if we need Britain and New Zealand. decides to make her tower even guide has been written the perfect place to hide a I have to thank former Children’s help; by definition, an equal The point is that it doesn’t taller and her maze even more specifically for the young terrible secret. A cracking Commissioner Ian Hassall for society is one where everyone, have to be this way. Wilkinson amazing … and her friends get gardener and contains all the read for age 10+. referring me to The Spirit Level whatever their abilities or state and Pickett show that people totally lost! Ages 3+. essential information needed to when it first came out two years of health, is brought up to a and apes have lived in both equal start a garden, plus information I Have Everything ago. I had been struck by his living standard much the same and unequal societies, and that Staying Home on the most popular plants Under Control comment, in an interview about as everyone else. our stress levels are much lower My True Diary of Survival children might like to cultivate. Victoria M Azaro smacking, that New Zealand In contrast, in an unequal in more equal ones. We have Jesse O (Jessica Le Bas) The attractive layout combines $21 paperback parents tended to be “harsher” society, the winners reap changed our social structures in $18 paperback information in bite-sized “Mum is doing yoga. She on our children than parents in incredible fortunes and the losers the past and we can do so again. Imagine waking up one chunks with lots of photos and does a lot of yoga now. other countries. suffer miserably in poverty and Korean-born British morning and discovering that illustrations. For all ages. The doctor says she is 22 weeks There were several possible insecurity. In such a society we development economist Ha-Joon a pandemic is sweeping the pregnant, but I think she is explanations, but one was that we need to elbow each other out of the Chang, in 23 Things They Don’t country and you can’t leave The Project like 50 or 60 weeks.” Mum is raise our children to survive in a way to claw our path to the top. Tell You About Capitalism, argues your house. You may have to Brian Faulkner having a baby, little sister Sage is much more ruthless, competitive that we can actually be better off stay home for weeks, possibly $20 paperback asking a million questions and society than parents in either Violent crime economically as well as socially months. For 12-year-old Zac When Luke’s and Tommy’s Saffron’s eccentric aunties have traditional village societies or The Spirit Level’s authors, British if we temper the extremes of Flint and his family, this is protest against a school just arrived from Argentina. This advanced social democracies health researchers Richard inequality and greed that led to the the reality they face. After assignment gets them into rollicking sequel to Saffron will such as Sweden. Wilkinson and Kate Pickett, recent global financial meltdown. last month’s earthquake in trouble with the principal, delight Clarice Bean and Judy Swedish psychologist My show that levels of trust, mental These two books could not Christchurch, this novel will they have no idea that their Moody fans. Ages 7 to 11. Wilkstedt surveyed parents and physical health, the status of be better timed. Wilkinson and here and in Sweden and found women, educational achievement Pickett have already been beamed that our parents were much and general child wellbeing all in by video link to New Zealand less protective of children. We increase progressively as societies meetings aimed at strengthening Read-aloud stories to enthrall your class encourage our children to be become more equal. our welfare state in the face Adults have many memories of their time at school, of the friends An Elephant in the Garden, Michael Morpurgo, years 5-8 more independent, and to cope Conversely, fighting and of a review group’s agenda to they made, of the teachers they loved (or not), and of the fun they Nanny Piggins, R A Spratt, years 3-6 with the consequences. We are bullying among children, reduce it, and at building a social had. For many though, their abiding memory is of the story they Unhooking the Moon, Gregory Hughes, years 6-8 also tougher on them – we are drug use, violent crime and development agenda for the new were read by a teacher that captured their imagination, transported Trash, Andy Mulligan, years 6-8 more likely to punish them both teenage parenthood (the female Auckland super-city. them into a different world, gave them permission to laugh, or The Magician’s Elephant, Kate DiCamillo, years 3-7 physically and emotionally, counterpart to male hopelessness They have an armoury of facts allowed them to walk a while in someone else’s shoes. Gone, Michael Grant, years 7-11 whereas Swedish parents are and rage) all increase with and detailed social and economic Invariably we meet them at the Children’s Bookshop when they The Thonwhaite Inheritance, Gareth P Jones, years 4-8 more likely to use requests, inequality. If you can see that you alternatives on their website, are looking for the book that they remember from 30 years ago Some tips: read the first four or five chapters fairly closely distractions and rewards. are destined for the scrap-heap equalitytrust.org.uk. Read the for their own children—and often they can’t recall the title. It can together to get them into the story, don’t persevere if it really Dr Hassall believes that rather than the top, why play by website, read these books, and be a challenge. isn’t working, and don’t turn it into a lesson. And if you’re stuck The Spirit Level is a key to rules that are stacked against you? let’s build the public support that It is a truism that children are pleasure-centred, they do best for a good recommendation—ask your librarian. explaining these differences. A graph plotting Unicef’s we need to gradually make our what they like doing, and being read to is still one of the great Get it right and believe me, they’ll remember the books you The book, which has recently index of 40 indicators of child society less harsh. received pleasures of growing up. So with that in mind, here are read much longer than the maths you taught. n gone into a second edition wellbeing against income Simon Collins is the a few recent sure-fire winners for teachers who want to cement ● John McIntyre, The Children’s Bookshop, Kilbirnie, Wellington with the subtitle Why Equality inequality in 22 rich countries New Zealand Herald’s their legacy as the storyteller who entranced their pupils: [email protected] is Better for Everyone, argues sums up a convincing array of social issues reporter

