Federation Flyer 2014

Federation Flyer 2014

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President’s Message Federation Flyer 23 – 17 October 2014

NZPF No: 2802 - Radio

Tēnā koe

Welcome to the final term of the year with all that heralds. I hope that things go smoothly and well, and that you all get to Christmas in one piece.

The Federation held its annual conference in Invercargill in the final week of term, and it was quite a revelation. It is staggering to see what a licensing trust can do in a rural town to provide world class facilities and a first class venue for a professional gathering that punched well above its weight. The next issue of NZ Principal magazine will report on the keynote speakers but the warmth of our Southland welcome, the innovative social programme and well-appointed venue, all contributed to a great week.

The city is home to a world class velodrome, which was used to host a fiercely competitive regional cycling contest made up of teams of principals and the 46 degrees of wooden slope certainly made the experience exciting for those who had a ride. The spacious venue and great food ensured a convivial conference with plenty of opportunity to network, catch up with old friends, and to interact with the many sponsors and business partners who attended.

I wish to publically thank the entire Southland organising team, ably led by convenor Ben Witheford, and supported by the Southland Principals’ Association and its president, Wendy Ryan. The organising company was Core Education whose staff were responsive and enthusiastically helpful throughout.

NZPF’s annual conference has developed and changed over the years, and what worked superbly twenty years ago is less fit to purpose today. Now principals are looking at a plethora of opportunities for their professional development, in a wide variety of locations. Years of successful conferences have delivered some healthy profits to the larger regions hosting them but have left some schools scratching their heads over the registration costs. Meanwhile, schools in smaller regions which do not have the facilities for hosting our conference struggle from year to year to deliver more localised professional learning opportunities.

The Federation is starting a national discussion to explore these challenges and to refresh the national conference format and rules to ensure it is absolutely fit to purpose. This discussion needs to consider costs, profit sharing especially to the smaller regions, suitable and preferred venues, and other aspects of design which will ensure continued support from you and your colleagues, well into the future. This review will reach out to regional associations and seek your views on the strengths and weaknesses of your national event, and endeavour to build on those strengths to ensure that the NZPF Conference is your first choice for professional learning every year.

2015 will see the conference held here in Wellington, and already the organising committee has completed much of its work, with a website open right now just waiting for your registration, at www.nzpfconference2015.co.nz. In fact, you can split the costs across two years if that suits your school’s budget needs, but check out the site, the programme, the venue, and the keynotes – I’m sure you will be impressed.

Noho reira, noho ora mai ra

Philip Harding
philha@nzpf.ac.nz

UPCOMING DATES
November 1
November 21-22 Rural Conference/Seminar applications close
NZPF Executive Committee Meeting, Wellington
NZPF RURAL GRANTS
NZPF annually gives out rural grants of $1000 to rural principals’ groups, to assist them to hold their own conference or seminars. Applications close on 1 November.
For further information and an application form click here. Applications need to be made now for funding in 2015
CHANGES TO ARRANGEMENTS FOR PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION OF TEACHERS
If you have provisionally registered teachers in your school, then it may be necessary for them to undertake a Teacher Education Refresh (TER) programme in order to obtain registration and a practising certificate.

These changes were announced in 2012 after consultation with the sector and are intended to ensure all teachers are up to date with the current education system. Being fully registered, making satisfactory progress towards full registration or successfully completing the TER programme provides assurance around the high quality of teachers with current practising certificates.

TER programmes provide up to date information on current teaching practice. The TER programme is accessible through three providers. Both English and Maori mediums are catered for, as well as all sectors (ECE, primary, secondary).

What to do next
Provisionally registered teachers to whom this applies (and those with teaching qualifications who have never registered) are encouraged to give attention now to what action they might need to take to ensure they can get a practising certificate in the future.

Professional leaders who employ provisionally registered teachers (including day relievers or teachers in part time/fixed term positions) should discuss this issue with any staff who might be in the situation of needing to take some action because of these changes.

For provisionally registered teachers who believe their individual circumstances might warrant special consideration there is a review process. The evidence required and thresholds that need to be met for consideration of a case can be seen on the Council’s website.

