[irishliz]

Another thread threw up the issue of schools and the standard of education in NZ. I did think about replying on that thread about our experience but didn't want to enter the debate at that point. But for those of you thinking of immigrating and seeing that thread - like everything opinions and schools differ. It is very easy to focus on the negative and I can only offer up our experience.

Our two boys came from what was regarded as one of the top state primary schools in terms of results in the UK. Our oldest completed his year 2 SATS last year and excelled. Our second son is a very bright and able child as well. One of our concerns before we came was the standard of education in NZ. This came from the fact we knew nothing about it except what we had read on the education ministry website and forums like this. We did some background research, looked at schools reports, spoke to people here in Wellington, and visited quite a few when we arrived. We chose the school because the head was open and welcoming, the children looked happy, the environment was stimulating, and staff spoke to the children very nicely. We also loved the 'feel' of the place and its school report was excellent.

Well - our opinion so far (we have been here 6 months) is that the school the boys attend is brilliant. The work they are engaged in is varied, interesting, with lots of focus on the basics - maths, writing, english, etc. There is also lots of time for creative activities and plenty of willing teachers and parents for the extra-curricular activities. Unlike our old school, parent involvement is positively encouraged, and an open-door policy is practiced outside of teaching time. Tomorrow I am having a meeting with one of the boy's class teachers, the headmaster and another member of staff to discuss our son's needs in terms of keeping him engaged, challenged and focused - at their instigation.

We are absolutely delighted and while I recognise not all schools are good, in our opinion there are very good schools in NZ. Like anything it is a case of some basic research and visiting schools when you arrive. We are very lucky our boys settled well which has made the whole process for us even better.

As I said before I am not trying to start a debate but hope to highlight what we think is a very positive experience for us in relation to our primary school.

[shakyle2906]

Hi

I agree with you IrishLiz, our son goes to Frimley school here in Hastings, which has won several awards for best school., etc.

I had heard it had a very good reputation before we enrolled him, but have to admit the staff are fantastic.

Kyle our son is 5.5 and has settled so well. In last weeks parents/teachers meeting, we had glowing reports on him(posted in lounge under 'another proud mum').

They are full of encouragement, caring and very approachable people, from the receptionist at the school office, to the teachers, to the head master.

I couldnt have picked a better school for him!

Sharon
x

[StevieD]

Yup, couldn't agree more. Before we left UK we were told by the head teacher that our eldest had gone as far as he could go, they couldn't offer any more help to him.

Here, different thing altogether. He has been entered on university designed extra maths courses, and is challenged at every opportunity. Our kids love their school, have rarely ever not wanted to go (unless there was something going on, but that is counted on one hand!!) and have a great balance with work and sports activities. We love it, great community and one that pulls together at every opportunity.

[Sam B]

Yep, my experience is that the schools here are ACE!!!!

[marcia]

I have to agree - i think the the school our boys go to is brilliant, always open to discuss any issues, teachers ringing us up if there is any issues (we've had a couple of issues with a minority picking on the boys and calling them 'poms' in a very offensive way - but this was picked up by the teachers and dealt with - even the teachers weren't actually aware of the background of the word POM and how some people make take offense at it!)

Our boys are bright came away from the Uk with high SAT results, butthey are being challenged and extended here, and one of the things I really do like is the way the school tries to build up the childrens self esteem, the children hold their own assemblies, and each class has to do this through the year. Our eldest who has always been a bit quieter, and not as confident has been made house leader and is attending a young leaders conference in Wellington next week - this has already boosted his confidence (and we are so proud of him too! :D ) The boys have competed in interschools mathex competions, cross country, swimming, they have been sailing, and this year will be going on camps (again our eldest is a bit wary of this but is getting lots of encourage and support from school about the trip!)

I was a school governor in the Uk and always felt that the kids were tested and pushed too much towards passing their SATS with a high level for the school and government statistics not necessarily for the childs benefit, thye didn't have time to extend on things that may crop up unexpected, (keep to the curriculm and practise more old SAT papers!) Sometimes it felt like they were learning too much too soon, and you could see how the teenagers were burnt out by the tim they came to gcse's etc.

Here they are learning, but don't seem to pushed as hard, as early on. (maybe you prefer your kids to be pushed hard, but life is hard enough as you get older let them enjoy their childhood)

New Zealand produces plenty of good doctors, dentists and high level professionals so the education system must be doing something right! :yes

[kowhai]

New Zealand produces plenty of good doctors, dentists and high level professionals so the education system must be doing something right! :yes

Thats exactly what I was going to say !

