kids qualifications.
Nov 9th 2005, 4:24 pm
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 49
kids qualifications.
I've read plenty of threads about how well children will settle and i'm pretty optimistic that my kids will be fine, especially with all the sport. However what i've been pondering after reading things from Secondary school teachers is that IF my kids are academic and go right through the system will the higher qualifications been comparable to UK O and A levels. We have to jump through hoops at NZQA to get our qualifications verified so does that work the other way round? Is a NZ degree on the same level with one from the UK. Just wondering as my eldest will be 14 when we move.
Just like to add that my kids happiness is the most important thing to me at the end of the day and quite frankly I feel sorry at the pressure kids are under from a young age and am looking forward to that pressure being lifted and hopefully seeing some fun put back into learning (written wearing my other hat as a primary school teacher.)
Thanks for your thoughts and experiences.
Just like to add that my kids happiness is the most important thing to me at the end of the day and quite frankly I feel sorry at the pressure kids are under from a young age and am looking forward to that pressure being lifted and hopefully seeing some fun put back into learning (written wearing my other hat as a primary school teacher.)
Thanks for your thoughts and experiences.
Last edited by Fishy; Nov 9th 2005 at 5:53 pm.
Nov 9th 2005, 5:36 pm
#2
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Tauranga (for now)
Posts: 298
Re: kids qualifications.
Originally Posted by Fishy
I've read plenty of threads about how well children will settle and i'm pretty optimistic that my kids will be fine, especially with all the sport. However what i've been pondering after reading things from Secondary school teachers is that IF my kids are academic and go right through the system will the higher qualifications been comparable to UK O and A levels. We have to jump through hoops at NZQA to get our qualifications verified so does that work the other way round? Is a NZ degree on the same level with one from the UK. Just wondering as my eldest will be 14 when we move.
Just like to add that my kids happiness is the most important thing to me at the end of the day and quite frankly I feel sorry at the pressure kids are under from a young age and am looking forward to that pressure being lifted and hopefully seeing some fun put back into learning (written wearing my other hat as a primary school teacher.)
Thanbks for your thoufhts and experiences.
Just like to add that my kids happiness is the most important thing to me at the end of the day and quite frankly I feel sorry at the pressure kids are under from a young age and am looking forward to that pressure being lifted and hopefully seeing some fun put back into learning (written wearing my other hat as a primary school teacher.)
Thanbks for your thoufhts and experiences.
Nov 9th 2005, 6:38 pm
#3
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Bay of Plenty, NZ
Posts: 191
Re: kids qualifications.
Originally Posted by Fishy
I've read plenty of threads about how well children will settle and i'm pretty optimistic that my kids will be fine, especially with all the sport. However what i've been pondering after reading things from Secondary school teachers is that IF my kids are academic and go right through the system will the higher qualifications been comparable to UK O and A levels. We have to jump through hoops at NZQA to get our qualifications verified so does that work the other way round? Is a NZ degree on the same level with one from the UK. Just wondering as my eldest will be 14 when we move.
Just like to add that my kids happiness is the most important thing to me at the end of the day and quite frankly I feel sorry at the pressure kids are under from a young age and am looking forward to that pressure being lifted and hopefully seeing some fun put back into learning (written wearing my other hat as a primary school teacher.)
Thanks for your thoughts and experiences.
Just like to add that my kids happiness is the most important thing to me at the end of the day and quite frankly I feel sorry at the pressure kids are under from a young age and am looking forward to that pressure being lifted and hopefully seeing some fun put back into learning (written wearing my other hat as a primary school teacher.)
Thanks for your thoughts and experiences.
IMO a NZ degree is equally as good as one gained in the UK and in some disciplines (Medical and Vetinary science's for example) is seen by some as being better and either way is in all cases I've come across recognised in the UK.
As for school they have all thoroughly enjoyed the experience and all agree that school here was less pressured than the UK.
Anything specific you want to know then PM me - always happy to help.
Cheers
Martin
Nov 9th 2005, 6:46 pm
#4
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 692
Re: kids qualifications.
