Issue 98 Term 2 | 2013
LEADERS IN EDUCATION NEWS SINCE 1989
www.principalstoday.co.nz
Man on a
mission
Steve Gurney talks about thinking big, taking risks and helping people find their own goals
A PUBLIC SCHOOL WITH PRIVATE HELP A two decade relationship worth its weight in gold
WALKING THE TALK Peg Lockyer, the Diocesan School’s sports director, on why her role is about more than fun and games
THE RISING PRICE OF LEARNING New Zealand has been ranked as having one of the top education systems in the world - which would be a great thing if we all had access to it
ds Thousanworth s of dollarr Rewards e of Read is issue! in th or details
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ADDRESSING UNDERACHIEVEMENT The three areas that need addressing to lift the underachieving tail
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ISSN 1170-4071 HAVE THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE SEEN THIS?
Principal Administration Dept Board of Trustees Property Manager Outdoor Ed Dept Teachers
A WORLD AWAY Welcome to Willow Park Though only half an hour from downtown Auckland, Willow Park is a world away from the city itself. For conferences, schools, churches, business groups, or just relaxing - all you need is right here in seven acres of park-like grounds on the edge of the beautiful Waitemata Harbour. Willow Park is a multi-purpose venue for a wide range of guests. Willow Park can accommodate 180 people in bunk or family style rooms with some twin rooms available. The beautiful inner harbour of the Hauraki Gulf is ideal for watersports and safe for the Willow Park canoes (8 available). Our latest addition is a multi-purpose Recreation Centre. The innovative Flotex floor is ideal for both large conferences and a wide range of sports including basketball, volleyball, indoor hockey, badminton (4 courts), or indoor soccer. • Recreation Centre • Beach • Quiet places • Mini Golf • Conference areas • Sports fields • Children’s play area • Tennis courts
WILLOW
Willow Park Christian Camp & Convention Centre 1 Hostel Access Road, Eastern Beach, Auckland 2012. PO Box 54 098, The Marina 2144
Phone: 09 534 9640 Fax: 09 537 0930
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Email: office@willowpk.org.nz Web: www.willowpk.org.nz
Issue 98 Term 2 | 2013
www.principalstoday.co.nz
LEADERS IN EDUCATION NEWS SINCE 1989
Man on a
mission
Steve Gurney talks about thinking big, taking risks and helping people find their own goals
A PUBLIC SCHOOL WITH PRIVATE HELP
Contents 8 A PUBLIC SCHOOL WITH PRIVATE HELP
A two decade relationship worth its weight in gold
A two decade relationship worth its weight in gold
WALKING THE TALK Peg Lockyer, the Diocesan School’s sports director, on why her role is about more than fun and games
THE RISING PRICE OF LEARNING New Zealand has been ranked as having one of the top education systems in the world - which would be a great thing if we all had access to it
s Thousand worth of dollarsRewards er of Read is issue! in th details
RR See pag
ADDRESSING UNDERACHIEVEMENT The three areas that need addressing to lift the underachieving tail
e 4 for
ISSN 1170-4071 HAVE THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE SEEN THIS?
Principal Administration Dept Board of Trustees Property Manager Outdoor Ed Dept Teachers
Principals Today
5,240
How one private-public partnership has made the world of difference to the students at a decile one school
Issue 98
ABC circulation as at 31/12/12
www.principalstoday.co.nz HEAD OFFICE
Man on a mission
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Steve Gurney is no ordinary bloke. The nine times Coast to Coast winner talks about thinking big and taking risks
Gary Collins
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24 Walking the talk
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6 BRINGING LEARNING TO LIFE Seminar series shows how to get more out of your software 7 THE RISING PRICE OF LEARNING Education for everyone – yeah right! 12 KEEPING KIDS SAFE Giving kids the skills to stay safe 14 MAKING HEALTHY CHOICES Nutrient guidelines for nonpackaged foods. 14 DELIVERING A SENSE OF DIRECTION The importance of planning and goal setting
Supplements 26 TOOLS Using sensory feedback to deliver meaning for learners
26 ENVIRONMENT The recycling centre that ended up running a competition for schools 28 ICT Been a while since your website had a facelift? 30 RESOURCES Advancing senior science students 31 FINANCE Why leasing might be right for you
Peg Lockyer, the Diocesan School’s new sports director on using games to learn life skills such as teamwork, discipline and lifestyle balance
36 SPECIAL EDUCATION Breaking down misunderstandings about gifted children
Lifting the underachieving tail
ONLINE
6 THE SHAPE OF EDUCATION TO COME Labour Party leader David Shearer on delivering education success
Making sport more than just games
31 underachievement
Phone: 03 940 4732 Fax: 0800 555 054 Email: production@academy.net.nz
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16 LIFESTYLES The best home entertainment buddy ever, a not so serious seat, designer tents and the coolest camera around
18 Cover story
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Issue 98 / Term 2, 2013
The three key areas that need addressing to ensure no child is left behind
32 SCHOOL CAMPING A couple of great places for the perfect class getaway
37 VIDEO CONFRENCING The answer for remote learning 37 SUPPORT AND COUNSELLING Helping young people deal with change
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News | Issues
The shape of
education
to come
By David Shearer
A few years ago, I was leading a team of people in West Africa in support of the United Nations.
Success will not come from increasing competition among teachers through performance pay based on a narrow range of student performance measures. High quality teaching more easily comes out of a collaborative environment.
Around a meal one day the topic of what school we attended came up. As we went around the table, it turned out that all my team had been to elite schools from around the world: Eton, Harrow, exclusive schools in the US.
Neither is the agenda to establish charter schools about success in education - it’s about taking resources away from public schools for private profit-making businesses. Charter schools won’t have to employ registered teachers, won’t have to teach to our world leading curriculum, and won’t be subject to the same accountability measures as public schools. How is that a step forward?
When it was my turn, I replied “Papatoetoe High School”. When they asked about it, I told them “it’s a state school in South Auckland and it gave me a great education”. I sat back, pretty clearly the odd one out. But I realised the teachers I’d had and the school I attended had not only got me there, but rather satisfyingly, I was their boss. New Zealand has one of the best education systems in the world and our curriculum is widely recognised for its competency-based approach and the flexibility it provides. On international comparisons, we sit consistently in the top 10 in reading, maths and science - well ahead of the US, UK and Australia. I began my working life as a teacher. My father was a school principal, my mother a teacher aid. I feel really proud of our education system and I know Chris Hipkins, Labour’s education spokesperson, feels the same way. Yet listening to the current government speaking about education you’d be mistaken for thinking our whole system has failed. Rather than starting from the presumption that there is something inherently wrong about education, Labour believes our challenge is to take a very good system and make it better. Chris noted in a recent speech that our first focus is to rebuild trust and define what success looks like. Success in education is about making sure every child achieves their full potential. Success means every school is a great school. Success means we value great teachers. And success means we recognise and celebrate diversity and difference.
Under Labour we will work collaboratively with the education community to replace National Standards with a system that is meaningful, broad and will work. Most importantly, it should give parents a clear indication of how their child is progressing and what is being done to address any shortcomings. I don’t want to see a national league table like those that have failed elsewhere. Given our success and the expertise we hold in New Zealand, I can’t understand why the current government wants to change our education system. They seek inspiration and ideas from countries that fall well below us educationally. As a country, we have always set our own goals in education. Marie Clay who founded Reading Recovery now used across the globe - and others have been bold and confident. Their confidence has built an education system to which other countries aspire. Labour believes every school can be a great school, every child should get a quality education and every teacher should be well-trained, valued and free to inspire. New Zealanders know that a great education is their best shot at a good and full life. We need to replace the disillusionment that I strike too frequently in schools I visit with that confidence and inspiration. David Shearer is the MP for Mt Albert and leader of the Labour Party
6 | Term 2, 2013 www.principalstoday.co.nz
Bringing learning All New Zealand schools are being offered a free seminar showcasing how they can get more out of the software most used every day in their classrooms. Microsoft has been researching the way educators around the world are making effective use of technology. This research has been distilled into a practical two-hour seminar, Windows in the Classroom, currently being presented free of charge around the country. Windows in the Classroom provides a hands-on demonstration of how IT can enhance the education experience – both in the classroom and beyond. The seminars aim to inspire educators to take a fresh look at technology by enhancing their use of familiar software, including Windows and Office, to transform the way they teach and the way students learn. One of the seminar facilitators, John Phelps is a registered teacher and professional development manager for New Era IT, a leading provider of technology to the education sector. “The Windows in the Classroom seminar helps teachers and school leaders explore tools and technologies that energise and engage students,” he says. “We demonstrate real world examples of how software and devices are unleashing 21st century learning and how technology can be used to improve student outcomes and achievement. The seminar explains how to use simple communication tools to share ideas, brainstorm and collaborate from anywhere, not just in the classroom. “With these tools, self reflection, student feedback and assessment become much more powerful and students can organise their learning in highly interactive ways. From taking notes and gathering resources to the final presentation of their learning, students become highly efficient and creative in the way they study, using invaluable skills they will carry with them into their futures,” John says.
to life Microsoft New Zealand education manager, Evan Blackman says research shows a strong connection between education and economic growth. “Our role involves more than just supplying technology solutions. Delivering the Windows in the Classroom seminars to as many educators as possible is part of Microsoft’s commitment to providing relevant training resources to teachers. The seminars have already provided inspiration – plus a greater understanding of the potential to get the most out of technology – to teachers and leaders at a range of schools up and down the country. Staff at Auckland’s Baradene College attended a Windows in the Classroom presentation. Baradene’s deputy principal Theresa Bosch says the seminar gave new staff an opportunity to get up to speed with some of the technology the school was already using. However, even long serving staff with experience of the schools systems were able to pick up new skills and tips. John Phelps says no matter where a school is at in terms of its current IT set-up, participating in a Windows in the Classroom seminar offers staff a valuable opportunity to be exposed to new ways to bring learning to life through a range of technology scenarios. “Technology is an invaluable tool to support innovative teaching and learning. Our aim is to inspire educators to make the most of its potential,” he says. “When schools spend money on IT they have to feel confident they are making a worthwhile investment that will deliver a more powerful and engaging learning experiences.” For more information email nzeducation@microsoft.com, or visit www.microsoft.co.nz/ windowsintheclassroom
News | Issues
the rising price of learning New Zealand has been ranked as having one of the top education systems in the world. Which would be a great thing, if we all had access to it.
According to the Statistics New Zealand Consumer Price Index inflation figures, the cost of tertiary education rose four times as fast and the CPI for other goods and services. While CPI for the year to March rose 0.9 percent, the cost of tertiary education rose 3.8 percent.
“We believe that all people have a right as citizens to an education. Education gives the power to change people’s lives and the opportunities a community needs to thrive. It improves health, democracy, culture, and equality in our communities. “So it’s not fair when hundreds of thousands of our students and future students are burdened with huge debts, or worse, miss the opportunity to learn because of the threat of debts they cannot afford,” she says.
Prices for the housing and household utilities group rose 0.6 percent, reflecting higher prices for rentals for housing, purchase of newly built houses, and property maintenance services.
