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- Tēnā Koutou Katoa
- NZCEO Update
- Policy Update
- Education News: Tapasā Video Rescources
- Beyond Conflict: Evolution, Science and God - Conference
- Sacred Space / Chapel / Prayer Space Photos Wanted
- From a Key Sponsor: The World of Bionics Explored
- Youth Parliament 2019 - Congratulations
- Schools in the Media: St John's College, Hastings, Featured in Education Gazette
- Congratulations to Students and Teachers
Signs of Hope
The anniversary of the moon landings have been hot new topics for the last week. As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing I recalled watching and listening to that moment 50 years ago at Otago University. Professor Parsonson, our history lecturer noted, “that normally we talk about history but today I urge you to listen to history being made”. We did listen and we were impressed.
I remember being struck by the number of supporting computer consoles and technicians in Houston used to ensure the safe landing and return to earth. It was a significant moment in our advance in science but 50 years later we do not seem to have made the same progress in dealing with the big issues of poverty, inclusion or care for our world. It is true that my Apple cell phone has more computing power than all the banks of consoles which supported the moon landing and that is impressive when you consider I can hold all that in the palm of my hand. What is not impressive is that our advances in science, engineering and technology seem to leave more people behind than in the past. The gap between the rich and poor seems to be exponentially bigger and that does not make a healthy society.
Is it time to ask if our education is too siloed? Schools were established for the education of the “man” including sciences and philosophy. Values and character remained a part of that for centuries. The fact that we have made such progress in technology and science is admirable. Have we created an imbalance in our focus and failed to ensure that our values and social responsibility remain a key part of preparing for adult life? We had an egalitarian society, but it appears to have lost some focus. The reduction of poverty, improvement in mental health and housing may not be as spectacular as landing on the moon but they have the potential for much greater good.
Ngā mihi,
Paul Ferris, Chief Executive Officer
NZCEO UPDATE - INTROUCING KAREN RAITT
We would like to announce the appointment of Karen Raitt as Senior Adviser and Special Projects Manager replacing Siobhan Dilly in the Catholic Education Office.
Karen is responsible for managing key projects for the office, developing publications and resources to support integrated schools and also oversees NZCEO’s brand and communications. Karen works with the Deputy CEO to deliver the New Principals Programme, teacher retreats and is a lead organiser for the Catholic Education Convention. Karen has previously held senior positions at NZSTA, has experience of integrated school governance and supporting the school system to ensure all students can reach their potential. She has worked widely in the public sector in Wellington and in the private sector in the UK.
We warmly welcome Karen, and she can be contacted via k.raitt@nzceo.org.nz or 04 496 1763
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CONGRESS - LOS ANGELES 15-18 MARCH 2019
In March this year Deputy CEO, Coddington was fortunate to attend the RE Congress in Anaheim LA, along with a small group of RE Advisors, and The Catholic Institue staff for four days. Below is her report on the event.
"It was rewarding and useful to have the group of 10 New Zealanders to experience the conference with as we collectively discussed how we would use the concepts we heard and learnt about in our own Catholic school environment.
This is a huge Conference which is preceded by a Youth Conference for High School students. There were 40,000 people attending and it is aimed at a wide range of people involved in ministries in the Church.
There were delegates (teachers, clergy, religious, parish workers principals, to name a few) from around the world gathered at the Anaheim Convention Centre.
The theme, 'Thirsting for Justice,' not only describes a condition of the heart but it also began a conversation. We were challenged to ask ourselves: "Thirsting for justice, what am I willing to do to help build the kingdom of God? How will I respond?"
The value of the Congress is the larger view that you get from being part of the wider Church, challenging, thought provoking speakers and workshops."
Take a look at the 2020 RE Congress information.
A NEW WAY TO DELIVER LEARNING SUPPORT
New Zealanders want an education system where all children and young people can take part in education and can learn and achieve, whatever their needs or differences.
One in five children and young people need some kind of learning support.
The Learning Support Action Plan 2019 - 2025 sets out priority actions that will make the most difference, to ensure that children and young people get the right support, at the right time.
To read the Learning Support Action Plan 2019-2012 Click Here
FINANCE 101 WORKSHOPS - BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The beginning of a board's term is an opportunity to better understand its role and responsibility regarding financial management.
Throughout August, September and October the Ministry of Education is running workshops to provide advice and guidance on the fundamentals of school finance.
