NZPF Federation Flyer No 29 –15 December 2010

Tēnā koe 

It’s hard to believe but this is the last week of school and this is the last NZPF Flyer for the 2010 year.  It’s a year that has been dominated by National Standards, so it is appropriate that we should finish the year by giving you the latest National Standards update.

In Flyer 28 we explained that Prof Gary Hawke, Chair of the Minister’s National Standards Sector Advisory Group (NSSAG), had invited us, through the Minister to present alternative wording to NAG 2A.

The National Executive made the call to do that but not to commit beyond that point unless clear progress was possible. Accordingly we did put forward some alternate wording that would still meet the Government’s objective of raising achievement.

There were a number of practitioners present at the meeting and there were a number of strong criticisms expressed by those practitioners in respect of National Standards’ weaknesses, flaws and also the notion of generating an OTJ or OBJ via IT.  Academics also echoed these reservations. Later the group was briefed that work was underway to explore how IT/software might provide a solution to the moderation issues which have been widely acknowledged as problematic. 

An Aide Memoir has since been written by Prof Hawke forming the basis of his reporting to the Minister. NZPF is not entirely convinced that it reflects accurately the tenor of the meeting or the depth of feeling around the table nor does it refer to the discussion of the NZPF re-write of NAG 2A.  The intention is that this Aide Memoire will be placed here on the NSSAG web site (http://nssag.minedu.govt.nz/meetings/ ) along with the NZPF re-write but as yet has not appeared. Once uploaded it will provide a very clear indication as to where this group is headed.

The NZPF did not attend the NSSAG with the intention of joining it as such. As long as the NSSAG follows an agenda of working towards the implementation of what we believe to be fundamentally flawed National Standards,  NZPF has no place at the NSSAG table.   

Our intention now is to continue our education programme which is having such a positive influence out in the communities. More than ever, we are confident that our position to oppose the current National Standards is the right one. 

We are mindful that our campaign would never have seen the light of day without the generous contributions which so many of you made as individual principals. Associations from around the country too have been hugely supportive - our very sincere thanks.  We asked you to dig deep in your own pockets to fund the campaign and you did. There are far too many of you to write to individually, but please accept this special thank you as a personal acknowledgement from the NZPF National Executive and indeed its membership.  We salute you and pay tribute to you for responding to the call at a crucial time. From this point in time it looks as if 2011 looks to offer more of the same unless our policy makers and politicians have the will to sincerely listen to practitioners and the advice from academics. 

In support of our position, the OECD report, released last week confirmed that countries in which national standards or national testing had been introduced, such as Australia and the UK, had experienced a decline in achievement levels.  The most notable of all is the US which is now struggling to keep above average in the OECD when once it was in the top five countries. New Zealand is performing ahead of all these countries now in maths, literacy and science. Our media release can be found here .

Should you have any time over the break the OECD report is worthwhile reading and can be found here… Here’s but a snippet… Home background influences educational success, and schooling often appears to reinforce its effects. Although poor performance in school does not automatically follow from a disadvantaged socio-economic background, the socioeconomic background of students and schools does appear to have a powerful influence on performance. Socio-economic disadvantage has many facets and cannot be ameliorated by education policy alone, much less in the short term. The educational attainment of parents can only gradually improve, and average family wealth depends on the long-term economic development of a country and on a culture that promotes individual savings. However, even if socio-economic background itself is hard to change, PISA shows that some countries succeed in reducing its impact on learning outcomes.

The work of BTAC continues unabated and the group will  finish the year with more than 300 boards signed up to say they will not be setting targets against National Standards for 2011 because they do not have confidence in them.  We congratulate each and every board for making a decision based on sound judgement, high morals and ethics  and which puts the interests of children and the New Zealand Curriculum first.  You are the people who will be well remembered in the years to come as we look back on this unfortunate phase in our educational history. You are inspirational, exemplary and have set a high standard for others to follow.

