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By David Hill, local democracy reporter
A North Canterbury principal says school attendance targets are unrealistic in the present environment.
With a general election looming, politicians have been promising to fix declining school attendance rates.
But Rangiora High School principal … View moreBy David Hill, local democracy reporter
A North Canterbury principal says school attendance targets are unrealistic in the present environment.
With a general election looming, politicians have been promising to fix declining school attendance rates.
But Rangiora High School principal Bruce Kearney said the biggest barriers to school attendance targets were the Ministry of Education’s "inability" to negotiate a pay settlement with teachers and the mandatory seven-day Covid-19 stand down.
The Ministry of Education’s target is for all students to achieve 90% regular attendance at school.
That equated to just one day absent a fortnight, or six or seven days in a school term.
"Yes, non-attendance is a problem, but it is not because students aren’t attending school, it is because we are coming out of
Covid where hardly anybody in any industry is hitting 90% attendance," he said.
"It is a little rich for the Minister of Education to write letters to school principals asking them to get on board with attendance when the biggest factor impacting attendance at the moment is the Government’s inability to sign a contract with teachers."
While there was a lot of talk about non-attendance, Kearney said there was a lack of funding to enable schools to tackle the issue.
Rangiora High School recently employed an attendance officer from school funds to reach out to students in the 70-80% attendance category.
Rangiora New Life School principal Stephen Walters said the Ministry of Education should be putting more emphasis on student achievement rather than looking at attendance on its own.
"We looked at our data and attendance in term one was higher than last year, but it is still behind 2019.
"But the interesting thing is even though attendance is lagging, academic performance has been sustained and even improved slightly in some areas."
He said the Covid experience had led to a change in attituded towards wellbeing.
"I think Covid has taught us, if you are unwell stay home until you are well."
Walters said his school moved to "a hybrid learning style" 10 years ago, embracing online learning alongside learning in the classroom.
It allowed students to continue learning and engage with teachers when absent from school.
The results indicated it was working, he said.
Oxford Area School principal Mike Hart said attendance improved significantly in term one this year at 61.9%, compared to 43.7% for term one last year.
"Pre Covid-19 attendance in term one 2019 was 71.7% regular attendance, so we still have improvements to make, but the data so far is trending in the right direction."
Comment has been sought from the Ministry of Education and Education Minister Jan Tinetti's office.
In 2018, a NZ company trialled the four-day week and claimed a 20% increase in productivity, encouraging them to make the change permanent. A four-day work week means employees are paid for 40 hours but only work 32 of those. Should this be rolled out across the country where possible? Give us your… View moreIn 2018, a NZ company trialled the four-day week and claimed a 20% increase in productivity, encouraging them to make the change permanent. A four-day work week means employees are paid for 40 hours but only work 32 of those. Should this be rolled out across the country where possible? Give us your vote and share any thoughts below.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.
By David Hill, local democracy reporter
The Waimakariri District Council is providing ongoing support following the cyclone in the North Island.
Mayor Dan Gordon says his council is continuing to provide support to the Wairoa District Council as part of Local Government New Zealand’s (LGNZ)… View moreBy David Hill, local democracy reporter
The Waimakariri District Council is providing ongoing support following the cyclone in the North Island.
Mayor Dan Gordon says his council is continuing to provide support to the Wairoa District Council as part of Local Government New Zealand’s (LGNZ) Adopt-a-Community campaign.
Council staff and civil defence volunteers also spent time in Auckland and Hawkes Bay in the aftermath of the Cyclone Gabrielle and the flood events.
"We made a considerable contribution, recognising that we too were supported in our time of need after the Canterbury earthquakes.
"There will be ongoing support for Wairoa, including a donation."
In all, nine emergency operations staff spent a combined 128 days in Auckland and Hawke's Bay.
The council also sent three building inspectors and seven NZRT12 civil defence volunteers to Auckland after the cyclone and flood events.
"I acknowledge the contribution they made with time out from their families and the NZRT12 volunteers who did it in their own personal time," Gordon said.
Wairoa mayor Craig Little said his district has been overwhelmed with the generosity and support it has received in the aftermath of the cyclone.
He said the support received through the Adopt-a-Community campaign has been particularly "humbling".
Six mayors and councils have reached out to show their support for Wairoa, including Gordon.
The other mayors included Tory Whanau (Wellington), David Moore (Ōpōtiki), Phil Nixon (South Taranaki), Craig Rowley (Waimate) and Tania Gibson (Grey District).
"The Mayors have been driving these initiatives and encouraging donations to their adopted community’s Mayoral Relief Fund," Little said.
"It is so great that these councils have been there for us, they know how difficult our recovery is and the fact they are supporting us is really reassuring."
Little said more than $500,000 from the Wairoa Mayoral Relief Fund has been distributed to those in need.
