Royters
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In the House 09/02/2010 - 10:53am Comments 0 Legislation this week - 9-11 February, 2010 Question time will resume on Wednesday 10 February, 2010. - Motion without Notice: Condolence motion regarding Haiti disaster Government Bills: Appropriation (2008/09 Financial Review) Bill – Second Reading Children, Young Persons, and Their Families (Youth Courts Jurisdiction and Orders) Amendment Bill – Second Reading Child and Family Protection Bill – First Reading Judicial Matters Bill – Second Reading A more detailed rundown of Parliament this week can be viewed by clicking on 'In The House' or at http://www.roy.org.nz/inthehouse Comment |
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The Make-up of our Schools in 2010 09/02/2010 - 9:53am Comments 0 The new school year got underway last week with 9,900 new entrants starting their first day of school with brand new backpacks, shiny shoes, and freshly sharpened pencils. I am sure it was a mixture of nerves and excitement for parents and students alike. The new entrants are joining 754,000 other students who will be attending schools around the country this year. The new school year has seen several changes from 2009 in the number of students enrolled and the diversity in our classrooms. Birth rates, migration rates, and the current economic climate are all factors that affect the makeup of New Zealand school rolls. Primary school rolls are expected to increase by about 2,250 compared to the 2009 school year. The growing number of new entrant students enrolling is a direct consequence of the number of births increasing since 2003 following a lower birth rate from 1992-2003. This is predicted to be the peak until 2012/13 when the high birth numbers of 2007/2008 will start to affect primary school rolls. The economic climate also appears to have affected student numbers as retention of students at the other end of the spectrum – secondary school leavers - has increased by 6.8% between 2009 and 2010 compared to 2008-2009. It is possible that reduced employment prospects have influenced many students’ decisions to return to school beyond the years of compulsory education. New Zealand classrooms are also becoming more diverse with increasing proportions of Maori, Pasifika, and Asian students. Over the last decade this has been a growing trend with the declining numbers of European/Pakeha students and increasing numbers of Maori, Pasifika, and Asian students. In addition, New Zealand gained 1,600 students between the ages of 5 and 17 through migration last year With the school year now in its second week I am sure students have formed many new friendships and are settling into their new, or not so new, schools. As Associate Minister of Education, I am once again looking forward to seeing for myself students in their classrooms throughout the year. Comment |
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Visit to Zealandia : The Karori Sanctuary Experience 08/02/2010 - 5:13pm Comments 0  When I received an invitation to visit the Karori Sanctuary today to see the current re-development taking place and have a walk around the bush I jumped at the opportunity. Wellington put on a perfect sunny day today for some bird and wildlife spotting. The Karori Sanctuary is unique and is one of Wellington’s true assets. The Sanctuary is just ten minutes from the city centre and provides a wonderful opportunity to see New Zealand birds, insects and lizards in their natural environment of New Zealand native fauna. On my trip this afternoon I saw amongst other things three Tuatara sunning themselves on rocks, some very well camouflaged green geckos and a number of different birds including Saddlebacks, Fantails, Hihi and Bellbirds. Nancy, the Chief Executive of the Karori Sanctuary Trust was a wonderful tour guide and started the visit off by showing me around the building which will become the new visitor centre. All guests will pass through the centre on arrival at the Sanctuary and have the opportunity to view displays and a movie from multiple levels. I was impressed with the thought behind the new development, with exhibitions planned to highlight not only Wellington region’s conservation efforts but other New Zealand sites serving to protect our native wildlife such as Codfish Island and Kapiti Island. Visitors will also be able to learn about the story behind New Zealand’s native birds and the evolution from Gondwana to the New Zealand we live in today. The Sanctuary is still open to the public during the renovations and summer is a great time of year to take a look around so I highly recommend a visit while the sun is still shining – overseas visitors in particular will be impressed with the variety of unique wildlife New Zealand has. I’m definitely planning another visit to see the new facilities and exhibitions when they open at Easter this year. More on the Karori Sanctuary can be found at http://www.visitzealandia.com/Site/Zealandia_Home/Default.aspx Comment |