And speaking of high moral standards, ethics and concern for one’s peers, we give the last word of the year to the children. Auckland students last week handed a $40 000 cheque via the APPA President to the President of CPPA to support the children of Christchurch in the wake of the earthquake. Hawkes Bay students likewise raised $14 500. Other schools, associations and individuals too have contributed much to getting Canterbury back on its feet. Funds are being distributed to the most needy - students from St Pauls and Halswell schools in particular. Thanks also needs to be expressed to those from the MoE who did a huge amount of work for schools and children throughout. CPPA folk likewise have done much to help co-ordinate and support those in need. Diana Noonan, Gavin Bishop and Scholastic have, through the production and launch of Quaky Cat, gifted $25 000 in a similar fashion, not to mention distributing 14 000 copies to all Year 1 & 2 pupils in and around Christchurch. 

Thanks also to those who have supported the communities on the West Coast this year affected by the Fox Glacier plane crash and the recent Pike River incident. The support from the Ministry, colleagues, the wider community and the children in your schools has been exemplary. Again many associations, schools and individuals have contributed to date. CPPA in conjunction with Furnware and Konica Minolta are gearing up for fundraising in the New Year particularly for the 11 school communities affected.

It is actions such as these that remind us of the great country in which we live, that we do really care for each other and in the face of tragedy, pull together to support each other. These are great values of which to be proud, long may they persist.

This is of course my final flyer as Peter Simpson assumes the presidency from 1 January 2011. It is my last opportunity to publically express my thanks for the huge support afforded me both in my role as president and also personally. As you can guess, much advice and guidance is forthcoming from within and beyond our membership across New Zealand. The NZPF has matured significantly in the last two years and looks to continue strongly into the future.

My very best wishes go with you as you head off for a well deserved summer holiday. 

Noho ora mai ra. Kia kaha.  

Ernie

Proudly supported by our Gold Business Partners

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Upcoming Dates:

17 Dec Office closes

17 Jan 2011 Office opens

6-9 April 2011 2011 NZPF Conference in Wellington ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...……………………

This Flyer contains information on:

1 NZPF 2011 Conference

2 Book Wanted

3 2010 NZPF Sitech Award Winner

4 2011 Don Le Prou Award Winners

5 2011 Rural Conference Fund Recipients

6 Principals’ Working Group

7 ERO announcement

8 Business Partners

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1 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.  To register, click here http://www.nzpfconference2011.co.nz/how-to-register/ 

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.

2 BOOK WANTED PLEASE ~ CHECK YOUR BOOK SHELVES

We at NZPF are seeking a copy of the book ‘The Effective School Board’ (1990), by Terry Kilmister. Seemingly it is no longer available for purchase.  If you have a copy on your School Office shelf and can spare it for a time, please contact Jan Franklin, Office manager NZPF on natoff@nzpf.ac.nz  or phone 04 471 2238.

3. NZPF SITECH AWARD WINNER

The NZPF Sitech award winner for 2010 is Peter Verstappen from Southbridge School in Ashburton.  Peter will be investigating successful models of home-school partnerships in English primary schools. He will be examining techniques that innovative educators are using to create successful home-school partnerships, including hard-to-reach families and in addition will examine how innovative educators use digital technology to report student achievement and engage students and their families in online learning partnerships. Congratulations Peter.  

NZPF acknowledges the generous support from our business partner Sitech in making this award available to members. 

4. DON LE PROU AWARDS

NZPF provides an annual fund in honour of Don Le Prou, a former NZPF President, to offer PD support for members in U1 – 3 schools. Congratulations to the following recipients for 2011; Katrina Hampton, Marama Stewart, Lisa Maniapoto, Kim Theyers, Mark Parsons, Stephanie Madden, Shane Downs, Andrew King and Shaun Tepana. 

5. RURAL CONFERENCE FUND

The Rural Conference Fund is provided by NZPF for rural associations in support of enabling regional/rural seminars, conferences and activities. Recipients for 2011 are Horowhenua, Massey University College of Education, Te Aroha (TSAC), West Coast and Northern Wairoa.

6. PRINCIPALS’ RTLB WORKING GROUP

This group has now been formed and has already met for two days recently in Wellington. The most recent update can be found here. The NZPF representative is Phil Palfrey from Manurewa East School. phil@nzpf.ac.nz 

7. EDUCATION REVIEWS TO BE PUBLISHED ON THE ERO WEBSITE

The Education Review Office is to publish regularly a list of the early childhood services and schools that have already been notified of their ERO review dates. From next week, people will be able to check on ERO’s website to see which early childhood and school reviews will be coming up in the following few months. The list will be set out by region and institution type in alphabetical order but not include dates.

8. BUSINESS PARTNERS