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Whaowhia te kete mātauranga
Fill the basket of knowledge
Nearly there!
While we count the days to the end of term, take time to think about what you have achieved despite the waves of COVID and winter illnesses. And congratulations! Nearly all schools have stayed open most of the time, despite some experiencing dire staffing levels. I have witnessed many of you focusing on reengaging students and supporting wellbeing; assessing where learning is at and supporting teachers to just pick up from whatever place students are up to; endeavouring to maintain school trips, assemblies, sports events and community events. For example, the way so many schools celebrated the Matariki festival with students and families was truly inspirational.
Staffing, relievers and the hole in the budget
The impact of COVID and winter illness on school staff continues to wreak havoc. To date, teachers and staff have used nearly double the sick days compared to 2021. Where schools have been able to find relievers they have employed them. Recent PM surveys have shown many schools cannot get the relievers they need and of 429 principals responding, 19.1% report they have used 75 – 100% of their annual relieving budget already.
NZPF has called on the government to pay 100% of COVID related sick leave and has asked for relieving budgets to be increased.
Hopefully, the mid-year July holidays will be a circut-breaker that gives staff and students time to relax, recover and get well. A supply of free masks in schools might help, as might improving ventilation in classrooms.
The NZPF-MOE Curriculum Road Show
It has been a huge privilege to meet principals across the country in the last three weeks. Today we completed eleven of the Road Show events and next week we will be confirming dates for additional workshop requests in Term 3. Key messages shared with principals about the ‘Curriculum Refresh’ in Mathematics have been –
- Principals do not need to wait for the revised documents to come to begin a review and refresh process in mathematics.
- To teach mathematics well, teachers need to teach all the strands – not just numeracy and algebra. It is an equity issue.
- The types of mathematics tasks we get students to do matters. They need to be a mix of exercises, application, open ended and unfamilar problems.
- We have some of the best mathematics resources in the world. Teachers need time to go into the ARBs to see what is there. These resources are free.
- It is possible to create tasks where students’ knowledge, problem solving, reasoning and conceptual understandings can be assessed fast and effectively.
- Rapid routines are inclusive, fun and contagious confidence builders.
- There are key concepts that need to be taught at each level, which is the key paradigm shift from our current ‘New Zealand Curriculum’ and the revised curriculum documents coming.
At different road show sessions, principals who have already begun work on reviewing their mathematics curriculum shared some valuable insights about the positive impact this has on teachers and students alike. Thank you all for sharing and supporting your colleagues in this way.
Wondering of the Week:
How many of you have begun to plan ‘time-out’ activities to refresh and recharge in the holiday break?
Poll is closed
Results of last Week's poll:
| This term how hard has it been to find relievers to cover unwell teachers? |
Ngā manaakitanga
Cherie Taylor-Patel
cherie.taylor-patel@nzpf.ac.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.
Kia ora NZPF Colleagues,
I have had a number of you contact us recently wanting to join PPCB and couldn’t get onto the old website.
Here is our updated website link and it will take you to our registration form.
We will be in contact when you have registered and paid to ask you if you wish us to be your negotiators in the up and coming Collective Bargaining. We will then register you with the Ministry of Education.
If you wish to discuss anything please contact me. d.torrey@somerfield.school.nz
Nga mihi,
Denise Torrey
PPCB Head of Union
Tumuaki, Somerfield School
021 262 5557
Furnware’s Learning Spaces Lookbook Out Now
It's hot off the press and packed full of ideas and resources. From classroom refurbishments to multi-site new builds, we've included design tips and solutions to help make your planning simple.
Click here to request a digital or print copy...or both and enjoy over a hot cuppa at morning tea!
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.
