National Volunteer Week 2018 - Resources
Want to promote National Volunteer Week? đ
We have loads of amazing resources on the NVW website, to help you run your own campaign! Check out the link for more details.
National Volunteer Week celebrates the 1.2 million Kiwis who volunteer in our communities every year. The theme for 2018: Volunteers, The Heart of our Community â By many, the work will be completed, MÄ tini, mÄ mano, ka rapa te whai, captures the essence of the volunteering spirit and the essential link between volunteers and the communities who benefit from their generosity. The event will run from June 17-23, 2018.
#NVW2018
Stay sun-safe and well-read this spring
Longer days and warmer weather are fast approaching!
Make the most of your Sundays with a subscription to the Sunday Star-Times. From just $51, enjoy gripping investigations, in-depth analysis, and exclusive subscriber rewards. Plus, for September only, receive a free Antipodes Supernatural SPF50+ Ceramide Silk Facial Sunscreen worth over $60.
Don't miss out on this unbeatable offerâsubscribe today! *Print T&Cs apply.
Head for bed
Short on space? Why not make a slatted headboard finished in Resene Colorwood Whitewash and incorporate shelves that can be moved into position as a side table between the slats.
Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
Education changes: Area schools âcopping it from all directionsâ
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A North Canterbury principal says area schools are ââcopping it from all directionsââ with Government changes to education.
Amuri Area School principal Matt Barlow has written to Education Minister Erica Stanford to ask whether the pace of change can be slowed down.
Area schools cover all year levels from new entrants to year 13, tend to be smaller and are based in rural areas, meaning they face pressures to implement curriculum changes across the board.
ââSchools like Rangiora High School donât have to worry about year 1 to 3 literacy and numeracy, and primary schools donât have to worry about changes to NCEA.
ââWe are a bit of an afterthought. Area schools are like an airport and principals are like air traffic controllers, with planes coming from all directions.ââ
While some rural school rolls are falling, Amuri Area School is managing a growing roll.
The roll has jumped from 335 to 380 students since the start of 2023, which includes its largest roll of year 7s (50) and year 13s (22).
Barlow said the school is working with the Ministry of Education to design a new building for science, technology and arts classes.
No budget or timeframe has been decided.
Amuri Area School is in Culverden, on the way to Hanmer Springs, and the relative isolation adds to the challenges.
The relief teacher pool is limited, meaning Barlow and his two deputy principals have had to step into the classroom several times this year.
Roger Hornblow became principal at Cheviot Area School in term four last year, having been a long serving primary school principal.
ââArea schools are very complex and I donât think it is appreciated by everybody.
ââWe are dealing with the NCEA changes and the year 0 to 8 changes. It is really complex.
ââBut that is part and parcel of the beast and we need to make sure we do it in a way which give students the best outcomes.ââ
It means professional development is constant, and Hornblow is pleased with how his staff are stepping up.
He would like to see ââa unified education policyââ which did not change every time there is a change of Government.
The New Zealand Education Institute Te Riu Roa and the New Zealand Principals' Federation also called on the Government last week to slow down the implementation of new structured math and English curriculum.
New NCEA literacy and numeracy online tests have also come under fire from secondary school principals around the country.
Education Minister Erica Stanford said extra support is being provided to area schools in North Canterbury, with curriculum advisors visiting schools, assisting with teacher only days and providing webinars.
The schools also have the support of the ministry's area school leadership advisor Stephen Beck, who is taking a year out from his role as principal at Hurunui College.
"Support will be ongoing as the local team looks to ensure our rural area schools have the assistance they require to implement and embed these changes."
But she said introducing structured literacy and numeracy will take time, especially for schools teaching it for the first time.
"Embedding a curriculum refresh, running professional development and responding to our sector feedback are things we will work on together over the coming years."
â LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.