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Zealand Catholic Primary Principals' Nga
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NZCPPA President’s Report
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
New Zealand Catholic Primary Principals' Association
Secretary: Mark Gregory
C/- St Joseph's School
4 Vagues Road
Papanui
Christchurch 8052
Email: principal@stjopapa.school.nz
14/08/10
Dear Colleagues
I write to you in my new role on the NZCPPA executive as your association's President.
I have been on the executive of NZCPPA since the very early days of the association and until now have been the Treasurer of the NZCPPA. I trained as a teacher at Loreto Hall Catholic Teachers' College from 1976 - 1978, teaching at St Mary's Catholic School in Northcote Auckland in 1979 and 1980. My career then took me to Cambridge as DRS at St Peters Catholic School. My principal appointments have all been in Catholic schools, St Joseph's Matamata, St James' Palmerston North and for the last eleven years at Marian Catholic School in Hamilton.
There are two issues currently that have taken a lot of energy and time for our principals over the course of this year. The first is that of National Standards and the implications for principals, teachers and students. No doubt many of you were just as annoyed as your executive when reading the directive from the NZSTA last week. As professionals who are concerned about our children and their learning, we have a responsibility to engage in debate and attempts to silence us seem somewhat undemocratic. Your executive has released the following statement on the National Standards;
The NZCPPA's stance on the National Standards.
At a recent meeting of the Executive, members unanimously supported the New
Zealand Principal's Federation stance on the implementation of the National
Standards.
The executive agrees that the introduction of the Standards has been rushed
and that they are fundamentally flawed.
The Executive encourages principals to engage their staff, Boards of Trustees
and communities in debate that addresses both the advantages and disadvantages
of the National Standards.
The NZCPPA holds the common view that the Standards diminish the sacredness
of the child, labels them as failures and that the Standards lack a holistic
approach to learning.
NZCPPA is not opposed to National Standards but is opposed to them in their
current form.
The Digital RE Resource
The second issue is that of the Digital RE Resource. From discussions around
the executive table, it is obvious that our members are not happy with the
way this resource has been funded and introduced. I can assure you that the
executive has made your concerns known to Br Kevin Wanden, the Director of
NCRS. I am pleased to announce that Br Kevin has included representation from
the NZCPPA at his consultation meeting of Diocesan Principals and DRSs in
October.
Your executive met in Wellington last week and the snippets below give you a good indication of the matters discussed.
NZCPPA MEETING SNIPPETS
19th August 2010.
The meeting started with two sponsor presentations. ASB discussed and demonstrated
their School Financial Literacy programme and Watermans Innovations Ltd demonstrated
their Mimio Interactive whiteboards.
" Regional groups presented their reports and discussion took place as
to the various activities.
" A representative reported on the NZPF National Standards meeting held
in Wellington recently. The business has been covered in emails from NZPF
but points concerning NZPF's position to date and their intentions as they
move forward were discussed.
NZCPPA fully supports the NZPF and NZEI stance on National Standards. NZCPPA
is not opposed to the concept of National Standards but is opposed to the
National Standards in their present form.
NZCPPA encourages our communities to engage in debate over the Standards.
A statement prepared by NZCPPA will be made available to schools so that it
could be inserted in newsletters and various other publications.
" A proposal by Paul Engles [Principal of St Mary's, Northcote] was discussed.
Paul's proposal was to request that all RE resources are digitized and that
the current charge of $16 be extended over time, in order to do so. Paul is
willing to pursue this concept with Br Kevin Wanden. Paul's proposal had the
unanimous support of both the Auckland Catholic Primary Principals' Assoc
[ACPPA] and NZCPPA. However, NZCPPA is to pursue the idea of a reduced annual
cost [perhaps $7 per child rather than the current $16] over a period of perhaps
15-20 years and a commercial loan is considered to cover this.
NCRS is holding a meeting on 27th October to review the RE resource and to
identify future developmental needs. Stasia Kennedy will attend this meeting
on behalf of NZCPPA.
" Mufti Mania funds have been very much appreciated. Executive members
have been asked to phone schools and give them a gentle reminder if they haven't
yet contributed.
" Christchurch Principals' Association raised the matter of teachers
attending the Sexuality course on Saturdays. Did other Associations / Principals
give a day in lieu? Should NZCPPA have a recommendation? The committee determined
that this was a local association matter as the courses are being delivered
within their dioceses and there were variations across NZ.
" "Making a Difference" proposal was presented in draft. Brochures
and letters to principals to be sent out in Term 4 in preparation for the
2011 year. [watch this space!]
" Discussion took place about the NZCPPA awards. We need to promote these
more as they are wonderful awards and are under subscribed.
" Sponsors update: Gold = Sharp, Silver = Programmed Property Services,
ASB, Waterman Innovations Ltd, Bronze = Furnware.
" Kathy Moy-Low requested that the Executive support further negotiation
with OfficeMax regarding sponsorship.
" Catholic Schools Convention will be held in Wellington on 8th, 9th
and 10th of August 2012.
" Catholic Schools Day May 2013.
" If you are in a region of growth and are close to your maximum roll
you need to be talking to your proprietor. Applications close on the 31st
August.
" Catholic Schools of the future need to work together. Clustering of
ideas and initiatives between schools should be encouraged because we cannot
afford to work in silos. We need to consider sharing resources, personnel,
good practice etc.
" Prospective Principals Scheme has been most successful.
" 34 Catholic schools are in the first round of the ICT Government Initiative.
" Check your school web sites to ensure that school fees notices are
clear and within the law. MoE officials are looking at them. Please avoid
using the word levy, use the word donation instead.
" The Common Good paper is in the process of being signed off and is
likely to come out in the next few months. (You will understand what this
means when the detail comes out next term).
Your executive meets again in November and we are very keen to hear back from
each Diocesan Association regarding any issues that are causing your association
concern. Please make sure that you give clear direction to your Representatives
on the National Association so that they are able to speak on your behalf.
Once again I urge you to support our sponsors when seeking products. The NZCPPA sponsors are;
" SHARP for photocopiers and AV equipment including televisions.
" ASB
" Waterman's for Mimio boards.
" Furnware Ltd for school furniture,
" Programmed Property Services
Best wishes for the remainder of the school term.
Regards
John Coulam
President
NZCPPA
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