Both my kids (15 and 13) have felt much less pressured at school. They say the atmosphere is better, though some of the teachers act more like kids' mates than their teachers so the discipline in some classes is a bit lax, but that overall they prefer the school here. Swearing is much more laid back here, some of the words on telly I still wouldn't say in front of my mother, and the kids apparently swear a lot more than we're used to in the classroom.
There doesn't seem, as a parent, to have been much in the way of helping them socialise, they were buddied up for day one, after that they were on their own with only one teacher checking on one of them, once, so I was a bit disappointed there, and it's took longer than we expected for them to start having friends at the house.
Re qualifications - I understood that the NZ ones are equivalent to the UK ones, and are considered as good worldwide, if someone knows better please don't tell me because I've unpacked now!
There doesn't seem, as a parent, to have been much in the way of helping them socialise, they were buddied up for day one, after that they were on their own with only one teacher checking on one of them, once, so I was a bit disappointed there, and it's took longer than we expected for them to start having friends at the house.
Re qualifications - I understood that the NZ ones are equivalent to the UK ones, and are considered as good worldwide, if someone knows better please don't tell me because I've unpacked now!
Nov 9th 2005, 6:47 pm
#5
Galaxy 1: Cadbury's 0
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,606
Re: kids qualifications.
[QUOTE=Herm]As for school they have all thoroughly enjoyed the experience and all agree that school here was less pressured than the UK.
Does less pressured mean less academic, or just more relaxed learning?
I ask this since my 5 year old (year 1) has weekly spelling tests for example in the UK (she is at a state academic school) and whilst I would welcome a more creative, fun and nuturing approach to her learning environment in school, (read 'I do not believe SATS at 7 years old are in her interests!) she is more than able and ready for this 'pressured' education.
Any thoughts?
Does less pressured mean less academic, or just more relaxed learning?
I ask this since my 5 year old (year 1) has weekly spelling tests for example in the UK (she is at a state academic school) and whilst I would welcome a more creative, fun and nuturing approach to her learning environment in school, (read 'I do not believe SATS at 7 years old are in her interests!) she is more than able and ready for this 'pressured' education.
Any thoughts?
Nov 9th 2005, 6:56 pm
#6
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 692
Re: kids qualifications.
[QUOTE=uk+kiwi]
My kids don't feel as pressured academically as they are ahead on some of the subjects. Even Helen, who by rights should be in year 8 here, and has been put into year 9, is not struggling with the work. They get very little homework as well. Whether in the long term that's a good thing I don't know, and whether this means UK education is of better quality .... who knows? Perhaps you have to have one child have full UK schooling and one child do the majority of theirs in NZ to be able to compare but as kids are so different anyway it's difficult isn't it?
At the end of the day I expect my kids will either stay here or go to Australia, and NZ quals are strong in both, so I think they'll do ok. Even if they go back to live and work in the UK (noooooo!) I expect their quals will be accepted as well as UK ones, particularly given their ages when they left the UK.
Schooling seems more enthusiastic here, you don't get league tables and SATS and facts and figures thrown at you. One of Helen's biggest problems in her previous school was being told she was letting the whole school down if she got less than 80% on anything - what pressure is that for a kid? And that was in primary!
Originally Posted by Herm
As for school they have all thoroughly enjoyed the experience and all agree that school here was less pressured than the UK.
Does less pressured mean less academic, or just more relaxed learning?
I ask this since my 5 year old (year 1) has weekly spelling tests for example in the UK (she is at a state academic school) and whilst I would welcome a more creative, fun and nuturing approach to her learning environment in school, (read 'I do not believe SATS at 7 years old are in her interests!) she is more than able and ready for this 'pressured' education.
Any thoughts?
Does less pressured mean less academic, or just more relaxed learning?
I ask this since my 5 year old (year 1) has weekly spelling tests for example in the UK (she is at a state academic school) and whilst I would welcome a more creative, fun and nuturing approach to her learning environment in school, (read 'I do not believe SATS at 7 years old are in her interests!) she is more than able and ready for this 'pressured' education.
Any thoughts?