The workshops are designed for board members, principals and business managers and will cover:
- governance and management structure in relation to school finance
- roles and responsibilities in relation to school finance
- common financial risk areas
- financial management "good practices"
- financial compliance - what your financial obligations are
- key transactions and areas of focus - common challenges in managing school finances.
Click Here for a list of workshop locations
Education News: Tapasā Video Rescources
The Teaching Council have released the following Tapasā videos.
Tapasā is for all teachers and assists us to see how we can all support the learning and wellbeing of our Pacific students.
Tapasā supports teachers’ collaboration
Our relational past and our reciprocal future
Tapasā is for everyone
Tapasā navigates diversity (ECE)
Click below to see the videos.
Sacred Space / Chapel / Prayer Space Photos Wanted
We would love to see photos of the Sacred space / Chapel / Prayer space that you have at your school. We know there are some amazing and spiritually inspiring spaces at our schools and we would love to see them and read a little about them.
Please can you email your photos to nzceooffice@nzceo.org.nz.
From a Key Sponsor: The World of Bionics Explored
Actura is proud to announce the introduction of FlipRobot STEAM Ability 2, which introduces the concept of bionics to students. Robotic learning provides a rich multidisciplinary principle base and a hands-on way for students to develop their critical STEAM-related skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, computational thinking, design thinking, collaboration, communication and most importantly curiosity and imagination. Honing these skills is essential for students to prepare themselves for success in the future. With the introduction of bionics and the foundational concepts of the FlipRobot SA2 products, we want to instill in our students the ability to think critically – particularly about the broader effects of bionics and how this will impact humanity.
At Actura, our FlipRobot Curriculum is specifically catered to student’s needs and the introduction of the SA2 FlipRobot provides students with the software, hardware and curriculum base which will help them understand the complex, but enjoyable world of bionics in their use of these exciting new tools. The Actura FlipRobot programming software includes a suite of products ranging from FlipCode (BlocklyDuino), FlipRAS (Robotics Action Script), and FlipDuino (Arduino IDE sampling). Through the FlipCloud online resource portal, teachers have easy access to the teaching material. The topics tie in with the Digital Technologies syllabus as well as being TKI Compliant in New Zealand with its Technology syllabus. Read the full article here.
Youth Parliament 2019 - Congratulations
Congratulations to the following students from integrated schools who participated in the 2019 Youth Parliament in July.
Youth MP |
Nominating MP |
School |
Belle Willemstein |
Hon Ron Mark |
St Matthew’s Collegiate, Masterton |
Ben Sokimi |
Hon Simon Bridges |
Aquinas College, Tauranga |
Charise Perez |
Hon Grant Robertson |
St Mary’s College, Wellington |
Christian Dennison |
Hon Chris Hipkins |
Hutt International Boys’ School, Trentham |
Chyna West-John |
Chris Bishop |
St Catherine’s College, Wellington |
Eperu Sa’u |
Ginny Anderson |
St Bernard’s College, Lower Hutt |
Freya Young |
Paulo Garcia |
Marian College, Christchurch |
Gabriel Tagi |
Agnes Loheni |
St Peter’s College, Auckland |
James Cowan |
Lawrence Yule |
Lindisfarne College, Hastings |
Jordan Lapish |
Hon Paula Bennett |
Kingsway School, Red Beach, Auckland |
Teresa Rodger |
Poto Williams |
Marian College, Christchurch |
Jack Buchan |
Hon David Clark |
Kavanagh College, Dunedin |
Schools in the Media: St John's College, Hastings, Featured in Education Gazette
St John's College has as article in the Education Gazette outlining their awards and media coverage from their involement in the College's Social Enterprise Programme promoting well being in their school and community.
To read about their amazing work click here
Congratulations to Students and Teachers
Marian College, Christchurch: Brie Ellen Harding and the Canterbury Baby Hawks placed second at the world Softball Championships. Kate Taylor has been selected for the NZ U16 Women's Football tour. Teacher, Miss Megan Shea is competing in the Korfball World Championships starting on the 01 August.
Sacred Heart Girl's College, New Plymouth: Ashlee Newman qualified for the NZ International Aerobics team (photo right). Cailtin O'Connell has been named in the NZU17 Basketball team and will participate in the FIBA Oceania U17 Championships, where a top-two finish secures a place in the FIBA-Asia U18 Championships in 2020.
Caritas SINGout4JUSTICE winners have been announced, Sina Finau (Y8) from Campion College, Gisborne won the Junior section of the Caritas SINGout4JUSTICE with her composition of 'Lifeline".