A good turnout again tonight, a few missing faces including Sergeant Bill Charkow who is currently sporting a very large bandage and sling on his left arm. My thanks to Colin Monk who stepped in as Sergeant and managed to fine a number of our members!! A job well done Colin.
It was a pleasure to welcome Meryl Monk as a guest for the evening. Always lovely to see you, Meryl.
One-minute speakers gave updates on club activities.
David Teape reminded us Dine Out is on Easter Sunday at The Good Home. Ladies don’t forget your Easter Bonnet.
Sally Fletcher outlined projects that need to be undertaken at HHV on our cottage. These include some painting, sanding, minor repairs and maintenance and gardening. Tuesdays and Fridays are good days for us to volunteer, please contact Sally if you are willing and able so work can begin. It is so good to have this project back on our radar again. I look forward to being part of the “team” and getting some of the work done.
Rob Mouncey updated us on Blankets for Kids. The publicity is well underway with a new logo which is very eye catching and reflects the style of the Fun Run Logo. A very practical start has been made by Meryl Monk, who was presented with large number of piggy squares to be made into blankets. She has completed the task and produced --- blankets to start the collection off. Huge thanks to Meryl.
Our guest speaker for this evening was Iva Ropati, Principal Howick College.
Iva has been seconded to the Education Council and has been part of a task force team researching current Leadership (Principals) in our schools. Iva used his own pathway to illustrate some of the issues facing todays principals and the lack of training and support available to them at all levels and stages of their Principalship. While the Education Council has come up with 9 capabilities for Principals which are very sound and reasonable there is no actual support for principals to meet these, no national pathway for a principal’s professional growth cycle to prepare them for the role.
Social issues are impacting on the role of principals and teaching and learning. Issues that frequently have to be solved through the principal’s own problem-solving skills. Because of the lack of support, workload and stress levels are high and the cause of 50% of principals looking for careers outside education.
Steve Lines, a retired teacher at both secondary and intermediate level, raised the issues of demands on teachers that detract from their role as teachers. The need for ongoing administration and documentation required by the current system has a huge impact on teachers and their ability to do their job as teachers. Children and their learning should be the focus. A position that cannot be argued with.
A very interesting and somewhat sobering presentation that held our attention and attracted some good questions and considerable discussion at the end of our meeting.
Please click
the link for Iva’s full presentation.
As we move to Orange and more freedoms, the Board will consider our position in terms of returning to the Howick Club at the board meeting next week and keep you up to date. In the meantime, I hope you enjoyed the Easter Break, and did not over indulge, however a little bit of chocolate shouldn’t have done too much harm!!!
Kia Tupato, Kia noho haumaru. Take care and stay safe.
Madeleine East MNZM
President.