At the end of the day I expect my kids will either stay here or go to Australia, and NZ quals are strong in both, so I think they'll do ok. Even if they go back to live and work in the UK (noooooo!) I expect their quals will be accepted as well as UK ones, particularly given their ages when they left the UK.
Schooling seems more enthusiastic here, you don't get league tables and SATS and facts and figures thrown at you. One of Helen's biggest problems in her previous school was being told she was letting the whole school down if she got less than 80% on anything - what pressure is that for a kid? And that was in primary!
Nov 9th 2005, 7:07 pm
#7
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 49
Re: kids qualifications.
Many thanks for your experiences, if schooling is more enthusiastic , less pressurised but of equal quality then all of our kids will be lucky to have made the change.
Hope the socialising.
[QUOTE=bookemjano]
My kids don't feel as pressured academically as they are ahead on some of the subjects. Even Helen, who by rights should be in year 8 here, and has been put into year 9, is not struggling with the work. They get very little homework as well. Whether in the long term that's a good thing I don't know, and whether this means UK education is of better quality .... who knows? Perhaps you have to have one child have full UK schooling and one child do the majority of theirs in NZ to be able to compare but as kids are so different anyway it's difficult isn't it?
At the end of the day I expect my kids will either stay here or go to Australia, and NZ quals are strong in both, so I think they'll do ok. Even if they go back to live and work in the UK (noooooo!) I expect their quals will be accepted as well as UK ones, particularly given their ages when they left the UK.
Schooling seems more enthusiastic here, you don't get league tables and SATS and facts and figures thrown at you. One of Helen's biggest problems in her previous school was being told she was letting the whole school down if she got less than 80% on anything - what pressure is that for a kid? And that was in primary!
Hope the socialising.
[QUOTE=bookemjano]
Originally Posted by uk+kiwi
My kids don't feel as pressured academically as they are ahead on some of the subjects. Even Helen, who by rights should be in year 8 here, and has been put into year 9, is not struggling with the work. They get very little homework as well. Whether in the long term that's a good thing I don't know, and whether this means UK education is of better quality .... who knows? Perhaps you have to have one child have full UK schooling and one child do the majority of theirs in NZ to be able to compare but as kids are so different anyway it's difficult isn't it?
At the end of the day I expect my kids will either stay here or go to Australia, and NZ quals are strong in both, so I think they'll do ok. Even if they go back to live and work in the UK (noooooo!) I expect their quals will be accepted as well as UK ones, particularly given their ages when they left the UK.
Schooling seems more enthusiastic here, you don't get league tables and SATS and facts and figures thrown at you. One of Helen's biggest problems in her previous school was being told she was letting the whole school down if she got less than 80% on anything - what pressure is that for a kid? And that was in primary!
Nov 9th 2005, 7:17 pm
#8
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Bay of Plenty, NZ
Posts: 191
Re: kids qualifications.
[QUOTE=uk+kiwi]
IMO more relaxed learning/teaching styles. From an academic point of view would say that the kids were level with or ahead of their UK peers although being at a smaller college there were limitations on the range of subjects available.
Originally Posted by Herm
As for school they have all thoroughly enjoyed the experience and all agree that school here was less pressured than the UK.
Does less pressured mean less academic, or just more relaxed learning?
Any thoughts?
Does less pressured mean less academic, or just more relaxed learning?
Any thoughts?
Nov 9th 2005, 9:54 pm
#9
Susie..
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,531
Re: kids qualifications.
The schools sound better to me. My seven year old daughter was struggling to do her homework and so was I. She had two lots of english per week and one bit of maths, writing and spellings every night and a project which had to be done every night. I work evenings so it was very stressful for the two of us and hubby and I had arguments because he didnt want to sit after a long day at work and do a load of homework with her either. I think at seven a couple of bits and a reading book is plenty.
They have been accepted into a lovely school (i hope) in ChCh. It says on the prospectus that half and hour each night is plenty, but more important it should be fun. Defiantly the sport is more in the agenda in NZ than the Uk. She does two half hour sessions per week at the moment, and in NZ she will be doing swimming lessons every week too, so I'm happy....