Recreation and culture prices fell 1.6 percent, reflecting seasonally lower prices for package holidays.
From the March 2012 quarter to the March 2013 quarter the CPI increased 0.9 percent.
The CPI measures the rate of price change of goods and services purchased by New Zealand households. Statistics NZ visits 3,000 shops around New Zealand to collect prices for the CPI and check product sizes and features.
The TEU is organising marches and rallies to oppose student debt on August 14 of this year.
According to the Tertiary Education Union (TEU) president, Lesley Francey the growing cost of tertiary education risks excluding students from the opportunity to learn. “Students need to borrow more and take on more debt to learn, and for some that is simply not viable.”
Perhaps we need to take heed of Forbes contributor Steve Odland’s advice, that people need to “wake up and begin to demand fiscal accountability from institutions of higher learning so that future generations have the ability to access higher education.”
It is not just tertiary education where the cost is becoming more prohibitive – early childhood education (2.5 percent), primary and secondary (4.7 percent) and other education (4.9 percent) are all also rising in cost much faster than CPI.
CPI March 2013 quarter figures at a glance
“In every instance this is because the government is choosing to treat public education as a cost it needs to pay, rather than an investment in New Zealanders,” Lesley says.
The main upward contribution came from the alcoholic beverages and tobacco group (up 4.4 percent), reflecting an increase in the excise duty for cigarettes and tobacco.
In the March 2013 quarter compared with the December 2012 quarter: The consumers price index (CPI) rose 0.4 percent.
By Melinda Collins
www.principalstoday.co.nz Term 2, 2013 | 7
News | Trends
A public school with
private help By Melinda Collins
Bairds Mainfreight School maintains a philosophy geared towards developing citizens who will “build a world of the future secure in the knowledge that anything is possible,” according to the school’s website.
8 | Term 2, 2013 www.principalstoday.co.nz
But 20 years ago “anything” was just not possible for the decile 1 South Auckland school. However, funding shortfalls are now a thing of the past as the school celebrates 20 years of a private-public partnership which represents how big business and the community can work together to achieve mutually beneficial results.
How Bairds Mainfreight got its name A name at the early end of the alphabet marked the beginning of an auspicious association between Bairds School and global supply chain business Mainfreight.
Carol Selwyn, the PA for Mainfreight founder Bruce Plested, was looking for a nearby school which might appreciate some spare softball equipment. Bairds Primary was both nearby and an early alphabetical entry in the phone book and this “happy accident” made them the lucky recipient. While the company actually chose to keep the softball gear, it sent a $1000 cheque instead that was used to buy sports uniforms. The reception from the thankful students marked the beginning of a relationship which has spanned two decades.
News | Trends
The public-private partnership has gone from strength to strength in the intervening years and more than $750,000 of support has seen ICT hardware and support, uniforms and sports equipment, books through the Duffy Books in Homes programme and even a fleet of soap box derby racers benefit the school and its pupils. It hasn’t all been one-way traffic though and in 1997 the school recognised the freighting company’s contributions with a name change when it became Bairds Mainfreight Primary School. “Our firm belief is that education is the enemy of poverty,” Bruce explains. “We want to show that New Zealand businesses can work with schools to provide opportunities that their children might not otherwise have. Our contribution to the school has been more than outweighed by the school’s generosity in kind and spirit – they continually uplift Mainfreight and our team.”
Benefits for both The implications go well beyond the financial, Bairds Mainfreight principal Alan Lyth explains. “It’s been huge for the school in many different ways and not necessarily just the financial aspect. The relationship is more of a friendship than direct sponsorship.” The school is not accountable to Mainfreight and the company donates
money on a project by project basis. The school puts together a proposal for a project and by negotiation, Mainfreight and Bairds will work together to make it a reality. A recent example was getting interactive smartboards into the classrooms. The school proposed to do two classrooms a year. Mainfreight offered to provide the smartboards and projectors, if the school paid for the cabling and infrastructure. “Instead of taking three to four years, we had smartboards in all the classrooms the following year.” When it came to updating the computer suites; same deal. While the school paid for the screens and mice, Mainfreight footed the bill for the main costs of the CPUs. Bruce Plested, now known affectionately as Uncle Bruce to the Otara school’s students, has also hosted up to 170 pupils and teachers at his Waiheke Island home every year for some 12 years now, Alan says. “We are a decile 1 South Auckland school. Many of our families are struggling financially; they don’t get to go on trips and holidays. The use of technology allows them to be exposed to the outside world - a world they wouldn’t get access to otherwise. “Our students now get opportunities that are the same as any other school in New Zealand.”
Pretty impressive stuff, but according to Mainfreight it’s a mutually beneficial relationship. When the company hosted internationally renowned paediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson last year, it arranged a kapa haka group from Bairds School to meet him at the airport. “They say they benefit from the relationship and that they feel good by helping us,” Alan says. “But I’m sure we get far more benefits out of what they do,” he laughs. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the partnership, Mainfreight announced it would extend its support beyond the classroom by offering assistance to ex-pupils. At any given time a pool of up to $27,000 in tertiary scholarships will be available to former pupils of the school. Up to $12,500 will be available to high school students who attended the school to ease the burden of school fees, uniforms and excursions. “We believe the partnership has enabled us to have a really positive effect on our pupils during the early years of their education,” Alan says. “When they come to leave us they’re faced with new environments which may not give them the same opportunities. These scholarships will help us keep in touch with, and continue supporting our pupils, long after they’re gone.”
While Mainfreight’s total assistance has been estimated at more than $750,000, Alan says this figure is at the bottom end and suspects a more accurate figure would be more than one million.
A model for more? While Alan says the primary school wouldn’t have access to the opportunities it can now afford its students without the two decade long private sector sponsorship and agrees it is an imitable model - he has no desire to become a charter school. “It can and has worked at other schools. Mainfreight sponsors some 50 other schools now and is one of the founding sponsors of Duffy Books in Homes. The intention for them was always for other companies to copy what they were doing and they are disappointed that more haven’t done so. “We have the best of both worlds. We are beholden to the Ministry of Education, but we get great support from the private sector.” However in terms of being a model for school funding, he believes commercial interests could potentially compromise our education system. “It’s good when people can develop relationship providing above and beyond the nuts and bolts of what the government provides. But the overall school funding should remain the responsibility of the taxpayer.”
www.principalstoday.co.nz Term 2, 2013 | 9
News | Super Students
natasha boon By Davina Richards
There’s no surprise a big smile is permanently stuck on Natasha Boon’s face right now. At just 13 years young, Natasha, from Rangiora, is excelling in both gymnastics and dancing. Her passion and commitment earned her a Gold Heart Scholarship 2010-2012 provided by children’s charity Variety – and she was one of about 20 children to be chosen for the scholarship each year. These scholarships provide young people, who already excel in the arts, sports or education, with financial support of up to $5,000 and match them with a mentor to help them achieve their life goals. Through her scholarship, Natasha attends the New Zealand School of Dance for specialist training in contemporary dance and has been mentored by acclaimed dancer Nerida Cortese. She trains extremely hard – 27 hours per week to be the best she can possibly be and it’s fair to say that it’s most definitely paying off. “Being a Gold Heart Scholarship recipient has meant the world to me. It has enabled me to help turn my dreams and goals for the future into a reality. Always remember - never give up on your dreams. With hard work, passion, love of what you do and support from people who care anything is possible,” Natasha says. Natasha adds that she is very grateful for all the support and guidance from mentor Nerida Cortese and to Variety, who have made this all possible through the Gold Heart Scholarship. NZ Gymnastics selected Natasha to be a member of the National 2016
Olympic Games Talent Squad and she has also been selected as a finalist in the Toyota scholarship. She is currently fundraising for a trip to America in July, where she will stay for three weeks to showcase her talent in elite dance competitions. Natasha understands complex gymnastics skills and techniques and has acquired a heap of achievements every parent would be proud of. It would just be plain rude not to mention the awards she has won when she has worked so hard. She won three gold awards at the 2012 Showcase Australian National Dance Championship finals, gained three gold and two silver awards at the Canterbury Gymnastic Championships and three gold awards at the Showcase Australia regional championships. If that isn’t enough… here’s another one… Platinum Gold for her two solos in Broadway Jazz and Lyrical at the 2011 Showcase Australian National Dance Championship. Natasha has sheer passion and utter motivation for what she does and is an inspiration to others. Her unsurpassed achievements, determination and ability means there’s just no stopping this extraordinary girl who is getting closer and closer to fulfilling her dream to be a world class dancer.
10 | Term 2, 2013 www.principalstoday.co.nz
SUPER STUDENT
News | Child Safety
Keeping
kids safe
By Kate Canton
Kidpower gives the skills to enable us to be safe with the people we know and the ones we don’t. These ‘people safety’ skills are essential for forming healthy relationships and dealing with difficult situations - from every day problems to one off emergencies. Kidpower has the tools, techniques and positive strategies to enable people of all ages and abilities to learn to act safely and use their voice to advocate for themselves and others. As a newcomer to Kidpower I found myself embraced by the uplifting spirit of the team. The staff and volunteers at Kidpower work hard to achieve their ambition of sharing people safety skills with every person in New Zealand. Kidpower offers programmes for preschoolers, primary children, teenagers and adults and a programme designed for people with cognitive disabilities called Healthy Relationships. Instructors travel round the country delivering interactive workshops to school and community groups. Independent research shows that following a Kidpower workshop, children are more confident and form better relationships with their peers.
The skills are useful in many situations and there are hundreds of reports of individuals taking these practical skills with them into adulthood. A good example of how Kidpower can help in schools is in upskilling kids to deal better with bullying. I started work at Kidpower after having the instructors in my classroom at Salisbury School (a Nelson residential school, for girls struggling with mainstream schooling). I was really impressed by the techniques that were used and the achievements of my students following the workshops. I would not have believed it if I hadn’t seen it for myself. These very special girls developed from session to session, increasing their skills and taking on board what was asked of them. The progression and level of skill was challenging but pitched well. I appreciated Rona, the senior instructor, praising the girls for participating even when they were nervous or shy, and telling them how strong they can be.
The girls expressed feeling safer and their new skills greatly improved their playground relationships. I completed the thorough instructor training course so I could deliver the primary school programme myself. Booklets and pictures, discussions and other safety courses are a great start for schools. However, the NZ Police Youth Education Service recommends Kidpower workshops because they develop these concepts further and include role-play practice with trained instructors or teachers. Kidpower concentrates on what you can do. Children practice effective and positive actions to take when their safety is in question. This helps them to set positive boundaries, get help, and take charge in effective ways. Practising makes perfect, makes you believe in your ability, and makes you much more likely to remember the skills when you need them.
Through Steel Shed Systems 3D software, we can build a solid design to bring your project to life. This generates a replica which enables the school to see a working model, of its desired building, on its site, exactly as it will be built. You can see how it will fit into the existing grounds and any linkages that will be required. We include a full budget and quote; no surprises for anyone.
Please refer back to the December issue of Principals Today for a company profile.
