Putting schools at the heart
We want want every single child, no matter where they were born, where they live or who their parents are, to have the same opportunities to learn.
What happens outside of school affects what happens in the classroom.
We want to make it easier for kids, families and the community to access all the services they need in one place.
That's why we're asking political parties to make secondary schools into the hub of their community.
"Schools are a beating heart.
They are children's places, they are whānau places.
We need to make sure every school can meet their community's needs."
Melanie Webber, PPTA president
Māori and Pasifika teachers go above and beyond to support and care for their students and whānau. We're calling for more staff, so the load is shared fairly.
It's a simple matter of supply and demand. Kids should be able to get the help they need, when they need it. We need more guidance counsellors - now!
The Covid-19 situation has shown us that we all need the opportunity to learn and train for a new job or career throughout our lives. Providing more adult community education will grow the skills we need to become resilient communities.
Immigration, Inland Revenue, your GP or nurse, Work and Income, mental health services, the community pantry - when social services can be accessed at school, people get what they need and are linked more deeply into the fabric of community.
Help us achieve our goal
Please ask your local MP and candidates to support our call, and talk to friends and family too.
Sample questions:
- Will your party commit to taking charter schools off the table forever?
- As a teacher, I believe schools are the natural centre of the community. Will your party make secondary schools service hubs for the community?
- As a teacher, I know how important lifelong learning is for our whole society. Will your party fund adult and community education to help people retrain?
- Māori and Pasifka teachers often have a double workload of teaching and pastoral care. Will your party fund community liaison staff to lighten that load?
- Will your party properly resource counselling and mental health services for kids?
- Will your party commit to changing the role of the teaching council to meet the profession’s needs?