Welcome to the first localeye Live and Learn newsletter of
2004. localeye has a new look and enhanced search features.
When you do a Canterbury Search, the first result will list localeye
categories which use that key word, followed by individual website
listings, then relevant news stories, followed by the results of a general
search which lists other links of less relevance.
Recent News and Events
Pilot
reading programme reporting huge success
A new Hanmer Springs-based literacy programme is achieving
tremendous results, sparking an offer to implement it in all Hurunui
schools. The pilot programme is being run at Hanmer Springs Primary School
in conjunction with the Hanmer Springs Thermal Reserve.
New
route into university study
A new preparatory course offers New Zealand students another
route into university study.The Certificate in University Preparation
(CUP), recently approved for delivery at the University of Canterbury, is
a five-month course leading to a university entrance qualification.
New Zealanders will now have an enormous range of electronic
resources at their fingertips, thanks to the innovative thinking of
libraries around the country.
Public, education, research and special libraries have joined
together to buy collective access to tens of thousands of electronic
resources that can be used by people from all parts of the country.
Cosmogenic
lab opens at Canterbury
The opening of a new Cosmogenic Laboratory at the University of
Canterbury will be a major boost for local scientists trying to determine
the age of landscape features.
Sites Added
Studylink
StudyLink is responsible
for Student Allowances, Student Loans and Unemployment
Benefit Student Hardship. A service of the Ministry of
Social Development.
Linwood
College 50th Jubilee - 4-6 June 2004
Programme and enrolement
procedures for the Linwood College (formerly Linwood High
School) 50th Jubilee celebrations to be held, Queens Birthday
Weekend 2004.
Conference
Office, University of Canterbury
Conference management service.
Information on services. Links to conference web sites.
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Viewpoint
Opinions and discussion on .... School Closures
In Canterbury, schools in the Timaru area are under
review with suggested closures triggering impassioned
debate and emotive scenes on the national news. Opposition
political parties from the Greens to Act to National
have all entered the debate. Political parties have created
websites, (Save
Our Schools and skools.co.nz )
and launched a postcard protest campaign in the affected
areas. Other interest groups to express concern include
teachers and local government representatives.
"Recent statements that the Government’s current review of schools
could affect the sustainability of rural communities are supported by
mayors from Local Government New Zealand’s Rural Sector Group.
“We are concerned that the decisions are made only on efficiency grounds
and do not take into account the role that schools play in rural life,”
says David Owen, Chair of the Rural Sector Group.
“The current review appears to be narrowly focused on educational
outcomes. Schools play a much larger role in rural communities than simply
educating students. Schools are frequently the community centre, the
holder of knowledge, the contributer of social capital and the maintenance
of community networks within rural New Zealand. Education is also a key
driver of economic development in a region. We strongly recommend that
this wider role of schools is recognised by the Government”, says Mr
Owen."
Mayors back concerns that school closures will severely impact
communities
Local
Government New Zealand press release, 6th January, 2004
The official description of the process from the Ministry of Education
is Network
Reviews. The Network Reviews page on the Ministry's website includes
information about the proposals, the process to be followed and frequently
asked questions. The press
release outlining the Timaru area proposals was released on the 28th
January, 2004.
The Ministry describes Network Reviews as providing "a
process for thinking about the way schooling is provided
in a particular area and the best ways to make sure all
students receive a quality education in the future."
Buried Treasures
Spotlight on some localeye resources ...
Outdoor
Education is a new localeye category which lists providers of outdoor
education at all levels of the education process from primary school to
tertiary level, including the training courses for outdoor education
instructors. Close to Christchurch there are well known outdoor education
locations of Wainui and Orton Bradley, as well as further afield Boyle
River, Arthurs Pass and Peel Forest Outdoor Pursuits Centre. Canterbury
also has one high school - Methven - which runs a special programme of
outdoor pursuits, bursary subjects, leadership and life skills for Years
12 and 13 students.
Community Learning is an important part of lifelong learning strategies
and a localeye category - Learning
Centres - links to all the varieties of learning centres in the
Christchurch community. These include high schools' evening classes,
community learning centres such as Waltham Cottage, or learning centres
that focus on ICT(Information Communications Technology learning - using
computers and the internet), like AddingtonNet.
Parents,
Teachers, Educational Organisations is a localeye category
linking you to a wide range of education organisations
ranging from the PPTA and NZEI to Canterbury Home Educators
and the New Zealand School Trustees Association. Another
related category is Educational
Directories which contains links to local and national
educational organisations, information and resources.
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