Freephone: 0800 800 750, Mobile: 021 426 851 Email: mikeT@steelshedsystems.co.nz
Website for your local company, www.SteelShedSystems.co.nz
12 | Term 2, 2013 www.principalstoday.co.nz
Kidpower has been running in NZ since 1993 and has served more than 32,000 people. It is a charitable trust and part of an international not for profit organisation www.kidpower.org. Kidpower is committed to creating communities where people have the skills and knowledge needed to live a life free from fear; communities where people recognise abuse and bullying are wrong and are prepared to speak out to create a positive future; schools and workplaces where strategies are in place to recognise bullying and replace it with positive behaviour. Kidpower wants young people to move forward in to the adult world prepared for the challenges ahead and able to meet them head on because they have been given the skills they need to deal with difficult situations. Kidpower speaks up for the most vulnerable in society including those with cognitive disabilities.
Kidpower volunteers work in all communities to ensure their work is directed where it is needed most. It works collaboratively with other organisations to ensure violence and aggression is replaced with other methods of conflict resolution.
Steel Shed Systems will guide you through every step of the building process. Our approach of working in close collaboration with our clients means you’ll get the building that you’ve envisioned.
No obligation appraisal
About Kidpower
Kidpower also believes access to services should not be limited by personal wealth. No one is turned away through an inability to pay.
Our experience and knowledge guides our selection of products and materials of the finest quality and finish for your building, and our engineering and design team pay close attention to the little details of every project we embark on - this way we ensure you receive a high-quality, custom-made and -engineered product.
Let’s Talk, We Listen
Twenty years of Kidpower workshops in NZ schools and communities has empowered many children and Kidpower is devoted to increasing that number.
The perfect option for your child’s development, a delight for young learners. Contact 021 663 611 or order online today at: www.smartplaypuzzles.co.nz Like us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/PuzzlesAndPlay
In 2011 98.7 percent of adult learners reported that the programme had made them feel more confident and able to speak up and take charge. Ninety nine percent of learners reported feeling more in control and 98.9 percent reported having increased ability to communicate, to learn, to take charge and to achieve. For more information about Kidpower or Teenpower sessions contact newzealand@kidpower.org.nz or call 0800 KIDPOWER
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News | Health and Wellbeing
Making
HEALTHY CHOICES
Healthier food choices in New Zealand schools might now be even easier with the launch of nutrient guidelines for nonpackaged foods. School lunch provider ezlunch has teamed up with the Heart Foundation’s fuelled4life in a new food scheme to help raise awareness of which foods New Zealand children should be consuming on a regular basis. Fuelled4life manager, Sally Hughes says it is an important step towards creating healthier learners, as many schools use online lunch programmes or local food suppliers to provide meals for students and, as a consequence, have a large impact on child health and nutrition.
“It’s often challenging for busy canteens and caterers to get the right balance of taste and nutrition while still being affordable. We’ve launched the new guidelines to support school canteens and other local food suppliers in making foods they prepare healthier,” she says. Fuelled4life launched its classification system for packaged food products last year and is now used in 2,617 schools and early childhood education centres. “Fuelled4life was created to inspire schools and early childhood education services to provide tasty, nutritious food and to encourage the food industry to produce and supply healthier foods and beverages that appeal to young people,” Sally says. New Zealand children spend a quarter of their waking lives in school and consume an average of 32 percent of their daily energy intake in school.
Working on a simple rating system, fuelled4life classifies the foods children commonly consume as ‘everyday’ or ‘sometimes’ food according to their nutrient profile. For example bottled plain water is classified as everyday and fruit juice is recommended as a sometimes beverage. Participating food companies have to submit their products to the Heart Foundation analysis and, if approved, foods are then classified in one of the two categories. Ezlunch owner Sandra Finlay says fuelled4life is a good fit with her
company’s founding principle of helping time-pressured families give their children healthy school lunches. “We have never believed that convenience and healthy food are mutually exclusive. Our online ordering system and network of local café suppliers means that we can deliver freshly prepared food into schools that kids love and thrive on.” Ezlunch currently works with 36 schools across Auckland and the Waikato and is focused on expanding nationwide as they form relationships with like-minded caterers across the country.
Delivering
a sense of direction
We all know how important self confidence is, not just as a primary driver behind achievement, but arguably as a basic survival tool in today’s world. But what about planning and goal setting? If self confidence is a by-product of achievement, then achievement is the result of reaching goals and any goal the offspring of planning. To help with this are the Career Education Benchmarks – Year 7 and 8, launched at Pukekohe Intermediate by Nikki Kaye, the Associate Minister of Education and Minister of Youth Affairs in early April. The benchmarks are a self review tool for intermediate and middle schools to use to critique and improve their career education programme. Minister Kaye noted that she received important guidance from her mother, her grandmother and teachers as she grew up, but the main message she got was that she could do anything, and that is the message all young people should be getting. She says the benchmarks “are a crucial tool to helping young people guide their wakas through their
14 | Term 2, 2013 www.principalstoday.co.nz
career choices and their lives,” and an “important milestone for our country”. One of the two year 8 students who spoke at the launch talked about the importance of decision making. “We are just beginning to make choices for ourselves. These are big decisions. I am thinking about whether I should study science at college and aim to go into medicine or to work towards a theatre or television career. What I do know is that I will need lots of help and guidance.” Caitlin Turner, a prefect at Pukekohe High School and former Pukekohe Intermediate pupil who spoke at the launch, said thanks to career education she had realised she had to “plan for her future rather than just working hard year by year to get good results”. Careers New Zealand chief executive, Dr Graeme Benny says the earlier we begin talking to kids about their aspirations for their lives and careers the better. “At 11 and 12 years old children are just developing an early sense of what a career is. Improvements in career education at intermediate level will help them explore ideas and gain a strong self-awareness – equipping them well for the transition to secondary education.” For further information visit: www.careers.govt.nz/educatorspractitioners/planning/careereducation-benchmarks/year-7and-8-benchmarks/
RR News | Competitions
win a
WATER BUDDY
Liberate Your Words – the National Schools Poetry Award is on again The search is on for the best and most original poems from Aotearoa New Zealand’s young writers. The National Schools Poetry Award is on again and Year 12 and 13 secondary school students are urged to liberate their words. The winner will receive $500 cash for themselves and a $500 book grant for their school library. Nine shortlisted poets also receive $100 cash, and all finalists (subject to confirmation of funding) will be invited to an exclusive one day masterclass with leading New Zealand poets at Victoria University’s International Institute of Modern Letters. They will also take home a package of literary subscriptions, books and book tokens. The entry deadline is July 5, 2013. Entry forms, guidelines, and writing tips for the Poetry Award are online at www.schoolspoetryaward.co.nz. The judge for the 2013 award is Anna Jackson. Anna, the Wellington-based, Auckland-born poet bought an electric typewriter in her twenties and began writing poetry which she published in small magazines put together with groups of friends, before a selection of these poems was published in AUP New Poets 1 (1999). She has since published five critically acclaimed poetry collections with Auckland University Press. Her most recent book Thicket (2011) was named as one of the NZ Listener’s Top 100 Books of that year and was a finalist in the 2012 NZ Post Book Awards. Anna has a Doctorate of Philosophy from the University of Oxford. She teaches in the English Department at Victoria University of Wellington and is also the author of Diary Poetics: Form and Style in Writers’ Diaries 1915–1962 and, with Charles Ferrall, Juvenile Literature and British Society, 1850-1950: The Age of Adolescence. She is a co-editor of The Gothic in Children’s Literature: Haunting the Borders and Floating Worlds: Essays on Contemporary New Zealand Fiction.
Be in to WIN this Water Buddies goodie box... Simply email verne@academy.net.nz before Friday, June 28, write ‘Water Buddies’ in the subject line and go in the draw to win the goodie box.
About Water Buddies Water Buddies is the brainchild of the Leonard-Clifford family from Takapuna who came up with the concept after exhausting the options for getting their own children to drink water.
with a cute joke or fact with each delicious flavour. Health and education are important to the Water Buddies. Obesity has now overtaken tobacco as the leading cause of death in Australasia. The Auckland District Health Board recently reported up to 70 percent of Year 9 students in its region to be overweight or obese, with childhood diabetes increasing five fold since the late 1990s.
Prizes include membership of the New Zealand Book Council and the New Zealand Society of Authors, a copy of The Exercise Book, and the literary journals Sport and Landfall, and a $50 Booksellers Token. Flights and accommodation at the Bolton Hotel are included in the prize package for masterclass attendees living outside the Greater Wellington. The winner and shortlisted poets will be announced on National Poetry Day, 16 August, and the masterclass runs on August 31. The National Schools Poetry Award is organised by New Zealand’s oldest and most prestigious creative writing programme, the International Institute of Modern Letters at Victoria University. “The Poetry Award is a significant creative opportunity offered to every senior secondary student in New Zealand. It provides a focus and incentive for creative writing, both inside and outside the classroom. We want to encourage the writers of the future to find their voices,” says the director of the International Institute of Modern Letters, Damien Wilkins. An information pack was sent to all New Zealand secondary schools in March.
For further information, contact Katie Hardwick-Smith or Clare Moleta at modernletters@vuw.ac.nz or phone (04) 463 6854.
Water Buddies is pure New Zealand spring water with a splash of natural flavour in a colourful, interactive bottle cleverly created to make water fun for kids. It boasts a no junk promise, no artificial colours, flavours Water Buddies is making every effort or sweeteners and less than two to overcome this by enticing kids percent sugar. away from high sugary drinks and The Leonard-Clifford family has encouraging them to drink water worked with their three children and be more active. to create a range which fills a Water Buddies are available in New large trending gap within the World and Pak N Save across the health segment of the beverage country and in more than 1,000 market. Two of the Water Buddies convenience stores and independent are named after their four year old daughter Milla and eight year old son fuel outlets, with moves to make them available at Countdown, Z and Carter, who have been turned into characters that appear on the bottles BP stations also. along with three other For more information, or to join more cool characters. than 3,000 kids who have signed up to the Water Buddies Club for The Water Buddies are a group of exclusive access to goodies, games, friends from The Blue Spring, the information and competitions, source of the New Zealand spring simply visit water. There is a Water Buddy character and introduction along www.drinkwaterbuddies.com
www.principalstoday.co.nz Term 2, 2013 | 15
WIN!
The Super Safety cyclist rhyme — “Make sure your brakes work every time Your safety helmet wear each day And lock your bike — so it can’t stray.”
Supply your own artwork and you automatically enter our Nationwide Cover Artwork Competition!
For more than 35 years Academy School Books has been teaching New Zealand school children Safety Awareness by providing FREE* Exercise Books, FREE Wallplanners and Personalised Covers!
Your school could win a Laptop and the artist an Apple iPad! Each school that provides their own artwork will receive a certificate and a prize for the artist. 2012 WINNER
Waitaria Bay School student Brydie was the Winner of the 2011 Competition!
Walla ce
town
*Conditions Apply.
Oroua Downs School student Chante was the Winner of the 2012 Competition!