[Tia Maria]

We've got a good primary school here in NZ, and also had one in the UK.

The NZ one is better with:

* Outdoor facilities (swimming pool, playground equipment)
* Inclusiveness of parents and younger siblings
* Encouraging independence

The UK one was better with:

* Technology equipment - PCs etc
* More multicultural
* More varied extra curricular (languages, music etc)

I found they both taught the 3 Rs well, although differently, and my son was keen to go to both, which is half the battle!

However, the way the NZ schools wins for me is the way that parents, (and pre-schoolers), are welcomed into the school, whether for a chat, as teacher help, to do jump jam, singing or to watch an assembly. I really feel like I know my son's friends, can approach his teacher or the head teacher and generally have a feel for what he does each day.

At the UK school we were welcome by appointment only and were asked not to enter the school as it was considered too disruptive.

There will be good and bad schools in all countries, but the advantage you have, as a new immigrant, is that you can do your research and move to an area which is known to have a good school. We made this a priority and it paid off for us.

Cheers

Tia

[Carol]

I have a good friend who is on her OE at the moment and is teaching in Luton. I was actually just talking to her last night....

Her opinion?
(She is a kiwi and has taught for almost 20 years)


Teaching in the UK has made her into a very lazy teacher.
Very easy plans to follow and (her words) "regurgitate"
Little room for creativity.
And this yewar has been a total write off for her class anyway - because they have their SATS next term - and she has been teaching to the test (as required by the school!!) for the entire year.


I have to say at this point - that she was possibly one of the most creative and innovative teachers I know. (I worked with her for about 7 years).
And her skills in teaching numeracy and literacy were second to none.

She admits - she can't wait to get back here to teach "properly" and is very very concerned that things could go the same way....... should certain political parties get their own way if elected.
:roll

[StevieD]

Very interesting Carol, and just confirms the experience we had at our kids last school, that is all they were aiming for, they were even actively trying to get us to delay our departure so Kieran could sit the SAT's!

[Carol]

The worst thing Steve - is she said she actually considered not "going with the flow" and teaching thematically and to need (subject based).
However....
She thought that ultimatelyit wasnt fair on the kids to do that - because the SATS scores are given such a (ridiculously) high level of importance that she just had to do the same thing as everyone else.....
Sad but true.
And a system I am SO glad I got out of long long ago....

[napiers]

I was a school governor in the Uk and always felt that the kids were tested and pushed too much towards passing their SATS with a high level for the school and government statistics not necessarily for the childs benefit, thye didn't have time to extend on things that may crop up unexpected, (keep to the curriculm and practise more old SAT papers!) Sometimes it felt like they were learning too much too soon, and you could see how the teenagers were burnt out by the tim they came to gcse's etc.

Here they are learning, but don't seem to pushed as hard, as early on. (maybe you prefer your kids to be pushed hard, but life is hard enough as you get older let them enjoy their childhood)

New Zealand produces plenty of good doctors, dentists and high level professionals so the education system must be doing something right! :yes



I just wanted to comment on this quote and StevieD's comment (and those of you with similar views). I'm a primary school teacher in the UK, currently teaching year 6 and therefore the dreaded Sats are fast approaching. I totally agree with these comments and have felt at times in my school this year that the fact that these kids are 10-11 years old is forgotten in the push for results. The pressure has been piled on us (partly due to not great results last year ) and my class have responded brilliantly and have worked so hard, I know that part of that is that I have a really good relationship with them and know when it's time to give them a break. They were also ready to 'buckle down and work' as the last 2/3 years have been tough for them for various reasons. I've had to battle with the leadership (& I am one of them) for everything I've done and have had a real conflict at times between children and school. I know this is by no means unique to my school and that many are far far more pressured than us.

When we first discussed moving to NZ I arranged to spend a few days in a school on one of our visits and loved it. My view was that the same quality and quantity of work was done but in a far more relaxed atmosphere. Many initiatives we have adopted come from NZ and Australia and they were evident but not being forced onto people in the same way. In my school we are lucky as, apart from in year 6 :roll , we are given a great deal of freedom within our curriculum to encourage creativity and motivation for staff and children which is very different to many schools I know.

I love my job and where I work - leaving there will probably be as hard as leaving my family - but I am really forward to teaching in a different environment without the same kinds of pressures. :yes

I could say so much more about all of this but won't for all your sakes!