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Treaty Of Waitangi documents on display 07/02/2010 - 5:34pm Comments 0 Yesterday I took my teenage boys to view the original Treaty of Waitangi documents at Archives New Zealand (National Archives) in Wellington. They don’t normally open at the weekend, but did yesterday to mark the 170th anniversary of the signing. The Treaty, after restoration from damage caused by age, rats and water damage, is displayed in glass cabinets in a vault – the Constitution Room - and has subdued lighting to protect the parchment and paper of the nine documents that form the written Treaty. To my surprise the boys were as interested in the original Treaty as I was and they clearly enjoyed telling me the odd fact or two that I hadn’t been previously aware of! Also housed in the vault were a number of other precious historical documents including the 1893 Women’s Suffrage Petition. Waitangi Day provides us with an opportunity to reflect on where we have come from and how we have evolved as a nation. In 2006 I went to Waitangi and was impressed with the positive attitudes and welcoming environment I saw. It was the first peaceful Waitangi Day for some time and this was probably due to the fact that the Maori Party had just been elected to parliament. Media commentary in the run-up to Waitangi Day for the past couple of years has largely focussed on flags, Republic vs Monarchy, National Anthems and this year there was even a survey on whether or not we should replace New Zealand as the name of our country! These topics all provoke a wide range of responses, especially the flag debate. Although symbolic these debates only address the cosmetic – as one friend said to me recently “the paint on the yacht that is New Zealand”. The real issue we should be addressing is a constitution for New Zealand – principles that our legislative framework operates on. I’m not saying it will be easy but it is, in my view, an essential basis for the future of New Zealand. Then we can decide on a flag and a National Anthem that represents everyone. Comment |
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Reflections on Peace, Security & Nationhood 05/02/2010 - 10:38pm Comments 0 Every year, in the lead-up to Waitangi Day, political leaders traditionally make their ‘State of the Nation’ speeches before descending on the Bay of Islands for commemoration of the 1840 Treaty. In the last couple of decades, 6 February has developed a tendency toward a rather unhealthy mix of sensationalism and introspection. The scorecard each year tends to be dominated by the level of angst at official gatherings but I don’t think that this is an accurate reflection of the state of the nation or, for that matter, the world. Amongst other things, the Treaty of Waitangi brought a formal end to military hostilities between Maori and Britain. What lessons can be learned from the shared experience before, during and since that event? Military planning has traditionally been oriented toward the protection of people, assets and the means by which one uses the other to generate wealth. In an era of increasing irrelevance for the nation state, does that raison d’être hold true? Because, while there are those who feel genuinely aggrieved; who lack such basics as water, food, shelter and choices about their future; there can never be peace. They will not fight us or our allies in order to defend their assets and wealth. They will fight to survive. They will fight to the death to protect their children. We would do the same in their circumstances. There can never be enduring peace while there are people in the world who lack the basic elements for sustaining life, who crave a sense of belonging and the chance to better themselves. Therefore, a national security policy based solely on protecting us and our wealth from the cries of those who have nothing will have the effect of multiplying by zero. Such an approach will not result in peace and security. It will have absolutely the opposite effect. If peace is the absence of war and security is the lack of invaders – in all their forms – at our doors, then NZ has not been at peace for a very long time. We need capable armed forces but, in isolation, the strongest force is irrelevant if not combined with effective Governmental means for addressing the cries of the needy – here and abroad. A new Government brings with it the chance to change step. By that, I don’t mean greater powers for the State. Actually, I mean just the opposite. We must remove the barriers to people’s choices in every walk of life and they, by their choices, will 'declare peace' because they will have been given the greatest gift that any Government can bestow. FREEDOM. Comment |
