NZEI News - 24 November 2009/22e
Most of the participants at last week's forum agreed the national standards policy represents considerable risk to student learning. New Zealand's leading academics and researchers confirmed the practitioner view that the education system should not embark upon the standards without rigorous trials being undertaken first.
As a result, NZEI's leadership groups and the NZ Principals' Federation have agreed that:
1. The risks represented by this policy are such that a limited trial should undertaken before the policy is implemented on a system-wide basis. For example,
* teachers haven't been engaged with this policy
* The validity of the standards is untested and presents risk both to the teaching process and to students' learning
* The short timeframe for implementation of national standards puts schools under undue pressure. This creates a significant risk to successful implementation of the New Zealand Curriculum in 2010.
2. Schools (and their BoTs) that elect to be in the national standards trial must be fully supported by professional development and the programme must be evaluated closely.
3. Any risks or unintended consequences identified must be acted upon before further system-wide implementation is undertaken.
Find out more about what NZEI is planning to do, and what you need to know, at http://www.nzei.org.nz/National+Standards.html
It's time to think pink - School Support Staff Days of Action confirmed
There's been no settlement in the support staff negotiations so the Days of Action on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 November will take place. Go to www.nzei.org.nz and click on "Think Pink"� for more information about the venues for the rallies and resource material for in-school activities.
We encourage all school staff to wear pink and black on Friday and to let your wider community know why it's important support staff get a fair deal. You can also invite Bill English and other Government MPs to "walk in our shoes"� by emailing them to ask them to work for $12.94 on Friday and donate the rest of their day's income to charity. See the Think Pink information on www.nzei.org.nz for more information.
Low pay rallies - Friday November 27th
NZEI support staff are also being encouraged to take part in lunchtime rallies on November 27th with members of the Service and Food Workers Union and the PSA, to protest against the government's wage freeze in the state sector. The action is timed to coincide with a strike by hospital cleaners, caretakers and disability support workers. The rallies will start at 12.30pm in 37 centres around the country check for details on this pdf document.
Auckland March and Rally
On Saturday 28 November a large march up Queen Street in Auckland is planned to show the level of frustration over the government's failure to give support staff a fair deal. This is a chance for everyone "teachers, principals and all school communities" to take to the streets and show that support staff are valued and deserve to be recognised. The march will go from Queen Elizabeth Square at 12pm and finish with a rally and BBQ in Myers Park.
All members in the Auckland and surrounding areas are asked to bring colleagues, family and friends.
Negotiating Update
The support staff negotiating team met the Ministry on 18 and19 November. While the support staff team wanted a settlement the Ministry wanted more understanding of the three principles. Nothing new came out of the meeting. The Ministry team now want time to report back to the Minister. We agreed that we would meet again on the 9 December but we refused to stop the Days of Action. The team gave a clear message that we expect the Ministry to come back with a changed mandate on 9 December.
School Leadership and Student Outcomes
The latest in the Best Evidence Series from the Ministry of Education is out. NZEI Te Riu Roa members and staff had a big input into the publication, and it has already won two international awards. One copy has been sent to each school principal, but there are a few extra copies available from the ministry. You'll need to be in quick if you want to order (orders@thechair.minedu.govt.nz.), or you can find it online at http://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/themes/BES.
Looking for a teaching position for 2010 and worried about paying off your student debt? You might want to consider applying for a position in a school that is in the "Voluntary Bonding Scheme"�. If you take up a full time position in one of these schools you will receive $3,500 (before tax) annually for every year up to five years with the first payment made after being in the position for three years. Find out more on the NZEI website.
Study Awards, Sabbaticals, Study Award Grants
Information on the Ministry of Education-funded Primary and Area Teacher and Principal (including Kura Kaupapa Māori) Study Awards, Sabbaticals, Study Support Grants, Fellowships and Prestigious Awards are available on the NZEI website - go to either Primary Teachers / Principals / Area Schools pages.
Applications open in May 2010 with awards to be taken up in the 2011 academic year. To maximise this opportunity, consider planning your proposal over the summer break!
NZEI Te Riu Roa Scholarships
Two scholarships are available for Support Staff members and two for Early Childhood members for the 2011 academic year.
Information will be available at www.nzei.org.nz from early December 2009, with applications being invited from April 2010. These provide a great opportunity to further your career by completing a qualification, carrying out a research project or attending a professional conference. Begin planning your application now.
South Island schools decide who will use Novopay
South Island schools are being asked to say who will work on Novopay, the new online payroll service being rolled out from 2010. Payroll users in schools can be given access to all the payroll records in their school, or just to a particular group of staff, such as non-teaching staff. Novopay access authorisation forms need to be returned by this Friday 27 November.
For more information on how Novopay will make your job easier check the Novopay webpages.
Wear a white ribbon on 25 November
Wednesday 25 November marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Wear a white ribbon as your personal pledge to always speak out against violence towards women and children. Find out more at www.whiteribbon.org.nz
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