Save Our Schools NZ
The goal of Save Our Schools NZ is to protect and promote quality public education by discussing what changes would benefit the system and challenging ill-judged education policies that hinder good teaching and effective learning.
We aim to share information about education policy, changes, and resources for parents and teachers in New Zealand, so that we can stay informed and, where necessary, take action to effect change.
SPEAK OUT
Click here for a list of New Zealand MPs’ email addresses
Click here for email addresses of NZ Newspapers
Click here to make an Official Information Act request
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We Don’t Need Your Charter Schools
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WEB PAGES & BLOGS
Leading and Learning – ideas about transforming education as we know it
Kelvin Smythe speaks out about education
Stand Up For Kids: Protect Our Schools – for parents, families, and educators
The Daily Blog – 40+ of NZ’s progressive opinion shapers
Scoop Independent News – Kiwi education news
SOSNZ Express – a daily education news roundup
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TWITTER TWEEPS
Join Twitter here and then follow some of the people below to get info on what’s going on in education here and abroad:
Diane Ravitch – a pre-eminent U.S. education expert & activist
Allan Alach – Interested observer of education, politics & life in general
Pasi Sahlberg – Finnish education improvement activist
melulater – a Kiwi teacher in a small rural school
Bronwyn Hayward – NZ author, political scientist, and advocate for kids
boonman – Kiwi husband father teacher
Karran Harper Royal – Parent activist in New Orleans
Save Our Schools NZ – talking education and NZ politics
PPTA – Post Primary Teachers Association
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“When you wage war on the public schools, you’re attacking the mortar that holds the community together. You’re not a conservative, you’re a vandal.”
~Garrison Keillor~
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Now – Don’t just Moan – Don’t just Worry – DO something
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Let me know if there is another link you would like me to add.
Save Our Schools NZ 
Hi Dianne,
For many years now a group of fellow principals and I have met for professional collaboration and general sharing of ideas. We are now a well flung group from Little River near Chch to Nelson and beyond but we continue to get together 3-4 times per year.
For the first time ever we felt we should speak out and so put together this statement about the $359 000 000. We don’t believe that an extra layer of bureaucracy is the best use of such a large sum.
Press Release 3 April 2014 – for immediate release Attention: Education and Political Reporters
PUT OUR CHILDREN FIRST
We wish to add our voices to the growing number of New Zealand’s principals expressing concern over the government’s direction, implementation and timeframe of its Investing in Education Success initiative. While acknowledging the commitment in making New Zealand’s education system second to none, pumping $359 million into schools without transparency and meaningful engagement with the sector is throwing the money away. We urgently ask that the government first lift its constraints already placed around the funding and secondly, consider without prejudice, the overwhelming evidence around what can best be done to support our children and ultimately our society as a whole.
New Zealand evidence based research1 provides a clear pathway for governments to follow if they are to effect real change for our children particularly the ones who comprise the tail. The first three years of a child’s life clearly determines future outcomes for that child and ultimately our nation. Research shows clearly that poor patterns of behaviour, disconnectedness, failure to provide for adequate bonding, limited economic involvement etc., all have an effect on a child’s potential and achievement at school. Targeting resources to developing consistent, sustainable support for our children from birth to three years old will be a better spend than on the leadership proposals of the government. If positive patterns are not supported in these early years then the negative patterns are set for the future.
While the support for schools and the education sector is welcomed, we urge the government to meaningfully and collaboratively engage with the education sector without the straightjacket, in order to determine where best that resource can be applied, to effect real change.
Democracy should not exclude or restrict those who are directly engaged in the delivery of service from informing decisions – decision-making needs to be inclusive and transparent. The government’s willingness to provide significant financial resources to lift achievement around supporting change should be the catalyst to engage with the profession to effect the best possible outcomes. Unfortunately the format for this expenditure has been set with deliberately minimal opportunity for input from the sector – consultation being an ‘added extra after the fact.’
Rather than inject a large single resource at the top via salaries, we say give the money to the kids as early as possible in a real effort to effect long term change that will benefit children, families, and society as a whole.
Kelvin Woodley – Principal Tapawera Area School Bruce Pagan – Principal Kaikoura Primary School Ernie Buutveld – Principal Havelock School Christian Couper – Principal Little River School Peter King – Principal Maruia School
For more information contact:
Kelvin Woodley – Principal Tapawera Area School 021 024 75147 or 03 522 4337 kwoodley@tapawera.school.nz
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Posted by Kelvin Woodley | April 10, 2014, 8:41 amHow do I contact someone at SOS Thanks David davidmetis@gmail.com
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Posted by wertei | March 16, 2015, 2:15 pmYou can email sosnzmail@gmail.com
~ Dianne
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Posted by Save Our Schools NZ | March 21, 2015, 4:58 pm