Further information on these changes and the TER programme is available on the Teachers Council website at:www.teacherscouncil.govt.nz/content/teacher-education-refresh-ter-programme

Alternatively please contact the Teachers Council directly if you would like to talk through your situation
phone: (04) 471 0852 or email: TER@teacherscouncil.govt.nz

REDUCING SCHOOL ARSONS
Every November the number of school fires doubles
Most school fires are started by young people using nearby rubbish and combustible items. Schools are four times more likely to be targeted by fire-setters than all other buildings.

You can take simple, low-cost steps to improve fire safety and reduce the likelihood of arson.

Click here to download the pdf explaining the five steps you can immediately take to protect your school.
WORLD PREMATURITY DAY
WORLD PREMATURITY DAY – THE NEONATAL TRUST

World Prematurity Day is on 17 November each year. It is held to raise awareness about premature babies and their families worldwide. This year The Neonatal Trust will be holding our first National Awareness Campaign to acknowledge World Prematurity Day and to celebrate all those babies who were born premature or sick, who are now growing up, at school, and beyond.

The Neonatal Trust is a registered charity which aims to help and support parents with premature or sick full-term babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Units and Special Care Baby Units across New Zealand.

Every year in New Zealand approximately 10% of all babies are born premature (before 37 weeks gestation). There will be thousands of children in New Zealand schools whose family and friends have experienced a neonatal journey and who may wish to acknowledge or even celebrate World Prematurity Day. With this in mind, we are seeking your assistance in raising awareness.

For more information on World Prematurity Day and how your school could help raise awareness (including suggested basic and adaptable lesson plans), please click here

DANCE FEVER MULTISPORT
Thank you for taking the time to speak with us at the Conference in Invercargill. We are a Multi Sport Company that offers full curriculum compliant programmes in Dance, Gymnastics, Skipping and Athletics since 1999.

We are offering a special promotion to all delegates from the Conference. You can have any of our programs for just $3.00 per student per week.

If you are able to co-ordinate your cluster of schools to also participate, the cost of the program will be significantly less, according to the number of students involved within the cluster.

The best way to learn about our programmes is via our website where you can also watch our videoswww.dancefever.net/videos

We fully guarantee that you will receive very high quality programs from Australia’s most reputable provider, Dancefever Multi Sport.
A DAY MADE BETTER – OFFICE MAX REWARDS TOP TEACHERS
Fifteen of New Zealand’s top primary and intermediate school teachers have been awarded and thanked this month through the OfficeMax A Day Made Better programme.

Recognising the contribution of teachers who go above and beyond the call of duty, each teacher was provided with a surprise event, flowers, a certificate and more than $1,000 worth of OfficeMax arts, crafts and stationery supplies.

The A Day Made Better team was joined by special guests, including members of the New Zealand Principals’ Federation (NZPF) and members of Sticky TV, as they travelled across the country to surprise the winning teachers in their classrooms.

OfficeMax New Zealand’s National Manager, Government & Education, Blair Horsfall said that the standard was incredibly high, credited in part to the fact that it’s a peer nominated programme that needed the endorsement of other experts in the teaching field, such as the teachers and principals the nominee worked with.

New Zealand teachers that were recognised included:
Mr Damian Burden, Kaikorai Valley College, Dunedin

Mrs Elaine Soich, Kamo School, Whangarei

Mrs Viv Norris, Omata School, New Plymouth

Mr Luke Willis, Melville Intermediate, Hamilton

Mrs Lisa Johnston, Riverton School, Riverton

Mrs Rochelle Watson, Te Puke Primary School, Te Puke

Mrs Sara Mines, St Michael’s Catholic School, Rotorua

Mrs Kathy Mehrtens, Windwhistle School, Darfield Mrs Michelle Picard, Fraser Crescent School, Upper Hutt

Ms Rita Brooking, Manurewa Intermediate School, Manukau

Mrs Sarah Hearn, St Peter’s College, Palmerston North

Mrs Sharon Allen, Te Kowhai School; Hamilton

Miss Trish Weaver, Rapaura School, Blenheim

Mrs Yvonne Toa, Tahuna Normal Intermediate, Dunedin

Mrs Benita Mareikura, Napier Intermediate School, Napier

To find out more about OfficeMax New Zealand and this year’s A Day Made Better surprises or the programme, visitwww.adaymadebetter.co.nz

ends

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