They have been accepted into a lovely school (i hope) in ChCh. It says on the prospectus that half and hour each night is plenty, but more important it should be fun. Defiantly the sport is more in the agenda in NZ than the Uk. She does two half hour sessions per week at the moment, and in NZ she will be doing swimming lessons every week too, so I'm happy....
Nov 9th 2005, 10:31 pm
#10
Life begins...
Joined: May 2005
Location: The Labour Exchange
Posts: 552
Re: kids qualifications.
[QUOTE=uk+kiwi]
Ditto. I agree. My daughter is in year 3 so has just done here KS1 SATS (yawn!!) Now there is talk of testing for 3 year olds. Oh purlease!! Leave them alone. I'd rather play with plasticine and get covered in flour making chocolate muffins with her.Not to mention fabric painting and papier mache. Give me an hour in the kitchen and I can teach her creativity, mathematical calculation while chatting about the relative literary merits of Horrid Henry vs Just William. And no bureaucratic intervention or government edict. Phew!! Got that off my chest now. Cheers
Phyllis
Originally Posted by Herm
As for school they have all thoroughly enjoyed the experience and all agree that school here was less pressured than the UK.
Does less pressured mean less academic, or just more relaxed learning?
I ask this since my 5 year old (year 1) has weekly spelling tests for example in the UK (she is at a state academic school) and whilst I would welcome a more creative, fun and nuturing approach to her learning environment in school, (read 'I do not believe SATS at 7 years old are in her interests!) she is more than able and ready for this 'pressured' education.
Any thoughts?
Does less pressured mean less academic, or just more relaxed learning?
I ask this since my 5 year old (year 1) has weekly spelling tests for example in the UK (she is at a state academic school) and whilst I would welcome a more creative, fun and nuturing approach to her learning environment in school, (read 'I do not believe SATS at 7 years old are in her interests!) she is more than able and ready for this 'pressured' education.
Any thoughts?
Phyllis
Nov 9th 2005, 11:15 pm
#11
Account Closed
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 459
Re: kids qualifications.
[QUOTE=80s Chick]
Ditto. I agree. My daughter is in year 3 so has just done here KS1 SATS (yawn!!) Now there is talk of testing for 3 year olds. Oh purlease!! Leave them alone. I'd rather play with plasticine and get covered in flour making chocolate muffins with her.Not to mention fabric painting and papier mache. Give me an hour in the kitchen and I can teach her creativity, mathematical calculation while chatting about the relative literary merits of Horrid Henry vs Just William. And no bureaucratic intervention or government edict. Phew!! Got that off my chest now. Cheers
Phyllis
I just like getting covered in flour with 80s chick
Originally Posted by uk+kiwi
Ditto. I agree. My daughter is in year 3 so has just done here KS1 SATS (yawn!!) Now there is talk of testing for 3 year olds. Oh purlease!! Leave them alone. I'd rather play with plasticine and get covered in flour making chocolate muffins with her.Not to mention fabric painting and papier mache. Give me an hour in the kitchen and I can teach her creativity, mathematical calculation while chatting about the relative literary merits of Horrid Henry vs Just William. And no bureaucratic intervention or government edict. Phew!! Got that off my chest now. Cheers
Phyllis
I just like getting covered in flour with 80s chick
Nov 9th 2005, 11:18 pm
#12
Life begins...
Joined: May 2005
Location: The Labour Exchange
Posts: 552
Re: kids qualifications.
[QUOTE=Sega Mad]
I just like getting covered in flour with 80s chick
Please Sega keep it clean this is a family forum
Originally Posted by 80s Chick
I just like getting covered in flour with 80s chick
Nov 9th 2005, 11:20 pm
#13
Account Closed
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 459
Re: kids qualifications.
