NZPF Federation Flyer No 26 – 25 November 2010
Tēnā koe
This week our hearts and minds are focused on our colleagues and their school communities on the West Coast as families of the Pike River miners grieve the devastating loss of their loved ones.
In this community coal mining is not just for making a living, it is itself a way of life, deeply embedded in the culture and history of the district.
Generations of miners have prepared their sons and their sons in turn for life underground, and have shared with pride, stories of the history, the dangers, the camaraderie, the tragedies and the great joys.
When it comes to looking after each other, miners and their families are without equal. They are inspirational. Right now we know that those families affected are supporting each other and that in turn the locals of the district have wrapped every available support around them.
Click here for a pdf of this Flyer >>
Those of you leading West Coast schools have such an important role to play in supporting students and families as they come to face a new reality brought about by this extraordinary tragedy. We know that you are all well known to the children in your schools and their families and consequently provide huge influence in these peoples’ lives.
Principals nationwide reach out to you in offering their sympathy and support. Offers of help are streaming in and your colleagues in Christchurch have taken the initiative to help coordinate this for you. Erika Ross of Russley School in Christchurch is the liaison person for all principals/schools wanting to make a contribution.
Please contact Erika on 03 342 7783 or 021 837 710 with your offers of help. Our thanks to CPPA for responding so quickly and organising the delivery of support to our West Coast colleagues at this tragic time. Six Canterbury principals and senior teachers are already on site and will be deployed across the West Coast schools as needed.
The Ministry of Education has also set up a special Traumatic Incident Team to help West Coast schools manage the impact of this event. They are providing specialist support and advice directly to principals, teachers and staff across the region on how the affected children and young people can best be helped. This includes supporting communication and restoring regular routines for children. Additional Ministry staff from across the southern region are on standby and will be deployed if needed.
The Ministry reminds principals on the Coast, affected by the disaster, that provision has been made for schools to access additional staffing if requested and the need for schools to cover the first eight days for relief teaching has been waived. The Ministry’s Interim Response Fund (IRF) is also available to schools that might need immediate funding to support students
Phone 0800 848 326 for help from the Ministry. Additional information will be regularly posted on the Ministry of Education’s website at:
http://www.minedu.govt.nz/NZEducation/EducationPolicies/Schools/SchoolOperations/PikeRiver/GeneralInformation.aspx
In this sad week, I join with all NZPF colleagues in offering my heartfelt sympathy to the families of the Pike River miners who have lost their lives in this historic tragedy. We embrace you and surround you with our thoughts and prayers.
Kia kaha. Noho ora mai ra.
Ernie Buutveld
President
Proudly supported by our Gold Business Partners
Attention: This e-mail (and any attachments) is confidential and may be legally privileged.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...……………………
Upcoming Dates:
26 - 28 November Executive meeting in Wellington
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...……………………
This Flyer contains information on:
1 Next Flyer
2 Recent student sudden deaths
3 Education for Asia Summit
4 Doctoral Scholarship
5 NZPF 2011 Conference
6 Rural Women NZ Planting/Shade Projects – North Island Rural Schools Only
7 Banking Staffing Update November 2010
8 School Speed Limits
9 Business Partners
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...……………………
1 NEXT FLYER
The next issue of the NZPF Flyer will be prepared for dispatch early next week and will include snippets from the Executive Committee meeting which will be held this weekend in Wellington.
2 RECENT STUDENT SUDDEN DEATHS
There have recently been sudden deaths of students from some South Auckland Schools.
The media are currently running stories about these deaths and linking them to choking games – which are known by a range of names, including hangman. It is unhelpful to speculate upon the cause of these deaths because the reasons behind sudden death in youth are complex.
Child Youth and Family Northern Regional Director Grant Bennett says government agencies, schools and community groups are working together to support the families whose children have died. They will identify and work with potentially vulnerable youth and engage with parents and communities.
We recommend that you and your staff remain alert to the potential for students’ involvement in the choking game, be mindful about young people’s internet and technology use and be prepared to support them to communicate about things they may be hearing, writing or receiving.
Risk behaviour for young children and people can change from day to day so monitoring attendance and supervision of children and young people in education settings is also important.