[Carey]

Following on from Carol's post :

And a system I'll be getting out of very soon if all goes to plan. I tear my hair out at times with the UK system! I teach 4-6 yr olds and fight to get it recognised that they NEED to learn through play.

Great to hear all of the above; when you started Irishliz I thought it was going to be a negative post!

[Carol]

It's interesting isn't it - that people are so different in what they want out of education for their children.

That the things that I want - and fairly obviously what all the posters in this thread want - can be SO entirely different from what other parents want.
And while even the thought of SATS for Yr 6 kids just abhors me - it isn't seen as a big deal by others....and in fact is positively welcomed...!

Just goes to show...... one man's meat etc etc etc

I know this to be true having had many a discussion with Diny when she was here (completely civil discussions I should add...) who just wanted a different approach for her kids.
There is no right or wrong.
It is all down to what feels best for you and your family.
And I do hope Diny has found what she wanted for her boys again back home..... maybe if she drops by sometime she will let us know....

And I know I harp on about this..... over and over again...but it is true.
You can only get a feel for what is going on in a school once you get here and visit them.
A "good" school to one set of parents - just may not cut it with another. And that certainly happened to us when we first got here and enrolled our son in a "recommended" primary school without really seeing it properly.

So if you are looking for a school (primary in particular) - from your current resident country - sure - try to get a picture of it from as many places as you can - but ultimately you will HAVE to go and visit to get a personal perspective.
And know that that process is absolutely normal and expected here.

[marcia]

i have to just add there to the comments in Carols post - my boys and Dinys went to the same school but as parents we had different perceptions of the school, and how our boys were being taught - so as Carols rightly says everyones perceptions are different, what works for one may not work for another.

We're currently in the dilema of choosing a high school for our eldest - and not having lived here long its hard to know which is a good school and which isn't, or which is deemed the best school - we just knew these things back in Uk and were luckily in the catchment for a good school.

The boys are saying they want to go to the same school as their mates, which we are not in the zone for, since we drive them to their school and its the other side of town, however that school has said if we get our enrolement in early we should get in, the two schools we are in the zone for, one hasn't got a very good rep, whilst the other is an all boys schools (i personally think this will be a good thing! :yes ) which has got an excellent rep, and is one of the only schools to have boys acheiving higher results than girls the same age!! It is said to be very strict, and I think our boys have been put off by their mates about it. But luckily for us a policeman friends came around on Saturday for a chat and to see Kevs car (we hadn't done anything wrong - it was social visit!) He talked to the boys quite a bit about the schools, all of them, and it was interesting how their ideas changed when he'd had a chat! So it will be a visit to all the open days, then sit down as a family and decide which 'felt' right!

[Vladimir]

Just wondering if anyone here have kids that go to Grey Lynn School or Newton Central School?
If they do what are they like as a school ?

I looked through Education Review Reports of primary schools:
Grey Lynn School - Decile rating 5
Newton Central School - Decile rating 6

Decile 1 schools draw their students from areas of greatest socio-economic disadvantage,
Decile 10 from areas of least socio-economic disadvantage.

For examlpe, Decile rating of Mt Eden Normal Primary School is 9.

[IanW99]

Just wondering if anyone here have kids that go to Grey Lynn School or Newton Central School?
If they do what are they like as a school ?

I looked through Education Review Reports of primary schools:
Grey Lynn School - Decile rating 5
Newton Central School - Decile rating 6

Decile 1 schools draw their students from areas of greatest socio-economic disadvantage,
Decile 10 from areas of least socio-economic disadvantage.

For examlpe, Decile rating of Mt Eden Normal Primary School is 9.

Don't fall into the trap that decile is all important, as you say it only tells you the background of the students not how good the school is.

Have you read the actual school reports or organised a visit to the schools so that you can see for yourself.

Ian

[Vladimir]

Thanks, Ian.


Don't fall into the trap that decile is all important, as you say it only tells you the background of the students not how good the school is.

Does low decile rating of the shcools mean than Newton and Grey Lynn are areas of high socio-economic disadvantage?

[IanW99]

Thanks, Ian.



Does low decile rating of the shcools mean than Newton and Grey Lynn are areas of high socio-economic disadvantage?

Well they have a value of 5 and 6 so that means that they are in the middle really. I would expect a fair mix of population for this area.

One advantage of a lower decile rating is that the school fees will be lower as the government provides more support for lower decile schools.

Ian