Tags >> schools
Posted by: PPTAweb
on 29, Nov, 2011
Tagged in: teaching , teachers , students , student achievement , social disadvantage , schools , research , power , NZARE , National Standards , equity , education politics , CLASS , change
Growing inequities - so what?
Today was spent in Tauranga, participating in the NZARE (NZ Association for Research in Education) conference (well listening anyway).
Professor Robert Tierney was the opening keynote speaker "Growing inequities: how do we contribute" was the title of his address.
Posted by: PPTAweb
on 08, Nov, 2011
 "Can head shape determine chances of business success? gu.com/p/33499/tw"@PPTAWeb tweeted.
Nothing much to do with education - but everything to do with stereotypes and, of course, what is published under the heading 'research'.
The trigger was the ongoing conversation in this office about stereotypes: gender, age, ability, ethnicity, technological prowess, looks i.e. physical characteristics (eye of the beholder of course) ... good schools, bad schools, good teachers, bad teachers, unions .... got the picture?
Posted by: PPTAweb
on 31, Oct, 2011
Tagged in: unions , teaching , teachers , students , student achievement , secondary schools , schools , public education , professional , profession , PPTA , parliament , education politics
I described PPTA as being 'apolitical' recently and then immediately thought "oops don't think I used the right word", Kevin Bunker (PPTA General Secretary) always carefully describes PPTA "as not supporting any particular political party". So to Wikipedia I turned
"The state or quality of being apolitical can be the apathy and/or the antipathy towards all political affiliations. Being apolitical can also refer to situations in which people take an unbiased position in regard to political matters."
Wiktionary took it further
Posted by: PPTAweb
on 07, Jun, 2011
Tagged in: working conditions , schools , school support staff , power , pay , NZEI , Ministry of Education , education spending , education politics , education , conditions , collective agreement , bargaining
The Wellington High School PPTA branch unanimously passed the following resolution today:
"That the WHS PPTA branch supports the NZEI Support Staff claim against the Ministry of Education's offer."
Support staff are grossly underpaid and their skilled work allows us to focus on the learning needs of our students. Support Staff do not get paid during any of the school holidays and very few get any school time for professional development. They are largely expected to do it in their own time.
WHS would like other schools to support our colleagues and write to the Minister, Ministry of Education and NZEI as we are doing.
NZEI Fair Deal for Support Staff campaign
(posted on behalf of WHS PPTA branch)
Posted by: blogger
on 06, Dec, 2010
Tagged in: teaching , STCA , schools , PPTA , pay , John Key , funding , education spending , education , conditions , Australia , Anne Tolley
By David
I am a New Zealand trained teacher who was lured over the Tasman by the need to live in a country that respects and values education.
Throughout Australia, various levels of government are injecting over $16 Billion into schools in a program called the Building Education Revolution. We have new halls, gyms and state of the art classrooms in our public schools.
The Digital Education Revolution (valued at over $2 Billion) is delivering laptops, broadband and essential ICT services to schools – often resulting in a ratio of 1 computer to one student.
As a teacher in Australia I feel empowered by salaries that can surpass $80,000 per year (although this is still inadequate) and the security of ongoing professional development from a well-organised State Government.
One day I would love to return to my homeland of New Zealand, and see my family live the Kiwi childhoods that my wife and I enjoyed whilst growing up.
There really is no place like New Zealand – believe me.
But the idea of returning to teach in New Zealand is laughable.
I am not prepared to sacrifice my career and all that I have worked for to live as an undervalued, overworked educator living on a pauper’s wage.
Don’t give in to the insulting and belittling rhetoric of John Key and Anne Tolley. It is time for the teachers of New Zealand to stand up for what is fair.
So from one former member of PPTA to those who have done the right thing and continue to believe in the New Zealand educational system, I have one request. Please don’t back down.
Keep fighting for the pay and conditions that our profession requires to thrive.
Kia kaha!
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