2011 WINNER
Email Julianne Eady for more info: julianne@academy.net.nz www.academyschoolbooks.co.nz
News | Nutrition
5 + A day
launches new primary school teaching resource
Five+ A Day has launched a new teaching resource for primary schools focusing on sustainability, environmental awareness and the importance of eating well. The resource, ‘Growing and Learning with 5+ A Day’, is designed to help educators bring to life the concepts of sustainability and teach students how to develop habits and behaviours for a more sustainable and healthy future. It does this with clearly structured lessons on how to compost and why it’s beneficial, creating manageable herb and salad gardens and investigating the importance of eating fresh fruit and vegetables everyday to sustain a healthy lifestyle. Each lesson has student resource sheets that can be photocopied and
there are various home learning tasks to reinforce the healthy eating concepts at home. The ideas and key learning points align with the Food and Nutrition for Healthy Confident Kids guidelines and the important learning areas of health, physical education and science within the New Zealand Curriculum. There are also specific references to the key competencies and interdependent concepts. The new resource was developed after 5+ A Day asked educators what they wanted the material to focus on. “Teachers wanted strong links to the curriculum, online resources as well as more practical and user-friendly material. The feedback we received from teachers is they wanted to be able to open the resource booklet and run with it,” 5+ A Day general manager Paula Dudley says. “We believe we have achieved this through sustainability focused ideas providing many opportunities for students to become connected and
actively involved with learning about 5+ A Day.” One school that will be using the resource is Meadowbank School in Auckland. Five+ A Day’s mascot, Fredge, visited the school recently to launch the ‘Growing and Learning with 5+ A Day’ resource with associate principal Rochelle Manning saying it will support what teachers are doing in class. The ‘Growing and Learning with 5+ A Day’ resource is available for free by registering on the 5+ A Day website. Each school that registers will automatically be eligible to enter
this year’s 5+ A Day competition. Competition details will be sent out during term two and to register, go to www.5aday.co.nz. About 5+ A Day The 5+ A Day Charitable Trust was formed in 2007 with New Zealand’s children as its beneficiaries. It encourages all Kiwis to eat five or more servings of fresh fruit and vegetables every day for good health through education and information sharing. A serving is about a handful, children have smaller hands than adults so their serving will be smaller.
The Faculty of Education at the University of Waikato strives to produce the highest quality graduates, undertake research that makes a difference and implement high quality professional learning and development. We set trends in research and teaching and continue to influence education policy and developments nationally and internationally.
POSTGRADUATE STUDY This year a 180-point Masters programme was introduced to support the pathway for educators interested in making a contribution to their profession through higher learning. Instead of taking two years to complete a Masters it is now possible to complete the programme in one, or one and a half, years. If you are a professional educator choose a programme of study that is focused to your future career. For example, you may wish to focus on leadership in curriculum, pedagogy, or to develop other professional expertise, for example in professional learning. If you see your future in tertiary teaching and/or research, you should plan to go on to an EdD or PhD programme. For a full-list of our focused programmes visit the Faculty of Education’s website or talk to our postgraduate advisers. People who completed a Postgraduate Diploma or Honours qualification in the Faculty of Education within the last year have until the end of 2013 to apply to transfer their credit to the new Masters.
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING The newly established Institute of Professional Learning offers high quality, researchinformed programmes that contribute to improved professional practice in early childhood centres, kura, schools and tertiary institutions nationally and internationally. The Faculty of Education sees the establishment of this Institute as an indication of its commitment to the on-going education of teachers throughout their professional careers and the importance it places on both professional learning ‘content’ and the ‘practice’ or pedagogy of professional development.
RESEARCH We have a reputation for high quality, innovative research in a diverse range of educational contexts. Our educational researchers are involved in national and international collaborative projects and publish widely. Supporting these research activities are our research centres and the Wilf Malcolm Institute of Educational Research (WMIER). WMIER undertakes, supports and disseminates research relating to the broad field of education. Our centres conduct research in areas such as the Early Years, Global Studies in Education and Technology, Environmental, Mathematics and Science Education.
GO FURTHER. POSTGRADUATE STUDIES IN EDUCATION. Postgraduate study at the University of Waikato, Faculty of Education opens your eyes to new ways of looking and thinking about people and the world. Explore your area of interest and enhance your practice through a 180-point Masters or a doctoral degree. Bold Ideas. Smart People. Unlimited Ambition. Whakaaro Pūkenga. Hinengaro Koi. Pitomata Mutunga Kore.
CONTACT US Whether you are a prospective student or researcher – we welcome you to join us on this journey.
0800 83 22 42 I www.waikato.ac.nz /education www.principalstoday.co.nz Term 2, 2013 | 17
News | Cover Story
man on a
mission
The nine times Coast to Coast winner is also a professional engineer (BE mech) and spends part of his time designing innovative equipment, part of his time in the wilderness and part of his time organising his enterprises. Between this he manages to fit in public speaking, personal training and coaching. Steve Gurney talks to Melinda Collins about thinking big, taking risks and defying death.
What does it take to think big and achieve big? One of the reasons people fail to achieve their goals is they don’t align those goals with their values or mission in life. The more strongly a goal is connected to what really matters in life, the more likely we are to achieve. For many people on my workshops, the concept of ‘mission in life’ can be a bit overwhelming at first, so we start off exploring it with an interesting bit of research.
Researchers have interviewed patients who have technically died and been revived, for example with CPR, or during surgery. One frequently common denominator from the feedback is that these patients came back to life with a very strong sense that they hadn’t completed their mission in life. They felt a real purpose on this planet for the greater good of humanity. So it’s a great conversation starter to introduce this research to my students and ask them ‘if this was you, what would bring you back? What would inspire you to keep living?’ So here I’m talking about being naturally and powerfully motivated toward goals. In reality, there will often be a lot of what some people would call “hard work”, but the all-important difference is that that’s not a problem at all when goals are powerfully aligned with values, mission and passion. When I was a young athlete I used to hate some of my tough interval hill sessions. My mentors Grahame and Doreen Felton reversed my thinking with this simple challenge to my goals: “Steve, you don’t have to do your training at all, you can just take the day off and go watch TV. Instead, you could choose to do your training because it needs to be done to achieve your goals.”
Has there ever been a time when you could have easily given up? In 1995 I contracted leptospirosis at an adventure race, after a gruelling week long team race. We won, but I got very ill after the race. I ended up in intensive care in a coma; my kidneys had failed, my lungs had failed and my circulation system had collapsed.
18 | Term 2, 2013 www.principalstoday.co.nz
the challenge, the greater the reward.” You’ll notice this trait of achieving against the odds in a lot of other success stories, people with so-called ‘disabilities’ achieving above others. In every crisis there lies an opportunity.
Machines were the only thing keeping me alive. I had a $92,000 hospital bill, the doctors said I shouldn’t go back to sport. Things were looking really bleak. I felt like totally giving up being an athlete. I even felt like giving up on life. But as I was recovering in hospital I got a lot of ‘get well’ cards. One card contained a desiderata written by a lady on her deathbed. In it she described how she had lived a great life and seen a great deal however, if she had her life again, she would play it differently; take more risks, spend more time with those she loved. As I was reading this I was overcome by a great sadness that this lady had taken to her deathbed some regrets. I didn’t want to do this! I wanted instead, to die with a massive smile, celebrating my achievements. I vowed there and then that despite the doubters and tall poppy choppers that were telling me I couldn’t, I would race at top level again. I love competition, being in the wilderness, keeping in touch with nature. It was my most important passion. This turned out to be a very important learning for me because I was very successful after this, more so than before leptospirosis. Before then I had attempted 10 Coast to Coast races and won two. Subsequently I won seven in a row. This was against the odds, and is summarised succinctly in another Grahame Felton quote: “The greater
“
In reality, there will often be a lot of what some people would call “hard work”, but the all-important difference is that that’s not a problem at all when goals are powerfully aligned with values, mission and passion.
“
He’s a classic Kiwi icon, the macho man of the wilderness who feels more at home in rugged bush than anywhere else. But just in case you weren’t aware, Steve Gurney is no ordinary bloke. He’s bold, brave and a little rough around the edges, but then we like them tough in our little corner of the South Pacific.
News | Cover Story
What is your philosophy on risk taking? I talk a lot about managing and learning from risk in my book Eating Dirt. Through Sport NZ I visit a lot of schools to talk about goal setting and I’ve noticed more and more that jungle gyms are being ripped out of playgrounds and trees are being chopped out of school yards. Children are being more restricted in their play by OSH regulations in attempt to protect them. However, in my opinion it is doing the exact opposite in the long term. I fell out of a lot of trees and jungle gyms as a kid and I learned a lot, that’s why I’m still alive now. I learned risk management. I think we need to allow people to develop their own sense of responsibility. We need to relax the regulations – over-regulation is a self-defeating system. This concept is summarised sweetly by a sponsor of mine for our world record Sahara crossing by kite, Peter Lynn Kites. Peter is world famous for his innovative thinking. With every new kite model he writes the usual instruction manual, along with the required (but predictably common sense) safety
recommendations, such as don’t fly your kite next to power lines, don’t fly your kite in thunderstorms, etc. In a stand against over-regulation, Peter has now replaced the screeds and screeds of safety pages with a simple warning: ‘Users beware: kite-flying is subject to Darwinism’. With a few too many crashes, mistakes and ensuing hospital visits, I too perhaps should have been eliminated by Darwinism and perhaps the human race could’ve breathed a collective sigh of relief that Gurney’s danger-seeking genes were eliminated from the human gene pool, thereby increasing the intelligence of the race. However, the important point is that I am still aiming to increase the intelligence of the human race by learning from my mistakes. The human race is getting too regulated; people aren’t learning to take personal responsibility. We need to allow people to make mistakes. Most people will have heard the quote ‘life truly begins at the edge of your comfort zone’. We need to be able to navigate by our own intelligence to the edge of our comfort zone without the intrusive “nannies” and over-regulation.
MAKING HEALTHIER FOOD CHOICES EASY DOES YOUR SCHOOL PROVIDE TASTY, NUTRITIOUS FOOD THAT CHILDREN WANT TO EAT? Fuelled4life is a free, practical tool giving schools a head start in providing healthier options.
They are listed in a Buyer’s Guide and also on www.fuelled4life.org.nz.
Based on the Ministry of Health’s Food and Beverage Classification System (FBCS), fuelled4life classifies foods and beverages according to their nutrient profile into two levels; everyday and sometimes.
For people involved in selecting foods and drinks for menus, fundraisers and special events, fuelled4life identifies the healthier options.
Food companies register products with fuelled4life that meet the nutrient criteria.
Sign up to fuelled4life and receive the Buyer’s Guide, newsletters with tips, recipes and resources and be eligible to attend workshops and expos.
How to be part of fuelled4life: Sign up online at www.fuelled4life.org.nz
For more information contact Sally Hughes Email. sallyh@heartfoundation.org.nz or phone (09) 526 8425
www.principalstoday.co.nz Term 2, 2013 | 19
TAKE A FRESH MONEY FOR FUNDRAISING PIXIFOTO ARE THE NO.1 FAMILY PORTRAIT SPECIALISTS IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND. We photograph everyone from Families to Babies and have been helping schools fundraise for over 10 years. PixiFoto appreciate how difficult it can be raising much needed funds for equipment or special projects. That is why we have designed a fundraising opportunity, which will benefit your school or organisation and provide local families with a gift that lasts a lifetime – portraits!