[QUOTE=80s Chick]
Please Sega keep it clean this is a family forum
Ain't nothin' unsavoury about muffins
Originally Posted by Sega Mad
Please Sega keep it clean this is a family forum
Nov 10th 2005, 6:19 am
#14
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Left Auckland Oct 07, now Switzerland
Posts: 33
Re: kids qualifications.
hi Fishy,
I hope I can help you! i am a brit, currently living in Germany in the process of applying (hubbie has 2 interviews in Auckland next week) anyhow we have a son of 14 & daughter of 12, same issues. I am however meeting with my daughters teacher next week, she is a new zealand high school teacher and is going to explain the system to me and how it all works. I hope this helps you I will be in touch when I find out more about the school system.
I hope I can help you! i am a brit, currently living in Germany in the process of applying (hubbie has 2 interviews in Auckland next week) anyhow we have a son of 14 & daughter of 12, same issues. I am however meeting with my daughters teacher next week, she is a new zealand high school teacher and is going to explain the system to me and how it all works. I hope this helps you I will be in touch when I find out more about the school system.
Originally Posted by Fishy
I've read plenty of threads about how well children will settle and i'm pretty optimistic that my kids will be fine, especially with all the sport. However what i've been pondering after reading things from Secondary school teachers is that IF my kids are academic and go right through the system will the higher qualifications been comparable to UK O and A levels. We have to jump through hoops at NZQA to get our qualifications verified so does that work the other way round? Is a NZ degree on the same level with one from the UK. Just wondering as my eldest will be 14 when we move.
Just like to add that my kids happiness is the most important thing to me at the end of the day and quite frankly I feel sorry at the pressure kids are under from a young age and am looking forward to that pressure being lifted and hopefully seeing some fun put back into learning (written wearing my other hat as a primary school teacher.)
Thanks for your thoughts and experiences.
Just like to add that my kids happiness is the most important thing to me at the end of the day and quite frankly I feel sorry at the pressure kids are under from a young age and am looking forward to that pressure being lifted and hopefully seeing some fun put back into learning (written wearing my other hat as a primary school teacher.)
Thanks for your thoughts and experiences.
Nov 10th 2005, 7:27 am
#15
Galaxy 1: Cadbury's 0
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,606
Re: kids qualifications.
[QUOTE=80s Chick]
Ditto. I agree. My daughter is in year 3 so has just done here KS1 SATS (yawn!!) Now there is talk of testing for 3 year olds. Oh purlease!! Leave them alone. I'd rather play with plasticine and get covered in flour making chocolate muffins with her.Not to mention fabric painting and papier mache. Give me an hour in the kitchen and I can teach her creativity, mathematical calculation while chatting about the relative literary merits of Horrid Henry vs Just William. And no bureaucratic intervention or government edict. Phew!! Got that off my chest now. Cheers
Phyllis
Yeah I agree. I don't remember having homework (except reading and maybe weekly spellings) before secondary school (and I did manage a 1st in my degree so I think that was fine ). In fact I think spellings came at more like 8 or 9, although for some reason I suspect standards were higher overall (ie nationally speaking) than they are now. Not sure why. My daughter goes to a great (achieving) school but has such a focus on literacy and numeracy that creativity does seem to suffer I'm sure. Not that I want that to sound like I'm complaining, but I'm sure school was much more fun for me when I was five years old.
Happy Thursday - Carmen.
Originally Posted by uk+kiwi
Ditto. I agree. My daughter is in year 3 so has just done here KS1 SATS (yawn!!) Now there is talk of testing for 3 year olds. Oh purlease!! Leave them alone. I'd rather play with plasticine and get covered in flour making chocolate muffins with her.Not to mention fabric painting and papier mache. Give me an hour in the kitchen and I can teach her creativity, mathematical calculation while chatting about the relative literary merits of Horrid Henry vs Just William. And no bureaucratic intervention or government edict. Phew!! Got that off my chest now. Cheers
Phyllis
). In fact I think spellings came at more like 8 or 9, although for some reason I suspect standards were higher overall (ie nationally speaking) than they are now. Not sure why. My daughter goes to a great (achieving) school but has such a focus on literacy and numeracy that creativity does seem to suffer I'm sure. Not that I want that to sound like I'm complaining, but I'm sure school was much more fun for me when I was five years old.Happy Thursday - Carmen.