Minister's Introduction
With the huge public focus on literacy lately, it was really great yesterday to turn my mind to numeracy with the launch of the next set of books in the Figure it Out series.
I had a wonderful visit to Jean Batten School in Mangere which illustrated what the books are about - a fun way to learn.
The series, aimed at Year 6 students, is being sent out to schools next week and I think both teachers and children will really enjoy using them. They're challenging, fun, and relevant to things children are interested in as well as our objectives to improve numeracy levels.
Anyone who thinks that schools are 'dumbing down' their lessons should take a look at these books. I've included a couple of examples below from the problem solving book in the series. In my press release to announce the books I offered a chocolate fish to the first person to contact my office with the correct answers. It took more than three hours for anyone to claim the prize.
Another highlight of yesterday's programme was a visit to the Mt Wellington Library to launch the Akozone. Akozone is an Auckland City Council initiative to run learning clubs in the Glen Innes and Mt Wellington libraries. It receives funding through the Government's study support centres programme. The turn out at yesterday's launch was affirmation of the huge amount of support there is for helping all children, regardless of their background, reach for the stars in education.
I visited Melbourne last week to look at some ICT initiatives in schools. I saw some interesting and innovative things that I've talked about briefly below. Victoria is regarded as a world leader in ICT in education and I am keen to look more at areas where we can learn from their experiences. But my visit was also a reminder that our schools here are really good and we should never forget that.
Trevor Mallard
Minister of Education
New Secondary School Property Guide
The new secondary school property guide is now available on line for
schools to work out how they will benefit.
The guide for year 9 to 13 schools, takes effect immediately, and provides,
on average, a 24% increase in entitlement compared to the old property
code. It replaces the old code developed some thirty years ago.
It will provide schools with the flexibility to organise their property
within their total net entitlement area.
"The Government is committed to a fair property programme for schools which
will help them provide opportunity for excellence for their students,"
Trevor Mallard said.
The introduction of the new guide will mean more funding for secondary
school property. For example nineteen schools will receive funding through
the Code Deficiency Programme this financial year. Others will be eligible
for increased modernisation funding as such funding is driven by property
entitlement as determined by the guide.
For more information go to the Ministry of Education's Web site
Information On Power Issue
A few schools have recently contacted the Ministry concerning increased
power charges. Information now on the Ministry of Education website
explains why some schools have been charged at higher rates, and actions
they can take.
www.minedu.govt.nz
Update On Education Amendment Bill
The Education Amendment Bill has been reported back to Parliament and is
awaiting its committee stages.
Education Minister Trevor Mallard spoke to the Auckland Primary Principals'
Association about the bill yesterday.
You can read his speech here on this Web site
Memorandum Of Understanding With Ngai Tahu
Education Ministers Trevor Mallard and Parekura Horomia have signed a
Memorandum of Understanding with Ngai Tahu which signals the government's
commitment to a partnership for education development.
Trevor Mallard said the memorandum is an innovative and positive example of
how national education policies can be implemented with, instead of upon, a
community.
"Ngai Tahu and the Crown want the same thing. We both want to improve
student participation and achievement; to lift outcomes for students,
families and communities; to have greater engagement in education; and to
build capability through lifelong learning. The memorandum provides a
solid basis for us to work together."
Road Safety Education Programme
Transport Minister Mark Gosche has announced a $9 million road safety
education programme to be offered to all primary and intermediate school
children.
The new programme will help teachers use road safety education in their
day-to-day delivery of the curriculum. It will be rolled out progressively
over the next three years beginning next school year. Ultimately it will
be offered to all primary and intermediate schools.
For more information click here
Changes To Support School Bus Drivers
Changes to the driver licensing system that will provide financial support
to some school bus drivers.
Associate Education Minister Marian Hobbs and Transport Minister Mark
Gosche say the Government recognises that many bus drivers, especially in
rural areas, do not drive for reward.
At present all bus drivers pay their share of the costs to have a passenger
licence endorsement. This system is based on the risk of carrying
passengers rather than the amount of time spent driving and means that the
cost and the prices are the same, regardless of how often someone drives a
bus. The Government intends to provide a Crown contribution to recognise
the work of many school bus drivers who work for the community and often
for only a few hours each month.