APPROACH AND RAISE YOUR SCHOOL, CLUB or COMMITTEE WITH PIXIFOTO! How Does It Work? PixiFoto will provide you with voucher booklets for your school to sell, offering families a discounted photography sitting for just $6. PLUS every family that purchases a voucher will receive a free 25cm x 33cm (10” x 13”) full colour portrait as our GIFT. Valued at $100! Photography then takes place at your local PixiFoto studio at a time and date that suits their needs. For every voucher sold your school will receive 100% of the proceeds. That means if you sell 60 vouchers you will receive $360! Plus as our thank you to your school for choosing PixiFoto fundraising we will give your school a beautifully presented gift box containing $280 in PixiFoto studio vouchers to give away at your next fundraising event. Also if your organisation sells 30 or more vouchers we will donate another beautiful gift box containing $480 in PixiFoto studio vouchers! This fundraising opportunity requires minimal effort from your organisation for maximum results.
BREAKING NEWS – The first 5 schools that book a PixiFoto fundraiser with us will also receive 50 FREE portrait vouchers RRP $110 for your school – Total Prize Value of $5,500! What an awesome thank you idea for hardworking teachers and students! For a fundraising information pack or if you would like to discuss other fundraising opportunities with PixiFoto please contact Sharmila Sukha on ssukha@photocorp.com.au | 0421 413932 | www.pixifoto.co.nz
News | Interview
Peg Lockyer, the Diocesan School’s new director of sport sums up her approach to life, sport and her latest role with a simple motto. “In my career I have always believed that I must ‘walk the talk’ to be an effective role model for students.” For the driven 47 year old former national canoeing champion, walking the talk means putting 100 percent effort into her work, her own sports and into her own continuing education, which has included completing an impressive two Masters degrees in three years. Peg, whose challenging new role includes overseeing more than 35 sports codes at Diocesan, is excited to be at the independent all-girls Auckland school. “I am working in a school with brilliant young women who have amazing potential. My job is to ensure they experience all that sport can offer them.” She says it is important they learn to become holistic athletes who know how to look after themselves – whatever their talents and abilities. Sport is a great environment to learn life skills such as teamwork, discipline and lifestyle balance. “But first and foremost sport is about having fun. It’s satisfying setting a goal and then achieving it. It also creates life long bonds and provides lots of opportunities to laugh with your friends.”
Her many achievements include being a semi-finalist for New Zealand in the Flat Water Canoeing World Championships in Paris in 1991, competing in Surf Life Saving National Championships between 1983 and 1992, being an Out Rigger Canoeing NZ Champion in the early ‘90s and playing for the Otago U21 Netball team in 1984. “As a young woman, sport made me who I am. And my early involvement in sport not only cemented health and wellness as part of my everyday life, but also taught me how to push my body to its limits.” After completing a Bachelor of Education Degree from Massey University and a Diploma in Teaching in 1992, she worked as an assistant Physical Education teacher and was Teacher in Charge of Health for three years at Glenfield College. During nine years at Western Springs College she became head of physical education and was also a house dean. While there she made the “strategic decision” to complete a Sport and Leisure Studies Post Graduate Diploma at Waikato University so she could eventually study for a Masters degree. She left Western Springs College when the opportunity arose to run an Athlete
walking the talk “
Development Programme for young elite sports people in at Unitec’s School of Sport for 18 months.
After missing the secondary school system, she took up a role at Onehunga High School for five years – first as deputy principal then as associate principal. While working fulltime, she completed a Masters in Education with First Class Honours, then took a year’s study leave to complete a Masters in legal studies, which included education law dissertations on privacy, human rights and restorative justice as well as a special topic on school discipline processes. An interim position for a term as acting head of sport at New Zealand’s largest school, Rangitoto College, followed before she worked for a year as a leadership and assessment facilitator at the University of Auckland’s Consortium of Professional Learning.
24 | Term 2, 2013 www.principalstoday.co.nz
As a young woman, sport made me who I am.
“When this job at Dio came up, I was ready for it,” Peg says, applying her attitude to sport to her professional life. “If you are going to do something, you do it properly. Talent is important but it’s no guarantee. Effort and determination can make all the difference.” She feels her current position perfectly combines her leadership, physical education and educational learning skills with her passion for sport. Her role includes guiding the strategic vision for Diocesan sports, overseeing
“
Sport has always been important to Peg who works out almost daily, windsurfs for fun and has made her latest goal learning to kite surf.
a fantastic group of sports managers and liaising with parents, students, teachers, coaches and community organisations.
“I believe that our principal, Mrs Heather McRae, is one of the best principals in the country. She’s a really skilled educator, is genuinely interested in everyone she comes in contact with and is a brilliant leader. “I’m looking forward to being around someone of that calibre and learning all I can from her.”
Always dry Always open Totally versatile Summerland School, Auckland
Before
TigerTurf continue to transform wet, unforgiving courts and muddy grass pitches into multi-use all weather facilities. From one court to full size hockey pitches, the school campus is enhanced. The kids love it, lifting participation and skills levels, cancellations disappear and maintenance is dramatically reduced. TigerTurf complete full turnkey projects – from an initial obligation free meeting at school, to a full build including fencing, and the manufacture and installation of our world famous TigerTurf surface. TigerTurf have ofďŹ ces in Christchurch and Auckland, and knowledgeable agents throughout New Zealand.
Call us today and transform your schools play areas. TigerTurf New Zealand Ltd Freephone 0800 804 134 NZinfo@tigerturf.com www.tigerturf.com
RR Tools
Environment & Recycling
understanding
place value
Units or ones; what are they? How can you show what the significance of the ones’ column really is? Use these activities in your classroom using Numicon shapes, which give a sensory feedback and meaning to all learners. Build the Numicon patterns with the ‘one’ shapes in the ones’ column.
Numicon is a programme from the UK which it has drawn praise from many quarters of education internationally. The programme is research and evidence based and thoroughly trialled before publishing. Children who have used the Numicon programme in the first years of their schooling are shown to continue with full maths into Years 11-13. Numicon is one of the leading programmes used for all children supporting inclusive education.
Options of purchasing this programme: •
A small bag of just one of each shape
•
Maths bag: A small selection of the equipment - great for intervention support
•
Special or other learning needs: Closing the Gap - a teaching programme with teaching guide and all the relevant equipment
•
New Entrants: Firm Foundations - a teaching programme with teaching guide and all the relevant equipment. An entry point to the programme for years 0-2
“It’s been a learning journey,” laughs Unpackit Awards organiser Sophie Ward, talking about the first Unpackit Cash4Schools competition last year.
•
Year One: Kit One - a teaching programme with teaching guide and all the relevant equipment
•
Year Two: Kit Two - a teaching programme with teaching guide and all the relevant equipment
•
Year Three: Kit Three - a teaching programme with teaching guide and all the relevant equipmentrecommended entry point to the programme for Year 3 and above
“We were saying that instead of spending money on advertising, wouldn’t it be great if we could use it to support schools and community groups? We all loved the idea of keeping dollars in the education and voluntary sectors, and so Unpackit Cash4Schools and Cash4Communities were born.”
To show why numbers are placed into the tens column, do this: Make a nine pattern, add an extra one. This shows that you have now created a ‘ten’ pattern, but it cannot remain in this position, it has to move to the ‘tens column’ and be called a ‘ten’, no longer ‘ten ones’. The significance of our number system based on 10 is an important learning step. The position of numbers is very important to their value. Without this value, all following learning activities will not be secure without this understanding. An extension of this activity is to make 19 and add an extra 1, creating 20 or two 10s.
Later, partitioning of numbers for extension into addition, subtraction, multiplication and division is so much easier to understand. While we’re there - subtraction is the ‘undoing’ of addition, division is the ‘undoing’ of multiplication.
unpackit cash4schools takes on bad packaging and litter
•
Year Four: Kit Four - publishing later this year
•
Gifted and Talented: Investigations with Numicon kit
Numicon Intervention Programme: Excellent for Senco’s RTLBs to use with groups of students working at Levels 1-2 of the NZ Curriculum. Numicon T 0800 678 581 or (09) 520 4022 E margi@numicon.co.nz www.numicon.co.nz
— Advertising Feature
How did a recycling centre wanting to stop packaging being thrown out end up running a $5,200 competition for schools and community groups?
But to back track a little, what are the Unpackit Awards? They were set up by Wanaka Wastebusters in 2010 with financial assistance from the Waste Minimisation Fund, to find the country’s best and worst packaging from an environmental point of view.
“We saw so much packaging destined for the rubbish bin that we just had to do something about it,” Sophie says. “The awards are chosen by public vote. People can actually do something about packaging that frustrates them and equally they can reward companies who are committed to sustainable packaging.” Sophie says there was a natural crossover between the Unpackit Awards and schools. “I would say at least one third of our Worst Packaging finalists in the last two years have been targeted at packed lunches, resulting in more litter and rubbish at schools. “Many schools are fighting back with packaging-free lunch initiatives, but that often involves having to educate time-poor parents. That’s where we can help, by providing resources to start community conversations about good and bad packaging.”
Unpackit Cash4Schools Prizes First prize - $1,500 Second prize - $750 Third prize - $350 How The winner is the school which gets the most support from Unpackit voters. Each voter can support one registered school or community group. Most votes are made online at www. unpackit.org When Voting for the Unpackit Awards and the Cash4Schools competition opens on July 19 and closes on November 8. Registration Schools can register anytime, go to www.unpackit.org or email email@ unpackit.org.nz Resources Unpackit can provide voting resources for classrooms, newsletter text and educational materials about packaging free lunches and the Unpackit Awards.
26 | Term 2, 2013 www.principalstoday.co.nz
ICT
Websites done the
SIMPLE WAY
Obviously, being able to access instant information has made the internet a bit of a hit. But with continually evolving software and higher spec hardware to run it, keeping up with the pace of change can seem a little daunting. But it doesn’t need to be if you get the right people to advise and help. Let’s say it’s been a few years since your website was given a facelift, then SchoolWeb may be the answer you’ve been looking for. The SchoolWeb Website Content Management System (CMS) is an easy and cost effective way for schools of all sizes to implement a website. The system allows schools to log in to a password protected system and maintain their website. Unlike other competing systems, SchoolWeb allows full control over creating and amending webpages, and it’s almost as straightforward as using Microsoft Word! You do not need any knowledge of HTML, web programming, or how to upload your site using complicated FTP software. You can update the site from wherever you have a web-browser and an Internet connection.