38 | education aotearoa summer 2011 | 39 Hertz rental car Trouble Is My Business rAISe FUNDS For tHe Feel the wind in your hair—take a road trip Trouble Is My Business is the slug xxxxxxxxxx out of town when you win the use of a Hertz inspirational story of ‘Peachy’, an MoSt vUlNerABle rental car for two days. *See conditions unconventional teacher in a tough New below. Zealand school whose refusal to give cHIlDreN AND yoUtH up on any of his students, even the gang members and habitual truants, helps them to turn their lives around. Directed by Juliette Veber. DVDs from Want a fun day out with the family on a bike? Join with TEAR Fund the New Zealand Film Commission. We in its inaugural Poverty Cycle event, and help raise funds to improve have five copies to give away. the lives of the poor and most vulnerable in your own community and overseas in TEAR Fund projects. The TEAR Fund Poverty Cycle has four events in: Auckland, New Plymouth, Nelson and Christchurch, on Saturday March 5, 2011. Help to change young lives by getting friends, family or work colleagues to Giveaways support you. Just register to cycle or volunteer to help at any of the Education Aotearoa offers educators a chance to win some events on: povertycycle.org.NZ great prizes. Enter by emailing educationaotearoa@nzei. org.nz by February 28, using the headline of the prize you’d project: Of the funds raised by the TEAR Fund Poverty Cycle, like to win as the subject line, for example, ‘Hertz rental 30% will go to local projects in Auckland, New Plymouth, Nelson & Join in and make a difference! car’. Send separate emails for each prize entry. Christchurch. The remaining funds will change the lives of the most vulnerable children and youth in TEAR Fund projects overseas.

Books for young children Copthorne Hotel Books for older children The Poverty Cycle Iconic Rides Win a pack of engaging new titles for giveaway Win a pack of great new titles for older younger children. Chill out with bed and breakfast readers. The majority of the routes are planned around 5tH MArcH 2011 established cycle paths for family safety. • Stories for a Fragile Planet, Kenneth Steven, for two, for two nights at a • Fruitloops and Dipsticks, Ulf Stark, illustrated by Jane Ray, $29.99, published by Millennium, Copthorne or $19.99, published by Gecko Press: a perfect AucklAnd - up to 50km Lion: a collection of world stories that reflect Kingsgate Hotel of your choice and hilarious novel of growing up. Ride starts at Onehunga Bay and turns around at the Otuataua Stonefields humanity’s need to take care of the world. throughout New Zealand. • New Zealand’s Wildlife of the Past, in Mangere with optional side journeys to Southdown, Puketutu Island • The Fierce Little Woman and the Wicked Dave Gunson, $24.99, published by New (Excludes Millennium Taupo, must be and the TEAR Fund offices in Mt Roskill (Approximately 3 hrs). Pirate, Joy Cowley, illustrated by Sarah taken in 2011.) Holland: facts about the unusual wildlife Davis, $19.99, published by Gecko Press: an that New Zealand has seen and much more. appealing and non-stereotypical love story. • House, Aleksandra Machowiak, $39.99, new plymouth - up to 22km published by Gecko Press: a funky and • The Very Important Godwit, stories and Ride starts at Ngamutu Beach following the award winning Coastal Walkway fascinating book about contemporary songs by Jenny Pattrick, music by Loughton path, and turns around at Hickford Park, Bellblock (Approximately 1.5 hrs). Pattrick, illustrated by Jez Tuya, $36.99 (CD architecture. included), published by Random House: little • Eep, Jake Van Leeuwen, $18.99, published Will can count lots of adult godwits, but why by Gecko Press: the story of a mysterious nelson - up to 38km bird-girl. can’t he see any godwit chicks? Ride starts at Annesbrook Church in Saxton Rd, Stoke. Family ride: 3km - loop • Organ Music, Margaret Mahy, $19.99, • 999 Tadpoles, Ken Kimura, illustrated by past the ASB Aquatic Centre. Easy Ride: 11km - follows the Old Railway Route. published by Gecko Press: a chilling tale of Yasunari Murakami, $19.99, published by Intermediate ride: 38km - follow the Easy ride, continue through Bishopdale, onto the danger, ghosts and secret experiments. Gecko Press: drama, tension and humour. Atawhai path - turn around at the reserve just before Clifton School. (approx 2.25 hrs). • Museums to Visit in New Zealand, • Dinosaurs Galore, written and illustrated by Alison Dench, $29.99, published by New Masayuki Sebe, $19.99, published by Gecko Holland: over 150 outstanding collections christchurch - up to 42km Press: a collection of puzzles and games. open to the public. Ride starts in Motukarara following the Little River Rail Trail, with the turnaround point at Catons Bay (Approximately 3.5 hrs).