More information is available here:
Report On Rural Education
The Education Review Office (ERO) has published a report that looks at
rural families' perceptions of their children's education, from early
childhood through to the end of secondary school.
Rural Education was written for rural parents and communities and describes
the educational goals and experiences of 11 families living in rural areas.
"It's a good resource that will also help Government when developing
policies for rural school children," Minister responsible for the Education
Review Office Trevor Mallard said today.
Read the report here
Resource Teachers Of Literacy Meetings
More than one hundred teachers are already playing a key role in the
Government's effort to help schools to identify and improve the reading and
writing standards of children who might otherwise be left behind, Education
Minister Trevor Mallard said today.
Trevor Mallard said the Ministry of Education was holding regional seminars
focusing on professional development for the resource teachers who
specialise in literacy. The teachers are now working with clusters of
primary schools throughout the country.
Education Minister Visits Melbourne
Education Minister Trevor Mallard spent two days in Melbourne last week
looking at ICT in schools.
"As well as meeting with my Victorian counterpart and officials on various
projects that we can also be a part of, I had the opportunity to visit two
lighthouse schools where ICT is indeed an integral part of teaching and
learning.
"Essendon North Primary School and Glen Waverley Secondary College showed
me just what can be achieved. The teachers were really acting as
facilitators and ICT was used extensively in all parts of the curriculum
regularly. The management style and bubbly feel to the schools also
impressed me."
You can check out their websites:
www.gwsc.vic.edu.au and www.enps.vic.edu.au
Five Key Goals For Adult And Community Education
A 13-strong working group has identified five key goals for adult and
community education. (ACE)
The five goals identified by the group are:
ACE be recognised in an integrated tertiary education sector.
ACE meets the educational needs of communities
Maori development be supported though adult and community education
There be secure flexible and transparent funding for ACE
More work on improving the capacity of the ACE sector to deliver required
services.
"The adult and community education sector has a key part to play in the
growth of New Zealand as a learning society," Associate Education Minister
Marian Hobbs said.
"The government is committed to the formal recognition and support of the
sector. It can make a significant contribution to improving adult literacy
and the teaching of English to speakers of other languages."
Snap For Student Jobs
Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton and Social Services and Employment
Minister Steve Maharey have announced a 'Students Work' package of student
summer employment and assistance initiatives.
A key part of the new 'Students Work' programme is a trial business growth
and student employment project Snap. Snap was a Government response to the
difficulty many businesses have in finding affordable and capable
short-term employees, and to the need students have for meaningful holiday
work. The national awareness of the Snap programme is expected to
encourage employers to provide skilled jobs for students across the whole
country. It will locate up to 1000 new jobs by matching the employment
needs of business with the qualifications of tertiary students.
More information can be found at: www.snap.govt.nz
Try Some Examples From Figure It Out Problem Solving
Finding a Way
Every morning that she makes her bed, Aroha earns 5 cents pocket money. Every morning that she forgets, her parents take away 20 cents from her pocket money. At the end of the first month, Aroha has a balance of only 30 cents. How many days were in that month?
Snap
Melanie dropped a rubber ball off the top of the 27-metre-high building. Each time the ball landed, it bounced two-thirds of the height of the previous bounce. So the first bounce was two-thirds of 27 metres. How high was the fourth bounce?
CONTACTS AND SUBSCRIPTION
Receive Wise Up by e-mail
Hon Trevor Mallard - Minister of Education
Fax: 04 495 8448 e-mail: tmallard@ministers.govt.nz
Hon Steve Maharey - Associate Minister of Education (tertiary)
Fax: 04 495 8443 e-mail: smaharey@ministers.govt.nz
Hon Lianne Dalziel - Associate Minister of Education (special education; transport)
Fax: 04 495 8463 e-mail: ldalziel@ministers.govt.nz
Hon Marian Hobbs, Associate Minister of Education
Fax: 04 495 8467 e-mail: mhobbs@ministers.govt.nz
Hon Parekura Horomia - Associate Minister of Education (Maori education)
Fax: 04 495 8457 e-mail: phoromia@ministers.govt.nz