To begin with, your website is designed by a professional graphic designer, who goes to great lengths to ensure that the graphical design reflects the unique culture of the school. Then free training is provided to get you started and there are no expensive yearly licensing fees. Now of course you’ll want to update, improve and adapt your site as time goes on, so all the editing is done through the CMS system that’s easy enough for even the most technophobic classroom teachers and admin staff to use. As well as a general website media, SchoolWeb features ways for staff to collaborate, parents to participate, children to communicate and the whole community to share in the activities of schools in a safe way moderated by the schools. Newsletters, calendars, homework downloads, classroom projects with visitor and parent comments, forums, rosters, resource bookings, calendars, blogs and surveys are among the many abilities of the SchoolWeb system. The schools are in control and anything is possible. Another focus is the growing trend towards integrating content from external websites. Schoolweb allows content from Youtube, Teachertube, Slideshare, Twitter, Blogger, Google Apps and numerous other style sites to be easily embedded into the system. Schools can obtain more information from either www.schoolweb.co.nz or by calling 0800 48 48 43 — Advertising Feature
digital devices for students
...it’s time! By Graham Prentice
As part of the professional leadership in your school, many of you are just not sure how to treat this student tablet/ BYOD movement… so here is yet more advice to add to your “resources”. The fact is that kids in front of our teachers have changed. Their learning needs, what they learn and how they learn are all different from years past, but many of our teachers and professional leaders have not acknowledged that in either our current pedagogy or current practise. Learning with digital devices is happening every day, often at home… just not often enough in all of our classrooms. Effective teaching with digital devices is harder to find, but there are some exemplary teachers at all levels. It is time that every student in New Zealand is enabled with a digital device – to access the rich digital information available beyond every classroom and every home. The NZ Education and Science Select Committee report ‘Inquiry into 21st century learning environments and digital literacy: December 2012’ cites access to such devices as a baseline recommendation. Also recommended was consideration around bulk supply/purchasing of such devices for schools and families. Continual access to such devices is critical for digital learning/ teaching to be most effective. But this seems to create a brick wall for school communities. Orewa College took the state school lead a couple of years ago. Tired of its
BYOD model going nowhere beyond frustration for teachers, the school required its students to bring a device and nominated the item that their staff would be using. In Orewa College’s case the responsibility of supply was/is with the parents. In the case of a number of decile one schools, the schools have taken a “position” with respect to the purchase of the devices and made the kit available to their parents at less than $4 per week. If there is a genuine desire to address access issues, the cost can be worked out. The good news is that there has been significant progress made with the centralised bulk purchase negotiation of tablets (Apple iPads, Samsung tabs etc) via the All of Government (AoG) programme. Very recently, such tablets and pricing has been made available to those schools that have joined AoG, as well as the real after sales support, not seen with other arrangements - see www.business.govt.nz/procurement/ nzschools Beyond the price barrier, there are other factors that need addressing including bandwidth, network, wireless capability, content, data storage, volume apps licensing, security (data and physical) and professional development – without all bases covered, frustration and ineffective implementations will come. Thankfully, national professional consultancy in all this stuff is available – you do not need to reinvent the wheel, you may get a millstone… just ask. Graham Prentice MA(Hons) Dip Ed DipTchg Cyclone Computers AoG ICT Panel Member M 021 160 6570 E grahamp@cyclone.co.nz www.cyclone.co.nz — Advertising Feature
28 | Term 2, 2013 www.principalstoday.co.nz
Digital devices for students…
it’s time!
By Graham Prentice
As part of the professional leadership in your school, many of you are just not sure how to treat this student tablet/BYOD movement… so here is yet more advice to add to your “resources”. The fact is that students in front of our teachers have changed, their learning needs, what they learn and how they learn are all different, but many of our teachers and professional leaders have yet to embrace this in either their current pedagogy or current practises.
Orewa College took the state school lead a couple of years ago. Tired of its BYOD model going nowhere beyond frustration for teachers, the school required its students to bring a device to school and nominated a preferred option that both their staff and students would be using. In Orewa College’s case the responsibility of supply for students was/is with their parents or guardians. In the case of a number of decile one schools, the schools have taken a “position” with respect to the purchase of the devices and made the kit available to their parents at less than $4 per week. If there is a genuine desire to address access issues, the cost can be worked out. The good news is that there has been significant progress made with the centralised bulk purchase negotiation of tablets (Apple iPads, HP devices, Samsung tablets etc) via the All of Government (AoG) programme.
Learning with digital devices is happening every day, often at home… however effective teaching with digital devices is harder to find, but there are some exemplary teachers throughout New Zealand.
Very recently, such tablets and pricing has been made available to those schools that have joined AoG, as well as the real after sales support, not seen with other arrangements - see www.business.govt.nz/procurement/nzschools
It is time that every student in New Zealand is enabled with a digital device – to access the rich digital information available beyond every classroom and every home.
Beyond the price barrier, there are other factors that need addressing including bandwidth, network, wireless capability, content, data storage, volume apps licensing, security (data and physical) and professional development – without all bases covered, frustration and ineffective implementations will come.
The NZ Education and Science Select Committee report ‘Inquiry into 21st century learning environments and digital literacy: December 2012’ cites access to such devices as a baseline recommendation. Also recommended was consideration around bulk supply/purchasing of such devices for schools and families. Continual access to such devices is critical for digital learning/ teaching to be most effective. However finding a suitable procurement model often creates a brick wall for school communities.
Thankfully, national professional consultancy for all aspects of BYOD planning, implementation and procurement is available – you do not need to reinvent the wheel… just ask. Graham Prentice MA(Hons) Dip Ed DipTchg Cyclone Computers AoG ICT Panel Member E grahamp@cyclone.co.nz
Student Device Deployment... it’s time! We are here ready to help: ✓ Strategic planning - physical and pedagogical ✓ Network/wireless assistance ✓ Device options ✓ All of Government pricing! ✓ Applications - volume licensing
✓ Finance options ✓ Parent meetings ✓ Staff professional development ✓ On-line purchasing portal for parents ... just ask.
www.cyclone.co.nz
0800 686 686
Auckland | Wellington | Christchurch | Dunedin
Resources
whanganui UCOL gets closer to schools science students Advantaging your senior
Whanganui UCOL will be more accessible than ever to its future students due to the launch of a new webpage for school career advisors in early May. Schools’ Link went live at an official launch on May 8 at Whanganui UCOL. Used in conjunction with Moodle, the Schools’ Link page is designed to give careers advisors a direct link to ‘life at UCOL’ and ‘a taste of tertiary’ and information on the U-Skills and Youth Guarantee Schemes. Moodle is an internet based system for delivering e-Learning programmes for educational and training organisations. Its users range from universities, polytechnics, primary and high schools and hospitals. Moodle was introduced to UCOL’s three campuses in Palmerston North, Whanganui and Wairarapa in 2007. UCOL external relations co-ordinator Katarina Hina says Schools’ Link has been developed with UCOL’s STAR co-
ordinator Debbie Smith and E-Learning experts Kevin Brennan and Cheryl Tyler. In conjunction with the launch, Careers New Zealand’s advisor Katrina Mayo also discussed the concept of personal branding, marketing yourself online and tools and resources available for creating a 21st century CV. Schools’ Link is the first of its kind to bring a tertiary institution and careers advisors so closely together via Moodle. “We want more young people moving successfully from school into tertiary education. It’s about improving pathways and transitions,” Katarina says. Eight Whanganui schools have been involved in the launch of the new initiative which offers opportunities for professional development and direct contact with UCOL. Wanganui Collegiate School, Cullinane College, Wanganui Girls’ College, Wanganui City College, St Dominics College, The Correspondence School, Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Tupoho and Te Kura Maori o Kokohuia have registered their participation in Schools’ Link.
It is true that datalogging technologies can benefit science students. While new learning approaches can create more interest and deepen student understandings, the technology itself provides an edge in NCEA investigations. Ask senior students about discovering relationships through processing data. They find it laborious. Vernier’s LoggerPro software takes the pain away. It plots graphs from data entered manually or from a logger. Variables can then be easily manipulated to find the relationships required, including uncertainties. “This process gives a clear window into the Physics involved,” says Howard Lukefahr of Victoria University. Senior students claim that LoggerPro saves assessment time and allows them to focus on gathering better data and report outcomes. The software licence permits loading onto any number of school and student home computers. The use of dataloggers is only limited by imagination. Biology programmes can gather information across long periods, log discrete measurements along a transect or measure gas exchanges in photosynthesis within a 10 minute window. Titration curves warm the hearts of chemists. The spectrometer is a good fit for their new course requirements. It also links emission and absorption wavelengths to colour very clearly. While motion sensors in “Walk the Graph” activities are now commonly
used by teachers at all levels of science, the new video capture facility can tie movies to graphs and is a powerful tool in slowing and showing fast events. Research shows that interactive demonstrations deepen learning. They require students to commit individually and shape their understanding collegially before seeing the reality. This delivers powerful learning, and the ensuing discussions can be heated while erroneous ideas are confronted and corrected. Wellington Girls High School physics teacher Caroline Andrew, a new Vernier user, says the girls love using the Vernier gear. “It has opened up opportunities to analyse data quickly with better understandings. This has freed time for interesting investigative work. They had to design a crumple zone for a car that would kill its momentum in a crash with the least force; great fun and it produced deeper learning with graphical proof of achievements. This gear is awesome and has been a real boost for teaching and learning at WGHS.” What systems are available? •
Go Link - USB connected. Plug in one of 50 sensors and log on the free software.
•
Labquest - Hand held, portable logger with colour touch screen and five inbuilt sensors - connects wirelessly to iPAD, computers.
Our seminars expose teachers to the potential of this equipment and associated teaching strategies. Feedback from HODs indicates they are highly valued and have stimulated discussion about best practice in science education. Interested in a seminar in your school? Our contact details are on the advert below. — Advertising Feature
For ALL your Science & Technology needs: • Vernier products • Science equipment
General labware, Biological models, glassware, Charts, Physics gear, Chemicals,
• Technology products
Tools, Roland cutters, electronic kits, components, Picaxe kits & compatible products
We welcome enquiries. Get in touch soon!
• Professional Development in Electronics, Physics,
Datalogging
• Whiteboards
Contact:
(P) 03-34325225
30 | Term 2, 2013 www.principalstoday.co.nz
(E) Sales@electroflash.co.nz
(W) www.electroflash.co.nz
Resources
ADDRESSING the
‘underachieving tail’ By Joy Allcock
I believe there are three areas that need addressing if we are to lift the ‘underachieving tail’ of children’s early language development; how we teach literacy in the first two years and teachers’ knowledge of the English language. Children need a rich vocabulary and knowledge of the world around them if they are to become successful readers and writers. The foundation for this lies in children’s exposure to language in the early years when the networks for speech, language and literacy are being laid down. If children suffer from recurrent glue ear or are in situations where people rarely speak to them, they can be disadvantaged for the rest of their lives because of the impact these factors have on their language development. The gap that exists between children who come to school with rich language experiences, and those who do not, tends to get larger over time. What happens before children start school has enormous implications for their future success. However, it is possible to increase language experiences and vocabulary knowledge for all children in our classrooms. This should be a focus for instruction in every classroom, from early childhood to secondary. Research has shown that the way we introduce literacy skills and knowledge of the alphabetic code in the first two years has implications for reading success in later years. Many new entrant classrooms teach the alphabet as a starting place for learning to read and write - teaching a letter a week during the first year.
