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Aristotle once said, “Education is an ornament in prosperity and a refuge in adversity”.
It has been a wild week of weather everywhere this week. Snow dumps, floods, slips, lightening, thunderstorms – we’ve had it all! It’s a great metaphor for the wild rollercoaster you continue to ride with the ongoing COVID disruptions. Kia kaha! Stay strong and try not to get buried in the chaos or swept away by the sheer force of the burden. Find your refuge!
MOOT – 2022
Last Friday, 120 regional presidents and cluster leaders came to Wellington for the 2022 MOOT. Minister Tinetti and Minister Sio shared the government’s priorities for Education. These included the ‘Curriculum Refresh’, the ‘High Needs Review’, the restructure of Te Mahau, the Equity Index Review, the Leadership workstream and the ‘Mana Ake’ mental health initiatives.
Bruce Jepsen from Te Akatea and Fa’tili Iosua Esera from the Pasifika Principals’ Association challenged leaders to keep the pressure on changing our systems, structures and ‘kawa’ so our schools can be welcome and relevant places for our Māori and Pacific Island students and their whānau. Fa’tili Iosua noted that Pacific Island youth are the fastest growing group in Āotearoa New Zealand and therefore are the future, while Bruce was especially outspoken about Māori voice, or the lack of it, and questioned whether this lack of Māori voice is showing honor for Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
What’s on Top in the Regions?
At each MOOT, there is always a session focused on regional issues. What was unique about this year was the commonality of issues. They were staffing levels, reliever availability, sick leave and falling rolls due to student absenteeism. With the July 1 Roll Return looming, principals were concerned about staffing levels for 2023 and how their Operations Grants in Term 4 might be affected by student absenteeism.
At a time when students have had disrupted learning for two and a half years, we need staffing to stay the same or increase. We have higher rates of students needing support in their learning, including specialist support and we are trying to get students back into school and re-engaged in their learning. We don’t need funding cuts when we are under the pump like this.
What can be done?
Staffing is an investment in the COVID generation of students, otherwise problems will compound.
- We need the government to pay sick leave for COVID related staff absenteeism until the end of 2022.
- We need the government to maintain or increase staffing between now and 2024, to support the COVID generation of students.
- We need the government to ensure no Term 4 Operations Grants decrease if student roll numbers are down, due to absenteeism.
You will have your own reasons for retaining or increasing these funding streams for your school. This is not the time to be worrying about budget blow-outs. Our schools need to be the refuge for students in our care. That’s called investing in their future. We need to be the ‘difference’ they remember forever.
Support for Excluded Students
In 2020, NZPF sought legal advice about what the MOE’s duty of care was when directing excluded students to schools. We found they did have a ‘duty of care’ to oversee a risk assessment process and provide resources to support the students, their whānau and the school. This year we have had a series of meetings with the MOE to advocate for more appropriate support systems for directed enrolments of excluded students.
While we continue work on the specifics, the MOE has identified a key person in each regional office that school leaders can contact.
It is not a perfect solution. It is more like a ‘place holder’ while we get more comprehensive support in place. It is, however, the first step.
The MOE has stated these people will -
“… triage enquiries from Principals to ensure the appropriate staff from Te Mahau are involved and that they understand what specific support the Principal, school and whānau and most importantly ākonga need. They will also refer the Principal to the appropriate support as required.”
What we want is a risk assessment system and access to someone who will broker “whatever support is needed to ensure the student has a successful transition back into school”.
If you are involved in the directed enrolment of an excluded student, please let me know how things are going.
Below is a table of the Ministry’s key people to contact, for each regional office.
Wondering of the Week:
How much of your annual reliever budget have you used so far this year?
Poll is closed
Results of last Week's poll:
To what extent do you think collaboration between school leaders and the MOE has improved through this pandemic?
Ngā manaakitanga
Cherie Taylor-Patel
cherie.taylor-patel@nzpf.ac.nz
Kia ora koutou katoa
Primary Principals’ Collective Bargaining (PPCB ) is a bespoke union formed by NZPF in 2021 in response to members' requests. It is a union run by principals for principals and addresses the unique concerns and challenges of the role. We focus 100% on principals and listen carefully and respond accordingly. We aim to give a voice to the needs and aspirations of principals in the Collective Bargaining process for the Primary Principal’s Agreement.