It is possible that communicating about the ‘games’ could unintentionally promote interest and involvement. The key issue is to look out for the signs of risk and be able to recognise and respond to young people who may need help.
The guide and websites listed below will help you to do this. Although written in 1998 the guide remains current.
Young People at Risk of Suicide: A Guide for Schools (1998) http://www.nzgg.org.nz/guidelines/0027/Young_people_at_risk_of_suicide_a_guide_for_schools.pdf
www.spinz.org.nz
http://www.skylight.org.nz
The website www.thelowdown.co.nz has been designed specially for teenagers
If you have any concerns about this issue or need further support you can ring the Ministry’s Traumatic Incident helpline on 0800 848 326 or Child Youth and Family on 0508 FAMILY (0508 326 459).
3 EDUCATION FOR ASIA SUMMIT
This summit is a joint venture between the Ministry of Education and Asia NZ Foundation. Become an Asia Aware school. Join primary and secondary school principals for a day of inspiration to prepare young New Zealanders for a future with Asia. Registration, accommodation, meals and refreshments are FREE!
The summit includes:
Dinner at the Wellington Club on 5 April, 2011
Keynote speakers and plenaries at the James Cook Hotel on 6 April
Accommodation at the James Cook Hotel on 5 April, 2011
Who should attend?
New Zealand principals who are leading learning for a future with Asia
Keynote speakers:
Dr Yong Zhao, University Distinguished Professor at the College of Education, Michigan State University
Andrew Clark, senior partner and managing director Boston Consulting Group
Dr Michael Wesley, Executive director, Lowy Institute for International Policy, Sydney
Places are limited:
For more information visit www.asianz.org.nz
Are you attending the New Zealand Principals’ Federation conference in Wellington 6-9 April, 2011? Join us at the summit first!
4 DOCTORAL SCHOLARSHIP
Applications are invited from suitably qualified individuals for PhD scholarship funded by the Health Research Council of New Zealand. The successful applicant will join an established team of researchers from the Auckland University of Technology (AUT), the University of Otago, and Massey University in New Zealand. The student will be based at the Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition at AUT’s North Shore campus. The scholarship is valued at NZ$25,000 p.a (tax exempt) for three years. A full or partial tuition fee waiver may also apply. This PhD will be based on the potential effects of the programme on academic achievement and behaviour.
Applicants must meet the University’s selection criteria for entry into the PhD programme. Advice can be found at: www.aut.ac.nz/study-at-aut/apply-to-aut/postgraduate-students/entry-requirements/doctoral-degrees www.aut.ac.nz/_data/assets/pdf_file/0003/116337/2010PostgraduateHandbook.pdf
Information for international students can be found at: www.aut.ac.nz/study-at-aut/international-students
Curricula vitae and covering letters are to be received no later than 5 pm Friday November 26 2010, and should be sent to Dr Scott Duncan either by email (scott.duncan@aut.ac.nz) or post:
Dr Scott Duncan
Mail #A-24, Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition
Auckland University of Technology
Private Bag 92006
Auckland 1146, New Zealand
Queries related to the project or the position can be directed to Dr Scott Duncan by email scott.duncan@aut.ac.nz
To view full details of the scholarship, click on the link below.
http://www.cpan.aut.ac.nz/study-with-us/vacancies-and-internships
5 2011 NZPF CONFERENCE 6 - 9 APRIL
The Wellington team has combined to plot a Leadership Conference pathway to support leadership through these times of accountability and measurement. They have attracted a dynamic line up of world-class speakers to the 2011 Wellington Leadership Conference 2011 “Set Yourself Free”. Early Bird Registration Fee (before 16 December 2010) is $850 incl GST.
The conference focuses on generating great leaders and future global citizens. Our international speakers will educate, inspire, entertain, stimulate and provoke our thinking. This is a conference for school leaders and leadership teams. Set Yourself Free and be inspired by:
Andy Hargreaves – School of Education at Boston College
Jim Spillane – Northwestern University
Ben Levin – Canada Research Chair in Education Leadership and policy
Yong Zhao – College of Education, Michigan University
Michael Wesley – Lowy Institute of International Policy
Set Yourself Free and socialise at The Beehive on Wednesday 6 April for the welcome function and at Te Papa on Saturday 9 April for the conference dinner.
