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Linda Miller, Principal
 
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Principal's Report

Ms L. Miller, Principal —

“The quality of an education system cannot exceed the quality of its teachers.”

These are the words of Pasi Sahlberg, a global expert on the delivery of effective compulsory education, who was a speaker at the Secondary Principals’ of New Zealand conference I attended earlier this week. This inextricable link between the quality of teachers and the quality of education is the reason for the unprecedented industrial action that is occurring throughout our country at present. Yesterday’s budget announced funding for the training of an additional 2480 teachers. While this is essential to ensure there are enough teachers in front of classes in the future, attracting the right people into the profession is even more important. We will not attract the right people if the salary they are offered is far below what they could earn in other professions. I am very aware of the disruption to families and to learning from the strikes and rostering home that is occurring however the future of our education system is at stake here and I would urge you to support the teachers.

Also announced in yesterday’s budget was the payment by the Ministry of Education of $150 per student each year to Decile 1 to 7 schools that remove the voluntary donation component of their school fees. This is recognition of the importance of this additional source of funding in order to run schools. As a Decile 8 school we will not be eligible for this funding. Our annual donation, or activity fee, is $160 and is used to fund many of the activities we carry out in the school. These include paying for buses to enable students to attend full school events such as cross-country and celebration practice, hiring sports facilities such as Moana Pool and the Caledonian for whole school events, the school library and sports equipment. We rely on parents paying this donation as without it we could not provide the range of experiences we do without cutting into other areas of our operations. Thank you to all parents who willingly pay this charge. Considering the range and quality of facilities and opportunities we provide, it is very good value for money.

I trust you will enjoy the long weekend ahead and a reminder that Year 9 students are rostered home on Tuesday 4 May.