PPCB will work closely with our sister organisation, NZPF, to advocate for our members in other areas not covered by the Collective.
We invite you to join this unique entity and work in a genuine grassroots membership driven community to win better conditions for principals.
Denise Torrey
Head of Union
d.torrey@somerfield.school.nz
NZPF Conference - Christchurch
The overarching theme of this year’s conference is Aotearoa ki te whai ao! - Aotearoa and Beyond. We will be celebrating, sharing and learning from leaders, artists, pioneers, scholars and everyday people who have a connection to Aotearoa, have taken their talent to the world, and who push boundaries to achieve the very best for us and our country!
The conference will be held at the new Te Pae, Christchurch Convention and Exhibition Centre, on 14 - 16 September.
For further details and to register for the conference, please visit the website.
Nominations for NZPF Election 2022
Nominations are now open for NZPF President and Vice President for 2023.
Click here to download a nomination form.
Nominations close on 5 August and the electoral roll closes on 25 August. Your subscription payment must be received by this date in order to be eligible for voting.
NZ Principal Magazine also Online
You and/or your team members can easily access the NZ Principal Magazines online, as an e-magazine or as a PDF. Additionally you can search for a previous issue, an article by title or by the author of the article. All magazines back to Term 1 2012 are available in this format. To view or search click here.
Introducing the NZU team
Our nationwide Account Managers and our Customer Service team can work with you and your school on anything related to uniforms including formal and sports uniforms, minor changes or full re-designs. We can talk to you about the best options for your school and school community - retail and offline, wholesale or our Webshop option.
Book a Meeting and Win
Book a 30-minute obligation free uniform analysis meeting with one of the team and go into the draw to win $2,500.00* of CODE sports gear for your school!
*T's & C's apply. See website for details.
Special School Promo
Sign up to move your school uniform programme to NZ Uniforms by 31 July 2022 and receive a $1,000.00* sign on bonus.
*T's & C's apply. See website for details.
NZ Uniforms
www.nzuniforms.com
Phone: 04 2821199 / Email: ceo@nzuniforms.com
VLN Primary School - Registrations invited for online programmes starting Term 3
Extend curriculum choices for your learners and increase your schools confidence and capability in online and distance learning.
A wide range of language programmes available including te reo Māori and Kapa Haka; also Digital Technology, Gifted & Talented, Creative Arts, Science & Maths and Literacy.
Funding support available for some schools and learners.
Registrations close Monday 27 June.
Find out more and register your interest online or contact primary@vln.school.nz with queries.
All NZ children are welcome to learn with the VLN Primary - Nau Mai, Haere Mai!
ERO Webinar on impact of cohort entry
ERO will be running a webinar on the impact of cohort entry on schools at 6–7pm Tuesday 21 June 2022.
It will offer the real experiences of schools that have moved to cohort entry and experiences of schools that have continuous entry.
There will also be a Q & A session at the end of the webinar.
If you wish to attend, please RSVP to Telhuwaka@ero.govt.nz
Shine a light on extraordinary teachers and principals
National Excellence in Teaching Awards
Nominations are now open for the Futurity sponsored, National Excellence in Teaching Awards (NEiTA). Now in their 27th year, these awards recognise talented, caring and dedicated teachers and education leaders who display outstanding resilience and passion. Nominations can be made by anyone in the wider school community including parents, fellow educators, school councils and other community members here. Up to six educators will receive a professional development grant of $5,000, or $10,000 to further their career. The 2022 nominations are open until 17 July. Download a nomination pack for your school here. Let’s acknowledge the hard work and dedication shown by teachers in Aotearoa. Nominate an educator today.
NZPF assures its business partners that, as members, you will contact them to have a conversation if you are purchasing products, services or solutions for your schools that a business partner supplies. Please support our partners as their assistance to NZPF means better membership services to you.
