I arrived in New Plymouth last night to meet the bus to the sun setting behind Back Beach, the mountain looking like a two-dimensional Michael Smither painting, and the aroma of silage in the air...this week we're off to schools around Taranaki and Wanganui, with another bus in Whakatane/Rotorua/Taupo and yet another one hitting Christchurch! So while we're getting nearer to the "last stop" at Parliament on March 31st, the bus tour certainly isn't losing any of its intensity!

The NZEI Tokoroa Branch had a NS meeting yesterday afternoon with Martin Thrupp and a colleague of his, Deborah Fraser. Both Martin and Deborah provided a good clear presentation of what was wrong with the NS. This was followed by a reasonable period of group discussion, questions and answers. Near the end NZEIs call for a trial of the NS was highlighted and various union resources were explained and given out. It was a pity only 22 people attended this meeting, this included some BOT members. I… Continue

Interesting report from Taupo, Clint, thanks! You may be interested to read some more views about the Minister's trials and tribulations as she goes around the country - for example, see The Standard's

Last night (Tuesday March 2nd) Anne Tolley was in Taupo at a public meeting hosted by local National MP Louise Upston. The venue was small but was full. There was a mix of teachers, BOT members, parents, and a hand full of die hard national supporters. I was surprised on one hand at how few teachers turned up at the meeting and how many schools had no representation at all, but heartened on the other hand by the responses and questioning from those that were there.
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This afternoon the Central King COuntry branch hosted Martin Thrupp to meeting to discuss National Standards. 37 people attended the meeting. This was a good opportunity for the CKC branch to consider what the NS mean for them and local schools. Especially as the NS Bus is not going through this branch. A range of NZEI resources was distributed to branch members.

Well worth reading,

Part One

Part Two

Including this quote:
So when the data says school X has lots of kids below the expected
literacy level what happens next? This is what I would really like to
know, and this is what people should be asking Key and Tolley because
this is the… Continue

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Here's the perspective of a NZ teacher working in the UK...

"If you are passing on information to the Minister or Prime Minister then here is my five cents worth regarding the proposed National Testing. I am currently private tutoring in the UK picking up the pieces so to
speak of the mess the local state school has created from focusing too hard on
their league tables and not on the individual needs of the children. It

… Continue