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This Week in History - the USS Buchanan 05/02/2010 - 7:18pm Comments 0 In the late 1970s and '80s New Zealand was caught in the grip of anti-nuclear fever – nuclear-powered warships the USS Truxtun and the USS Long Beach drew protests when they visited in 1976, and there were anti-nuclear rallies in Auckland when the USS Texas visited. Elected in July 1984 the Lange Labour Government, partly picking up on the mood of some of the population but mostly manoeurved by the 'left' of the party, made it clear that it would establish New Zealand as nuclear-free. this proved popular with 40 towns and boroughs declaring themselves nuclear-free. Lange also announced its decision to ban nuclear-powered and/or armed ships – a stand that was soon put to the test. In late 1984 the US Government asked that the guided missile destroyer USS Buchanan be allowed to visit New Zealand. The US hoped that the New Zealand public would not realise the older ship was nuclear-armed, allowing it to slip under the political radar. Hoping the US would offer to send something less ambiguous, Lange replied that the ship's arrival "would be seen as a surrender by the Government." He hoped in vain, however: it was the Buchanan or nothing. On February 4 1985, the Lange Labour Government refused permission for the USS Buchanan to visit New Zealand – within just days the US severed visible intelligence and military ties with New Zealand, and downgraded political and diplomatic exchanges. And, while the ANZUS structure remained in place, US Secretary of State George Schultz confirmed that the US was no longer willing to maintain its security guarantee to New Zealand. Comment |
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The Start of the NZI Sevens 04/02/2010 - 4:46pm Comments 0  Crowds lined the streets of the central city today as thousands of Wellingtonians and rugby fans from farther afield turned out in force for the annual NZI Sevens parade in anticipation of, what has become, one of the biggest events of the capital's calendar. An annual event played as part of the IRB Sevens World Season for international rugby sevens – a seven-a-side version of rugby – the NZI Wellington Sevens is this year the third on the IRB Sevens World Series circuit and will be played at Westpac Stadium this weekend. Attracting over 30,000 spectators each year, 'Sevens' is Wellington's largest sporting event – and known for its festive party atmosphere – last year won by England, who beat New Zealand 19-17. This year's parade was led by Wellington samba band Batucada and featured the tournament's 16 competing teams – including Argentina, Tonga, Samoa, the US, Wales, Scotland and New Zealand. A quick tally in my office showed that most of my staff are backing the New Zealand team to win, one is predicting a victory for Samoa, and two are in support of England winning! Based on the results from the last 10 years New Zealand are the sure favourites with four wins to both Samoa’s and England’s one-time victories. I am backing the Scotland team who has never won the competition but of course, there is always a first time for everything! No doubt the city will be lit up this weekend as we are treated to an array of costumes and festivities. I wish the Scottish team all the best of luck and of course the Kiwis too!  Comment |
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Launch of Special Education Review Discussion Document 03/02/2010 - 1:23pm Comments 0  This morning I had the pleasure of launching the discussion document for the Special Education Review at Evans Bay Intermediate School (EBIS) in Wellington. The launch marks the beginning of government consultation with the community about what the future of special education should look like. Evans Bay Intermediate was a very fitting place to hold the launch as they are about to start building the Kimi Ora Special School satellite unit on their grounds. Principal Wendy Esera, the board of trustees, and the students are looking forward to the upcoming addition to their school. The unit will accommodate students with high physical needs while also including them in the mainstream school setting. It is these types of initiatives that I want to encourage. I took the opportunity to remind the students that we all have our strengths and weaknesses, including students with special needs. Our talents aren't always obvious but it can be really rewarding to unearth these in each other. The unit will provide a great opportunity for all EBIS students to support and learn one another. The discussion document provides the opportunity for parents, teachers, organisations, and the wider community to give feedback on how we can improve special education. Government is specifically interested in finding out how we can make sure schools feel confident to welcome any student, regardless of their needs, and what type of arrangements would make this possible. In addition, we are keen to hear about how we can ensure that funding is fair and efficient, how we can mange transitions effectively, and how to make sure that service provision is responsive. This is a great opportunity to contribute to the future of special education and I encourage anyone with an interest in special education to make a submission. You can download the document and make a submission online by visiting: http://www.minedu.govt.nz/theMinistry/Consultation/ReviewOfSpecialEducat.... Alternatively mail to: Review of Special Education Consultation, Ministry of Education, PO Box 166, Wellington 6140. Comment |