Children learn that words are made up of sounds, that letters are used on their own and in combinations to write sounds, that one sound can be written in different ways, that one letter or spelling pattern can be pronounced in different ways. This simple approach works for all children and has generated some remarkable shifts in literacy achievement. This brings me to the last area I believe needs addressing – the area of teacher knowledge. Not all teachers know enough about the English language to teach literacy well. Teachers’ knowledge of the linguistic structure of written English should be a compulsory part of teacher training and in some places it already is. Teachers are seriously disadvantaged if they lack knowledge of the way written English works and unfortunately their lack of knowledge also disadvantages their students. We can’t make up for the things children miss out on before the come to school, but we can ensure we don’t put any more roadblocks in their way as they acquire literacy skills. A focus on vocabulary development before and after school entry, a change in the way children are taught to understand the alphabetic code and an increase in teachers’ knowledge of written English will lead to increased achievement of literacy targets for all students.
Finance
an easy way TO upgrade
Get all of the ICT products you need now Leasing offers a great way for schools to keep old equipment out of the classroom and make sure students have access to the best possible digital technology that is essential for learning.
plan. Call 0800 Equico to discuss your requirements.
•
Foundation infrastructure – cable and switching
It’s a smart way to remove the barrier of up-front costs – by spreading payments over three years – and ensure that you’re turning over the equipment and keeping it fresh for students and staff.
•
Server system
•
Wireless system
•
Access technology: desktops and portable devices
•
Audio visual technology: data projectors and interactive boards.
Budgets often present the biggest challenge for schools seeking to upgrade their technology, particularly when the infrastructure is constantly evolving. To avoid fixed annual budgets slowing down the process of achieving your ICT strategy, have you thought of leasing? The advantages of leasing technology equipment are widely known. •
Leasing enables schools to access more ICT for less
•
It provides an affordable, flexible and secure alternative to purchase
•
It offers schools a sustainable rotation programme ensuring old ICT is removed and recycled every three years and replaced with new equipment.
School leasing specialist Equico is New Zealand’s school leasing specialist, helping schools and colleges throughout the country get the ICT equipment and infrastructure they need. The friendly team can assist with developing and fulfilling your ICT
We hear regularly from schools that their allocated annual budgets are not enough to cover what they require to maintain and provide the latest technology for their students. Leasing is the ideal way to do something about it. Lease any of the following:
Having previously been vetted by the Ministry of Education, Equico has become a trusted supplier to Schools during the past 10 years. This means that all public and integrated schools are pre-approved with Equico for leasing anything they need, so you can get whatever you need, when you need it without having to go through additional red tape. Equico also takes environmental responsibility seriously and is committed to disposing of old and expired technology equipment in a sustainable way. Through Equico’s dedicated Equico Eco programme, schools can have unwanted e-waste collected and disposed of safely. Why not see how leasing compares? If you would like an Equico lease quote, please simply email: quotes@equico. co.nz and attach the equipment quote(s) from your preferred supplier(s). Equico 5/Level 6 300 Queen St, Auckland 1010 T (09) 302 5021 or 0800 378 426 www.equico.co.nz - Advertising Feature
Joy Allcock can be reached at sus@ihug.co.nz
— Advertising Feature
For many children the alphabet is unknown and for all children it is a somewhat abstract concept. Very few children come to school with a ‘print dictionary’ in their heads – they don’t have written words to refer to, so print and letters are their ‘unknown’. We know we should teach new concepts by starting with what children know and yet the way we introduce the alphabetic code is the complete opposite. We start with what they know least about – print. When children start school they know how to speak, so sounds are their ‘known’. By using a sound to link to words that children know, and then by showing them how the letters of the alphabet can be used to write the sound, we can easily teach how the alphabetic code works. www.principalstoday.co.nz Term 2, 2013 | 31
School Camping available and great for checking out the sites. Sports facilities and fields are also available to kick a rugby ball on, or have a game of competitive volleyball. Tennis and badminton are also great games for kids to get involved with and sports gear is available at the camp. Archery and air rifles are also available for the students to try something different and of course all these activities are supervised.
lakesidE
Retreat
Activities For a fantastic summer There is a huge range of activities for holiday programme, or a school groups to get involved with at mid-term school camp, the camp. Lakes Ranch in the lovely For a boost of confidence and for lakeside town of Rotorua is something a bit more challenging, have a go on the Mud Run and get the place to be. covered head to toe in mud. The Mud The camp is the perfect spot for school groups, outdoor education, tenting and church groups, as well as families looking to get away for a break. The camp also hosts horse camps and horse trekking for those who enjoy a bit of adventure on horse back.
Run course is also used for the Tough Guy and Girl Challenge which is held annually. The bush swing is also a lot of fun and will give an adrenaline buzz to your students. After that relax in the hot thermal pool or take a dive into the swimming pool. Kayaks are also
Rotorua is like nowhere else; its spirit is expressed in the raw beauty of a stunning landscape that has enchanted visitors from around the world for more than 160 years. Lakes Ranch Christian Camp showcases the best of the region; tied neatly together in a package ideal for school groups, outdoor education, tenting, church groups and families looking to leap the rural/ urban divide and get away from it all. Outdoor education has been flipped on its head with the range of options at Lakes Ranch. Get covered head to toe on our Mud Run course used for the annual Tough Guy and Girl challenge. Relax in the hot pool or take a dip in the cold pool. Jump on one of the camp’s kayaks and check out the sights. Kick a rugby ball around the sports field, get into a competitive game of volleyball, tennis or badminton with the available sports gear. Try your hand at archery or grab a slug gun for something a little different at our fully supervised facility. Lakes Ranch also offers horse riding, abseiling, orienteering, swoop and rock climbing . You can even watch a movie while soaking in the hot pool. Head out on a day hike or check out the glow worms sparkling in the dark bush at night. Don’t forget the camp is a hop, skip and jump to the local attractions Rotorua has to offer. From zorbing to luging, the options are endless. Maybe try a spot of fishing on one of the local lakes, or check out the cultural sights around the region. School holiday Horse Camp programmes are on offer for those 7 years and above who love to get out into the great outdoors on horseback. From trekking to trotting, the camp offers amazing opportunities to harness your skills . You don’t even have to know how to ride, our talented team can teach you. We also have Kids Camps for 8-12 year olds which run every school holidays. Accommodation includes lodge rooms holding between three and twelve people, bunk rooms bordering the riding arena which sleep 11 in each, studio units with ensuites (perfect for parents and teachers), a Retreat Centre with five bedrooms and tenting and motor home sites are also available. Lakes Ranch includes a kitchen and dining area where our talented catering staff can whip up something delicious or we have self-catering options. Run by a dedicated team, Lakes Ranch Christian Camp is an oasis of strong moral guidance in a fun and exciting holiday package.
32 | Term 2, 2013 www.principalstoday.co.nz
For getting out and enjoying the great outdoors head on a day hike or check out the glow worms at night, your students will love the way the glow worms sparkle in the dark bush. The camp also offers abseiling, orienteering, swoop, rock climbing, a water slide and movie-in-thepool – something to keep everyone entertained. And don’t forget the camp is a hop, skip and jump to the local attractions Rotorua has to offer. From zorbing to luging, the options are endless. Maybe try a spot of fishing on one of the lakes, or check out the cultural sites around the region.
School holiday programmes Lakes Ranch offers extensive holiday programmes. For those who love to get out into the great outdoors on horse back. From trekking to trotting, the camp offers amazing opportunities to harness your skills on horse back. And you don’t even have to know how
to ride a horse. The talented team at the camp can teach you. This camp is designed for 12 year olds and above. Kids Camp is also a holiday programme offered by Lakes Ranch. If you don’t know what to do with your children during the school holidays, and they are getting bored, then send them off to Kids Camp to experience the great outdoors, learn new skills, make new friends and have fun. This is the perfect holiday escape for children aged nine to 12 and there is also a leadership training programme for secondary school aged students.
Why choose Lakes Ranch? Lakes Ranch aims to equip children with tools for the future and create lasting memories. Camp provides a challenging but safe environment for this to take place. We all grew up where children built a real tree hut, in a real tree. Lakes Ranch is set on 52 hectares of outdoor fun and the direction we are moving in is one of adventure. The camp is helping kids gain confidence in an environment that is both challenging and safe. Lakes Ranch wants to embrace the past and give kids the opportunity to love the outdoors, teaching them to look for adventure instead of being bored. The aim is to give kids the skills to minimise risk and the confidence to give things a go, instead of doing nothing for fear of getting hurt.
Phone Fax Email Web
07 350 3010 07 350 3080 office@lakesranch.org.nz www.lakesranch.org.nz
RR
School Camping
A beauty in the bay
Marsden Bay Christian Camp was established more than 50 years ago and has a well earned reputation as Northland’s premier group camping facility. Being only 90 minutes from Auckland, the area is popular with groups wanting to get away from the hussle and bustle of the big city without travelling too far. During the last few years the site has been extensively developed, with the kitchen having a complete overhaul, the ablution block updated, and, most strikingly, a new accommodation wing which features queen beds, double glazing, carpet, heat pumps and a fabulous ablution block. Also in the new wing are two indoor spaces which can be used as lecture rooms, chill out zones, teacher retreats, or admin areas depending on the requirements of your group. Most recently, the original dorm block has had new joinery fitted throughout and the hall floor is being resurfaced in mid 2013. The camp is popular all year round - whether you are running a school camp, a quiet retreat, a full on training weekend, an inspiring conference or a series of seminars, check out the great facilities at Marsden Bay.
Indoor spaces There are five separate indoor spaces which range in size from a generous
leaders lounge right up to a large hall. Hold a staff meeting in the lovely new block, run a movie night in the conference room and keep an eye on proceedings from the leaders lounge, or launch a full on basketball game in the hall. You can even bring some marshmallows to toast on the huge open fire.
Work areas The heart of any camp is its kitchen. The modern and well laid out facilities are easy to use, making your cook’s job a breeze. The large chiller and freezer units, spacious pantry, commercial toast maker, broad serving hatches and steriliser unit are the envy of most camps. You can also leave all your plates, cutlery and cups at home, as there are enough for 200 people.
New accommodation During 2011 the camp saw the completion of a huge project involving an all new accommodation wing, which includes 10 wonderful family rooms, double glazing, air conditioning and
bright new ablutions. There is also a new meeting room in this block which has comfy couches and a kitchenette (if you just can’t manage without your morning coffee!)
Outdoor activities Situated on eight hectares, the camp has several large outdoor areas which include great facilities such as the water slide, flying fox, fitness trail, fire pit, a confidence course, and of course the activities shed, which is jam packed with a great range of equipment suitable for games and team building activities. There are also many great things to do in the local area, from the beaches at Waipu Cove and Ruakaka surf beach, the Marsden Point Refinery visitors’ centre and the Waipu Caves, or you might just want to take our kayaks for a paddle around Marsden Cove.
