New Zealand School System Comparison?
#31
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2013
Location: NZ
Posts: 59
Re: New Zealand School System Comparison?
It seems to vary so much from school to school, I guess? Broke my heart to see kids (mine included) in tears over the 11+ in England, so am all for a less stressed style of education. It will take a little adjustment for the kids, though.
Early days for us still, will see how it goes.
Early days for us still, will see how it goes.
#32
Re: New Zealand School System Comparison?
It seems to vary so much from school to school, I guess? Broke my heart to see kids (mine included) in tears over the 11+ in England, so am all for a less stressed style of education. It will take a little adjustment for the kids, though.
Early days for us still, will see how it goes.
Early days for us still, will see how it goes.
I had to leave before youngest started college. By which time he had no confidence left.
I hope it works out for you.
#33
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 94
Re: New Zealand School System Comparison?
Sorry to hear that, its the first time I've heard negatives about the NZ schooling
I'm hoping the relaxed style will suit our two.
I'm hoping the relaxed style will suit our two.
#34
Re: New Zealand School System Comparison?
Puzzled by the 11+ thing. I don't recall any of us kids crying over taking the 11+ .
#35
Re: New Zealand School System Comparison?
The biggest difference in the management of schools is the Board of Trustee model. Overall management of schools is via the Ministry of Education, but local policy is decided by the school board which is elected. Boards can become stacked with parents who have a particular view of what a good education is. It's also how there is so much variety in approach, even though there is one curriculum that they follow.
You need to shop around to find a model of delivery that suits your child. The dominant model taught in teacher education in NZ is 'inquiry learning'. In involves:
What is Inquiry?
If parents haven't experienced this model themselves, they may be disappointed to find that their children's education does not match their own.
There is a debate over whether enquiry (to use the British spelling) based learning or 'chalk and talk' methods are better. Chalk and talk, such as used in many Asian countries, leads to higher test scores, however it leads to a very narrow field of ability - more rule following, less initiative and ability to problem-solve.
You need to shop around to find a model of delivery that suits your child. The dominant model taught in teacher education in NZ is 'inquiry learning'. In involves:
Inquiry-based learning is a constructivist approach, in which students have ownership of their learning. It starts with exploration and questioning and leads to investigation into a worthy question, issue, problem or idea.
It involves asking questions, gathering and analysing information, generating solutions, making decisions, justifying conclusions and taking action.
It involves asking questions, gathering and analysing information, generating solutions, making decisions, justifying conclusions and taking action.
If parents haven't experienced this model themselves, they may be disappointed to find that their children's education does not match their own.
There is a debate over whether enquiry (to use the British spelling) based learning or 'chalk and talk' methods are better. Chalk and talk, such as used in many Asian countries, leads to higher test scores, however it leads to a very narrow field of ability - more rule following, less initiative and ability to problem-solve.
#36
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 526
Re: New Zealand School System Comparison?
If your kid has dyslexia you'll have real problems in NZ schools.
#37
MODERATOR
Joined: Oct 2011
Location: Wellington - I miss Castles, the NHS & English school system
Posts: 9,077
#38
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Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Kapiti Coast, Wellington
Posts: 704
Re: New Zealand School System Comparison?
Wow, what a sweeping untrue statement! Studying dyslexia is part of the teaching degree for starters, so teachers should be well aware of the issues. At primary level, when a child is suspected of having dyslexia then free assessments are done via a RTLB teacher. Then the child can access extra help at school or the SPELD organisation kicks in (this is not free, but is subsidised for low income families). Speld New Zealand - Dyslexia and other learning difficulties
Both of the 2 local colleges on the Kapiti coast have specific classes designed for children with dyslexia. Here's the website from one of them explaining the extra help children receive.
KC - Dyslexia
No education system is perfect and yes children slip between the gaps and parents need to be onto it, but that happens in every developed country.
Both of the 2 local colleges on the Kapiti coast have specific classes designed for children with dyslexia. Here's the website from one of them explaining the extra help children receive.
KC - Dyslexia
No education system is perfect and yes children slip between the gaps and parents need to be onto it, but that happens in every developed country.
#39
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 526
Re: New Zealand School System Comparison?
That's not my experience in the Waikato! From day 1 we told them my son was dyslexic and gave them a copy of all his assesments from the UK ... every year at every school nothing was ever passed on to any of his teachers! Every year we had to explain it all to every single one of his teachers ... this went on for 7 years! He still got no help or understanding from his teachers! None of them!
I know all about Speld too ...
The NZ school system failed my son!
I know all about Speld too ...
The NZ school system failed my son!
#40
Re: New Zealand School System Comparison?
That's not my experience in the Waikato! From day 1 we told them my son was dyslexic and gave them a copy of all his assesments from the UK ... every year at every school nothing was ever passed on to any of his teachers! Every year we had to explain it all to every single one of his teachers ... this went on for 7 years! He still got no help or understanding from his teachers! None of them!
I know all about Speld too ...
The NZ school system failed my son!
I know all about Speld too ...
The NZ school system failed my son!
#42
MODERATOR
Joined: Oct 2011
Location: Wellington - I miss Castles, the NHS & English school system
Posts: 9,077
Re: New Zealand School System Comparison?
The 11 Plus still exists, however it is now a collective term for the entrance exams that the remaining grammar schools offer. Around 160 grammar schools remain in England and they each continue to offer an 11+ test to determine their intake.
#43
Re: New Zealand School System Comparison?
Although officially abolished in 1976 (replaced by a "comprehensive system") some areas of England have kept the system of running grammar schools alongside comprehensive schools.
The 11 Plus still exists, however it is now a collective term for the entrance exams that the remaining grammar schools offer. Around 160 grammar schools remain in England and they each continue to offer an 11+ test to determine their intake.
The 11 Plus still exists, however it is now a collective term for the entrance exams that the remaining grammar schools offer. Around 160 grammar schools remain in England and they each continue to offer an 11+ test to determine their intake.
#44
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Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Kapiti Coast, Wellington
Posts: 704
Re: New Zealand School System Comparison?
For those of you in Auckland who have children with dyslexia:
Laughton King is presenting at Northcross Intermediate tomorrow (Tuesday 25th) at 3.30 for teaching staff (free) and 7.00PM for students and parents. Laughton King is a Dyslexic Guru and offers practical solutions for students with Dyslexia and other associated learning difficulties.
Laughton King is presenting at Northcross Intermediate tomorrow (Tuesday 25th) at 3.30 for teaching staff (free) and 7.00PM for students and parents. Laughton King is a Dyslexic Guru and offers practical solutions for students with Dyslexia and other associated learning difficulties.
#45
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Joined: Oct 2011
Location: Wellington - I miss Castles, the NHS & English school system
Posts: 9,077