MENPS News

Kia ora koutou

One way to achieve this is to reach for the ‘panic button’ and default to the tried and tested ‘Crisis in Education’ (ALLCAPS) approach. As they say in marketing “sell the problem you solve, not the solution…”

The question in response, then, is what does the evidence actually show?

There is no doubt that on one international measure (PISA scores), NZ has experienced a much-publicised decline in literacy scores at the Secondary level. This is one measure. It’s also important to be aware that it is relative, and largely historic.

The fact is that New Zealand continues to rank above the OECD average in PISA rankings (in a similar range to the US, China and Australia), despite being a much smaller economy (Figure 2.1)

Source: Education Counts

The data is also clear that the achievement curve in literacy mirrors a downward trend across the OECD (Figure 2.2, below). Look more closely, and we see that NZ achievement has, in fact, actually stabilised in recent years.

Focusing on Primary-aged students, another international test (PIRLS) shows that Year 5 student achievement in literacy has, in fact, been relatively stable for about the last two decades or so.

While all this may undermine the picture of a 'crisis', this is not to suggest there aren't major challenges to address.

It is still important to observe these trends and explore evidence on what has changed in the NZ Education system that may explain or contribute to them. (One thing that definitely hasn’t changed in this time is the New Zealand Curriculum, incidentally)

There are many clear correlations that should be of interest. These would include; the impact of increasing levels of student transience; socio-economic disparity in lower decile communities and the concerning drop in regular school attendance, substantial demographic changes in the population and high levels of disruptive behaviour in schools relative to other OECD countries. While we are at it, it may also be worth asking what impact we might expect to see when the number of NZ children who went at least one day without having anything to eat was almost twice the OECD average.

For those truly interested in ‘solutions’ to the supposed ‘crisis’ in education, I'd suggest, it's worth being aware that there is no persuasive evidence that a standardised curriculum or high stakes testing will help with anything more than low-level memorisation tasks, and that these can actually have many unintended negative consequences, particularly for young children. They certainly won't address any of the disparities listed above.

The reality is that what we need above all is great teachers, well-resourced schools, an engaging (local) curriculum that is responsive to individual needs and, of course, removing any and all barriers to ensuring children attend school regularly.

This may not make for a very exciting headline or campaign slogan, but in my view it would be far more likely to help achieve the outcomes we would all agree we want for all our tamariki.

Ka kite anõ i a koutou

Alan Jackson

Principal

Friday 5th April:

• PTA Second Hand Uniform Shop (8:15am - 9:15am)

Monday 8th April:

• Sports Assembly (2:30pm - 3:00pm)

Wednesday 10th April:

• School Photos
• Second visit for Term 2 Cohort Entry plus Parent Information session (9:00am - 10:30am)

Thursday 11th April:

• School Photos

Friday 12th April:

• Whole School Assembly (2:30pm - 3:00pm)
• LAST DAY of TERM 1 - PTA ice block sales $2 (3:00pm - 3:30PM)

Monday 29th April - Term 2 Begins

• 8.15 - 9.15am
• In the PTA Room: follow signs from Valley Rd gates OR
• Order online by emailing Jane at menpspta@gmail.com.
• Pay via Cash or Bank transfer.
• Donations needed - especially good quality winter uniforms! If you have any uniforms that your child no longer fits/needs then please consider donating to the Uniform Shop. Donations can be dropped off at the office. Thank you!

Save the date for the Dragon Boat Festival, returning to MENPS on Saturday June 8th!

Details to come.

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Refer to the PTA website for information on the various fundraising and community activities

Co-Chairs Pam Clifford & Svantje Reiber

Secretary Chelsea Chen

Treasurer Linda Waddington-Miller & Paula Tran

PTA Advisor Chantal Brunner

Sponsorships Rayni Chung

School Representative Hilary Edwards

Full team of amazing parents/caregivers listed here