6 RURAL WOMEN NZ PLANTING/SHADE PROJECTS – NORTH ISLAND RURAL SCHOOLS ONLY
Rural Women New Zealand and Farmlands are delighted to be able to offer five North Island rural primary schools, with 300 pupils or fewer, the chance to apply for $2,000 each to be spent on shade sails and planting.
Applications close 30 November 2010, so don’t delay in telling us why your rural school should be one of them!
The winners will be notified on 10 December 2010.
Application form below:
RURAL WOMEN NEW ZEALAND and FARMLANDS
Application form for
North Island Rural Schools - SHADE AND PLANTING PROJECT
We wish to apply for a grant of $2000 to be used for shade sails and/or plants at our North Island rural primary school. If our school is successful we agree that details of our win can be used by Farmlands and Rural Women New Zealand for publicity purposes and photos of the completed project may be published in the media, and RWNZ and Farmlands’ publications.
Name of School: ____________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________
Principal/contact person: ______________________________________
Email: ______________________________ Phone: _________________
Please state why your school needs a shade sail and/or plants:
Send application to Rural Women New Zealand, PO Box 12-021, Wellington 6144, or email to enquiries@ruralwomen.org.nz or fax to 04 472 8946 by 30 November 2010.
7 BANKING STAFFING UPDATE NOVEMBER 2010
Predicting to Year End Balance
Pay Period 18 approaches and is probably the best time to predict your likely end of year balance as pp 19 clouds the issue due to holiday pay usage.
Reimbursement of Underuse
Reimbursement of underuse was signalled in a letter from Hon Anne Tolley, suggesting “end of year” balance and “up to 10% of total entitlement.”, followed by MOE Circular 2010/12, implying a pp 26 balance (March) and 10% of the remaining underuse, as well as making us aware that reimbursements will be calculated using our roll based staffing, not the provisional staffing roll. It also outlines the process MOE will use to determine reimbursement rates.
For these reasons and the NZPF position stated in an earlier flyer, that schools endeavour to use their full entitlement in the year in which it was allocated or pp 26 at the latest, we again encourage schools to use their full entitlement by pp 26.
Those of you with a provisional roll which is still greater than your roll based staffing will see that if you don’t use the surplus staffing it will be lost at pp 26 with no reimbursement likely. – Play it safe and use everything you can by pp 26!
Gavin Price, NZPF Life Member gavin.price@xtra.co.nz
8 SCHOOL SPEED LIMITS
In New Zealand there are many schools where there is no special speed limit that keeps school children safe. All it would take is a speed reduction in the short school zone area, yet the Government is fighting this every step of the way. Outside most rural schools the speed limit is 100km/h and many principals have witnessed close calls involving children and speeding cars. A campaign has now been launched to have a National Speed Limit of 40km/h or less introduced outside all schools. To help us achieve this please sign the online petition by clicking on the following link: http://www.school-speed.org.nz/ Also you may want to have a look at the NZ School Speed Facebook page for more information on this: http://www.facebook.com/pages/NZ-School-Speeds/109007702471189 Thank you very much. Ultimately your actions will save children's lives.
9 BUSINESS PARTNERS
One of the undertakings the NZPF gives its business partners is that at the very least, they are given the opportunity by members to quote for a service or solution. They are realists and understand all too well the marketplace so giving them a chance to keep their collective pencils sharp is appreciated all round.
Our Business Partners are:
Gold
CallPlus Services Limited
Furnware
Konica Minolta Business Solutions New Zealand Limited
Programmed Property Services
Scholastic New Zealand Limited
Silver
ALSCO
Lundia Shelving Limited
Sitech Systems N.Z. Ltd
Bronze Ahead Buildings Interested in becoming an NZPF Business Partner? We welcome enquiries from businesses that are interested in engaging with schools. If you would like to know how a partnership with NZPF can add value to your business, while supporting New Zealand education , please email David Ellery (NZPF’s Business Partner Convener), for an information package and further details about NZPF.
ASB Bank Limited
Crest Commercial Cleaning Ltd
Equico Limited
MUSAC
OfficeMax
PhotoLife Studios Limited
Postie Plus Group Limited
Smith & Smith
UNITE