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Guest Blog : Duncan Lennox on National Standards 02/02/2010 - 11:30pm Comments 2 Duncan Lennox is a primary school teacher and principal who retired after 40 years in primary and intermediate school education. He taught at Otara, Tamaki, and Dargaville Intermediate schools, at a school in a Papua New Guinea, and Flaxmere Primary School. Duncan started the Hastings Christian School which grew from 16 pupils to 140 pupils. When I started school in1948, school reports were pretty simple. There were two columns; one for effort and one for achievement. Each had a five point scale. The curricula for Years 0 – 8 were contained in one folder with one booklet of about 40 A5 pages for each curriculum subject. Principals oversaw the grades that were given and every three years inspectors came around and checked out these and other aspects of the schools’ performance. Teachers, principals and inspectors were able to ensure the assessments were in line with some basic standardised tests. Later NZCER developed the Progress and Achievement Tests (PAT) which were set to the NZ situation. These improved people’s objectivity and accuracy in assessments. Parents were confident that the assessments gave an accurate idea of how each child was achieving for his/her age. The National Curriculum documents introduced in 1994 were described by one of our top educational experts as monsters because of the thousands of Learning Objectives and Specific Learning Outcomes. Much of it was a politically and philosophically driven agenda of the Left. Reporting of pupils’ achievement for their age became confused in detail. “Edubabble” reports became complicated, wordy and confusing but did not answer the two things parents wanted to know: How is my child achieving for his/her age? Is he/she working hard and behaving? Parents and employers are convinced that in spite of the extra billions of dollars going into the system, many young people are coming out at the end less skilled than in the past. Parents are not stupid. When school zoning was abolished pupils from poorly performing schools left in droves to go to schools with high standards. There are good examples of students fleeing from poorly performing schools to those with impressive results. Helen Clark’s government reintroduced zoning and made questionable appointments. Under that sort of influence Labour set a goal of having New Zealand rise to the educational level of the average of the OECD. Before all the nonsense started, we were with the top! Children are not the property of government, to be moulded into political pawns of the Left. Children are the responsibility of parents. Parents must be given the power to know how their children are achieving and how their schools are performing and given the freedom to choose what they believe is the best school for their children. National Standards are one means of helping parents know more accurately how their children and schools are doing. For good teachers it is reassuring to have an objective standard to know where they are going and how well they are doing. It is a win-win situation for pupils, parents and teachers. But it’s only a start. Real progress will come when parents have access to reliable information about their childrens’ progress and the quality of schools. Then real choice for parents will exist. Comment |
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First Day of School at Corelli School for the Arts 02/02/2010 - 7:06pm Comments 0 Each year, throughout the country, hundreds of children and young people experience the age-old and inevitable side-effect of starting a new school: first day jitters. Teachers are always on hand to help ease those nerves and today, at the Corelli School of the Arts in Auckland’s Browns Bay, so was I. I had been invited to visit the school to take part in the making of a documentary that Corelli is producing. The documentary follows a number of students through the first six months of their journey to becoming international performers. I have to admit that making a documentary is a very fitting project for a school that provides a focus on drama, music, dance and the visual arts. Among the students having their experiences documented is a recipient of the Aspire Scholarship programme I announced last year. The scholarship is open to students from low income families and allows them to attend an Independent School of their choice. Four Aspire Scholars are currently attending Corelli – among them an impressive young man called Aurelion, a ballet protégé I had the pleasure of meeting this morning along with his parents Gayle and David. Aurelion’s family moved to Auckland from Whangarei so that he could use his scholarship to attend Corelli and fulfil his true potential. Aspire scholars throughout the country have started at their new independent schools this week and, while I’m sure they all had their fair share of jitters, I have no doubt they settled in quickly and are already making the most of the opportunities their new schools have to offer. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Corelli today which included welcoming everyone on their first day of school at assembly, a tour of the school and an impromptu filming of a mock interview with two of the students. I’ve not seen the footage yet, but think wisdom would dictate that I stick with my day job! Comment |
