President's Message
Kia ora e te whānau
COVID challenges have sucked the oxygen from the broader education agenda this year, but before it ends, I want to discuss progress on a major point of NZPF advocacy.
NZPF has highlighted the circumstances of our dysregulated students and sought system change. Our lobby has been to enable all students to participate safely and successfully in the school setting and for those who need it, to receive the therapeutic help they need to heal.
In Budget 2021, Government funded an additional 95 student places annually through Te Kahu Tōī Intensive Wraparound Service (IWS). As you know, this service is for children and young people aged 5-14 with highly complex and challenging behaviour, social and/or learning needs who require support at school, at home and in the community.
Regional Directors now have a streamlined process to approve students onto IWS without going through the usual Regional Prioritisation Panel. This is known as the ‘Director’s Pathway’. Each region runs the process slightly differently, but each application must be approved by a Regional Director. Requests into the Directors pathway can come from Ministry managers and advisors.
If you have a critical case and need urgent service (what IWS application isn’t?) then contact your Ministry of Education advisor and insist on access to the Director’s Pathway.
Further to this additional IWS resource, Minister Tinetti has committed to medium- and long-term solutions for high behaviour needs. She has pointed to two critical reviews that will deliver change:
- The Redesigning Alternative Education Review
- The Highest Needs Review
Both reviews are ongoing and aim to deliver clear outcomes by October 2022 for consideration in the 2023 Budget.
The cabinet paper outlining the Redesigning Alternative Education Review commits to the establishment of a new model of intensive provision that applies to all schools, including primary and intermediate schooling. Complex young people requiring access to alternative education have not had easy entry to that option. Consequently, many have been exited from schooling through exclusion.
We have a responsibility to include complex young people in education and when our most challenging students threaten harm to themselves and/or others we need alternatives available.
That is why NZPF is a strong advocate for Te Tupu Managed Moves - an approach that catches young people before they are excluded, holds them in schooling and provides the support they need. Former Associate Minister of Education, Tracey Martin, is to be congratulated for establishing this service in Napier and we thank the current Government for continuing to fund it.
Napier is not the only part of our country that urgently needs this support. Twenty-one clusters of schools, representing 73,000 students, would appreciate the service in their areas too. A list of these schools was provided to Minister Tinetti earlier this year.
NZPF looks forward to the establishment of these long overdue changes that genuinely reflect the varied needs of students. We will be closely monitoring progress and outcomes in 2022 to ensure that commitments made to establish a new model of intensive provision for young people in the primary and intermediate schools, is a commitment delivered.
International Students Review
The Ministry of Education is launching a review of international fee-paying students (under Year 9). This is an important review which will examine the appropriateness of having international students younger than year 9 in schools. The timing of this review is unfortunate. At this time of year, principals will have little gas left in the tank to respond.
However, if this affects you, I encourage you to visit:
NZPF will also submit a response.
NZPF Christchurch Conference 14-16 September 2022
If you thought the NZPF National Conference in Rotorua this year was wonderful then fasten your seatbelts for Christchurch in 2022.
The conference website is live and registrations are now open.
How exciting to be returning to Christchurch - the first time since 2008. Conference will be held in the brand-new Te Pae, Christchurch Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Mark this date in your diary now.
Departing Executive Members
I acknowledge and thank two members of the NZPF Executive who are departing at the conclusion of this year. Sandy Hastings (Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto, Christchurch) and Kay Tester (Sts Peter and Paul School, Lower Hutt) have given New Zealand principals outstanding service over their respective terms. They have made generous and insightful contributions, adding knowledge, value and direction on a myriad issues in the course of their work on the executive. Of special note, Sandy has led advocacy for gender fluid and rainbow youth and Kay has brought her sharp intelligence, analysis and considerable knowledge to curriculum debates. Our very best wishes follow you both.
PPCB Draft Claims
Please visit the PPCB website to read the draft claims.
Ngā manaakitanga
Perry Rush
perry@nzpf.ac.nz