Whangarei Harbour. The roads are sealed right to the gate, and there is a selection of great beaches nearby. If you haven’t visited before and would like to see the facilities for yourself, simply make contact to arrange a time to check things out.
More information Want to know more? Check out the website, phone, or email to book your camp. Camp managers Michael and Venetia Ryan are always pleased to show visitors around. Marsden Bay Christian Camp 89a One Tree Point Road Ruakaka T (09) 433 0167 E mbccbook@gmail.com www.marsdenbaychristian camp.com — Advertising Feature
Where are we? Marsden Bay is just 90 minutes north of Auckland at the mouth of the beautiful
• Only 90 minutes North of Auckland • Sleeps 140 in comfort • Modern facilities • Sheltered beach nearby • Great on-site activities • Several large indoor spaces
Email us for an information pack:
mbccbook@gmail.com Office: (09) 433 0167 www.marsdenbay.co.nz 34 | Term 2, 2013 www.principalstoday.co.nz
Property
why choose the Burgess Wetpour System The reasons and benefits of a Burgess Wetpour system are endless! This great playground surface enables your matting to be installed as a continuous installation, flowing around equipment and poles, leaving no gaps, rolling over mounds and following contoured surfaces.
• Will last for many years as it’s very durable • Base preparation prior to the matting installation is of the utmost importance and can add years to your playground surface • NZS5828:2004 compliant and comes with a five year warranty. Burgess Matting offers a free, no obligation measure and quote.
• Safe • Low maintenance
• Continuous installation, flowing around equipment and poles, leaving no gaps, rolling over mounds and following contoured surfaces
• Provides uniform safety all year round
• Fabulous coloured options and you can join these with a pattern or design of your choice and you have your own unique playground
• Non-slip
• 100 percent recycled rubber
• Easy to clean
• Impact Pads for areas where a softer landing is needed, scuff pads, DIY modular long run and tiles, deck and ramp matting are also BMS specialties
• Indoor /outdoor use
• Make it non slip and safe
• 100 percent recycled rubber
• Wetpour requires minimal maintenance – forget the days of topping up bark
Invest in BMS Wetpour Playground Matting and provide your children with a safe and enjoyable environment and give yourself the benefit of reduced maintenance.
Burgess Matting T 0800 80 85 70 E admin@burgessmatting.co.nz www.burgessmatting.co.nz — Advertising Feature Safety Matting for Decks, Playgrounds, Sports Areas, Wheelchair Access Ramps, Impact Pads, Flooring & Gym Tiles
Features of the BMS Wetpour system
Some of the key features for using this system are:
• Avoid tile joins
A sales representative can meet with you to discuss the matting systems which are suitable for your requirements.
• Durable
• Porous • Impact absorbent • Long life
• Colour choice • Aesthetically pleasing
• Reduces noise & vibration • Good equal access for children with disabilities • Excellent long term investment • Installed by BMS installation team • Polymerically bonded to provide a hardwearing all weather surface • Supplied with a five year guarantee against faulty materials and workmanship
• Available in three different surface texture options • Virtually seamless system Safebond, Flexibond • Maximises equipment use and Permabond.
We’ve got it covered - For all your Matting Requirements www.burgessmatting.co.nz | 0800 80 8570 | sales@burgessmatting.co.nz
www.principalstoday.co.nz Term 2, 2013 | 35
Special Education
gifted
Awareness Week
There are lots of fallacies and misunderstandings regarding gifted children. This is why the Gifted Education Centre is taking part in the annual Gifted Awareness Week from Monday, June 17 to Sunday, June 23. This is the week which includes the birthday of George Parkyn, the New Zealander whose thoughts, international experience and passion to support the gifted are central to the principles of the Gifted Education Centre. Gifted Awareness Week is celebrated in a variety of ways by many groups within New Zealand. Keep an eye out for activities within your region as well as notifications that are happening nationally (and beyond). For the Gifted Education Centre the focus of the week is three fold:
This year’s theme is Challenge. Events will be occurring at all the One Day School™ venues around the country and information regarding all the individual events will be posted on the Gifted Education website and its Facebook page. Highlights include:
Competition We need a logo for Gifted Awareness Week. What does a “Challenge” logo look like? Send your entries to: Challenge Logo Competition,
•
To provide information to parents and teachers of gifted children
PO Box 10-010, Dominion Road, Auckland by 13th May.
•
To raise much needed funds for the centre
Sponsored challenges
•
To provide a fun, social environment for gifted children and all those involved in their upbringing.
Each ODS, GO or SP child will set their own challenge during Gifted Awareness Week – and we are encouraging their adults to do the
same. There will also be a chance to set a whole family challenge.
Scrabbleathon
The Gifted Education Centre is a not-for-profit, registered charitable trust. The Centre provides educational facilities for children and students from 3-12 years old across New Zealand. This is done via its One day School™ Gifted On-Line (GO) and Small Poppies programmes.
Within the One Day School and Small Poppies programmes there will be individual class scrabble competitions during this week. Visitors (family, friends, VIPs, media) will be invited to visit our classrooms.
Quiz nights These will be happening in a number of locations around the country. Keep an eye on the website www.giftededucation.org.nz for more details.
Letter writing blitz There will be opportunities to be involved in ‘spreading the word’ beyond those actively involved in gifted education.
Scavenger hunts
In addition we provided support and education for parents and teachers of gifted children.
These are about searching for the essential items for the Gifted Child’s Survival Pack. These will be happening in (and around) our classrooms throughout the country. In Auckland there will be an outdoor scavenger hunt on Sunday 23rd June.
For more information please see the website www.giftededucation.org.nz
Essential backpack items for a gifted learner
Contact the Head Office by email at head.office@giftedededucation.org.nz or by phone at 09 827 5271, (Toll free 0508GIFTED)
36 | Term 2, 2013 www.principalstoday.co.nz
Throughout your journey there are going to be those (hopefully a large number) who understand you and are excited about the journey you are on. There will also be those who think the journey is the wrong one for you. Some of your ‘backpack’ items may help them begin to understand your journey and your reasons for it. There will be some (hopefully only a few) who will make it more difficult.
We have put together a backpack of essential items you may need along the way. There are currently 30 items included in the essential list and there are two listed here as a teaser.
In the backpack commonly known as a ‘bag of holding’ This works similarly to Dr Who’s Tardis – it’s much larger on the inside than it appears from the outside. This is needed to store the essential items. It needs to fit well because it will be carried a very long way. A code book: this is necessary to be able to explain your journey to others you meet along the way - and to explain to those who will meet you on your return. Some of those you meet will already know the code. Remember to leave a copy behind for those who may follow later. A translation book: to understand where others are at and to help them understand you. You may need two - a child version and an adult version because the language needed for children and adults can be different.
The Gifted Education Centre is a not for profit, registered charitable trust. It provides educational facilities for children and students from 3 - 12 years across New Zealand via its One Day School™ Gifted On-Line (GO) and Small Poppies programmes. In addition it provides support and education for parents and teachers of gifted children. For more information call (09) 827 5271, free phone 0508GIFTED, email head.office@ giftededucation.org.nz, or visit the website www.giftededucation.org.nz — Advertising Feature
Video Conferencing
Embracing
video conferencing
Education is embracing video conferencing across the board. Asnet Technologies, utilising Polycom standards-based technology, has been instrumental in founding video conferencing in education since 2002. “We wanted high definition equipment and we certainly got that with Asnet Technologies and Polycom,” says Margot McKeegan, learning advisor for the Greater Christchurch Schools Network (GCSN). Originally set up to offer students in remote locations a wider range of NCEA courses, and the same access to subjects as urban mainstream schools, video conferencing means opportunities for rural teachers have also opened up to teach more subjects to students in different schools and multiple locations simultaneously. Remote learning is still the most common use of video conferencing in education however, its increased capabilities and services have significantly expanded.
Professional development Professional development for teachers is one of the fastest growing areas of video conferencing, increasing
opportunities for teachers to connect with trainers, advisors and each other.
Special events Guest speakers interact with students in multiple locations simultaneously over video conferencing. From Antarctic scientists, NASA astronauts, to the Prime Minister, students experience real-time video interaction with otherwise often unobtainable speakers.
Virtual field trips Virtual field trips introduce students to new worlds and experiences, without travelling. Students can attend a live orchestra, dive the Great Barrier Reef, or walk through Te Papa museum, to name a few.
Tutorial sessions Students needing extra tuition are being catered for incredibly well with classes provided outside of the usual curriculum, including remedial, special needs, and extension teaching.
School board meetings Board members and advisors are now conferencing in via smartphones or iPads, which easily connect to roombased systems, and are also being utilised for interviewing new school staff.
Support Counselling
TRAVELLERS - Give your students resilience skills - Help your students build confidence Travellers is a small-group, school-based programme designed to assist young people to deal with change, transition and difficult life challenges. It targets students in their first year of high school and has been developed in association with New Zealand’s Ministry of Health. Travellers has been operating for 10 years and has been fully reviewed. A three yearly evaluation cycle ensures
the programme reflects best practice with effective outcomes. The Travellers Programme is an innovative programme for young people, developed by Skylight, to build resilience and key life skills. It enables young people to learn skills to cope with change, loss and transition and to build their self esteem and confidence to be able to face life’s future challenges. Each Travellers programme is delivered to a small group of targeted year 9 students by trained school staff.
Travellers assists students to: • Safely explore and navigate change, loss and transition • Gain new resilience skills and find new confidence • Improve their learning outcomes at school. To find out more, contact Aileen Davidson, Travellers national coordinator on 0800 299100 or email: travellers@skylight-trust.org.nz — Advertising Feature
Skylight
Skylight plays an active part in creating positive change for children, young people, adults and their families and friends who are facing tough times. Each year, many New Zealand children and young people are emotionally impacted by events that cause significant change, loss or grief in their lives. The overall costs of this are high to our communities. For example, research in New Zealand and internationally confirms that children’s and young people’s loss and grief can impact their later lives considerably. It can affect learning and school life, social interactions, health, self-esteem, future relationships and life choices. Significant loss is very often evident in the backgrounds of youth involved in substance abuse, youth offending or suicide. Grief also affects adults in a vast array of ways, impacting the workplace and productvity, a community’s mental health, relationships and resilience, and the wellbeing of individuals and families overall.
Skylight takes up opportunities to advocate for awareness and systemic change at national government, local government and organisation levels, to ensure the availability of grief support in communities where it is absent. This support helps mitigate the serious and far-reaching consequences of grief. Skylight works hard to highlight the real voices, and needs, of hurting and grieving people, of all ages and stages. But also works hard to provide practical options and resources for their effective support. Skylight can support your team as you interact with students and their families who are facing tough times of change, loss, trauma and grief - whatever the cause. The organisation can also, personally and confidentially, support your staff in their own tough times. “We build resilience for life’s hard situations - many schools across New Zealand use our resources and find them invaluable. We also offer high quality training and professional development across New Zealand.” To find out more call Skylight on 0800 299 100, or visit www.skylight.org.nz The Early Childhood & Schools tab on the homepage contains excellent information for early childhood, primary and secondary educators, as well as free downloads and links. — Advertising Feature
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