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40 | education aotearoa summer 2011 | 41 opinion Not so rosy? A gain on league tables is a bright spot for embattled Australian educators, says former teacher Angelo Gavrielatos

When New Zealand educators look across How Australia ranks in the OECD, on the Tasman, they might feel envious of the much its PISA student assessment tables. larger pay packets. But take a closer look before you Rankings have declined following “greater jump to conclusions. For the last fifteen years, we accountability” reforms. have been in the grip of “greater accountability and high-stakes testing” educational reform. Teachers 2000 2003 2006 2009 have done their best to maintain high standards for Reading 4 4 6 6 their students—but national testing, league tables and a funding system that favours private schools Maths 5 8 9 9 over public are undermining a great system. Science 7 4 5 7

Falling PISA Not surprisingly, this has shown up in Australia’s administration of the NAPLAN tests. In some PISA results. Our rankings, while still high, have states this was deemed illegal industrial action. slipped in reading and maths. Our decline in Finally, the government woke up to some of reading is “statistically significant” and “occurred the issues and a working party was set up. It primarily because of a decline in performance at has negotiated a compromise whereby data on the highest level”, according to Professor Barry the website is copyrighted so the media cannot McGaw of Melbourne University. He says one compile league tables. cause is an over-reliance on basic skills testing. The data is still not of meaningful use to This is set to continue. parents. It largely remains more an indicator of Under NAPLAN (the National Assessment social privilege than school effectiveness, but by Program—Literacy and Numeracy), Year 3, 5, 7, ensuring it is protected by copyright there is less and 9 students are subjected to a battery of tests chance of it being misused. that are held on the same day across Australia. Our PISA results also show Australia has a They began in 2008, and last year the resulting very high “social gradient”, meaning that social data was uploaded onto the government’s background in this country has a well above- MySchool website, enabling the media to construct average effect on educational outcomes. league tables of primary schools for the first time. This might have something to do with the fact that, under the Howard government, school DQG\RXWKLQN\RXNQRZ Flawed data funding was skewed to such an extent that a The data was flawed, and despite assurances student attending a private school is now funded Under the Howard that schools would only be compared with like for thousands of dollars a year more than a government, schools, this did not prevent, for example, a small student attending a public school. Around 30 school funding country school being compared to a private school percent of students now attend private schools. was skewed so charging $A21,000 a year in fees. As the Australian The Labor leader, Julia Gilliard, has promised Education Union had predicted, schools from lower to review the funding system, but any changes that a private socio-economic areas were pilloried in the media, as will not be implemented until 2014. Gillard has school student were individual teachers and principals. Teachers in also promised to introduce performance pay, is now funded some states were also advised “to teach to the test”, school rewards and bonuses—based on the flawed for thousands resulting in a narrowing of the curriculum. NAPLAN data—when any superficial search of the of dollars a year literature shows this will impair the provision of Illegal action high quality public education. n more than a public Teachers were so incensed by the injustice of Angelo Gavrielatos is Federal President of the school student it all they voted to place a moratorium on the Australian Education Union.

42 | education aotearoa