The priority was to support people to get back into their homes and supporting community, businesses and farms to rebuild.
He said he could not thank the councils enough for their support and financial contributions.
"It is not until you go through a disaster like this that you appreciate the help you receive from other councils and organisations and realise how vital that support is."
Wairoa is a north Hawke's Bay town, between Napier and Gisborne.
Now’s a great time to dress up your walls with 25% off the huge range of the latest Resene Wallpaper styles. Come in and see us today at your local Resene ColorShop!
The last dates have been booked for our South Island Tour!
Each year our breast health nurses travel around New Zealand in our iconic Pink Caravan, to talk about mammograms, offer advice about checking your breasts, healthy lifestyles and family risk.
Our nurses have valuable advice about … View moreThe last dates have been booked for our South Island Tour!
Each year our breast health nurses travel around New Zealand in our iconic Pink Caravan, to talk about mammograms, offer advice about checking your breasts, healthy lifestyles and family risk.
Our nurses have valuable advice about symptoms, treatments, support groups and post-surgery options. The breast care nurses have visual and hands-on displays of breast cancer symptoms that most haven’t seen before, and will use prosthetic breasts to show what a lump feels like.
Our breast nurses would love to have a chat to you so pop in and say hi. We’ll be at the locations below on the following dates:
Wednesday, 24 May 2023
Aranui Community Trust Incorporated Society
37 Hampshire Street, Aranui
Thursday, 25 May 2023
He Waka Tapu
161 Pages Road, Wainoni, Christchurch 8061
Sunday, 28 May 2023
Ricarton Market
Riccarton Park, Racecourse Road, Christchurch
Monday, 29 May 2023
City Mission
288 Worchester Street, Christchurch
Tuesday, 30 May 2023
Amberley Countdown
Brackenfields Retail Centre, 129 Carters Road, Amberley 7410
Wednesday, 31 May 2023
Te Pou Toetoe: Linwood Pool
141 Smith Street, Linwood, Christchurch 8062
Thursday, 1 June 2023
New World Durham Street
175 Durham Street South, Christchurch
Elemental AKL returns this July & August with 30+ curated events that celebrate the best Arts, Eats and Beats of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
For 17 days, Auckland will come alive with incredible concerts from international headliners, table talk with top chefs over curated dining … View moreElemental AKL returns this July & August with 30+ curated events that celebrate the best Arts, Eats and Beats of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
For 17 days, Auckland will come alive with incredible concerts from international headliners, table talk with top chefs over curated dining experiences, immersive and interactive art installations, side-splitting live theatre, glittering city lights and more.
Learn more at aucklandnz.com/elemental
Dear neighbours, every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of reader recipes using a seasonal crop. This month, we're on the hunt for shell-out bean recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by May 29, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the July issue of NZ Gardener.
For only $15 a ticket, you could win this brand new, fully-furnished home in stunning Taupō.
Worth over $1 million and built to perfection by Jennian homes, this brand new home features three bedrooms, two bathrooms and boasts a stylish open-plan kitchen, living and dining area for year-round … View moreFor only $15 a ticket, you could win this brand new, fully-furnished home in stunning Taupō.
Worth over $1 million and built to perfection by Jennian homes, this brand new home features three bedrooms, two bathrooms and boasts a stylish open-plan kitchen, living and dining area for year-round entertainment and comfort.
Situated a short three-minute drive from the shores of Lake Taupō, make this property your permanent residence, a holiday home, rent it or even sell it – it could be all yours for only $15! Be in to win by purchasing your tickets today.
For any painting and decorating projects contact the friendly team at Enviro Painters
We’ve always been there to tell your story, Mainland. Now we’re online too. Get fierce independent journalism with uncompromising South Island commentary, sports, business, environment, games and more. Subscribe to The Press online for less than a dollar a day.
Neighbours - we have something very special to tell you about...
Stuff's inaugural Love Your Local Awards, presented by Pure South, celebrate our most loved hospitality people and places. Nominate your most-loved local people and places, and then vote for your favourite amongst the … View moreNeighbours - we have something very special to tell you about...
Stuff's inaugural Love Your Local Awards, presented by Pure South, celebrate our most loved hospitality people and places. Nominate your most-loved local people and places, and then vote for your favourite amongst the finalists, to determine our regional winners.
You're invited to nominate your:
- Most Loved Food Truck or takeaway
- Most Loved Roadside Stall
- Most Loved Barista
- Most Loved Bartender or Publican
- Most Loved Front of House/Service Person or Team
- Most Loved New Business (open less than 12 months)
Your vote will put your 'Most Loved' up for the national title in each category as determined by our incredible judging panel including New Zealand chef Peter Gordon, Eat New Zealand CEO and owner of permaculture property The Food Farm Angela Clifford, and Stuff food editor Emily Brookes.
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