Valuing creativity over conformity Helen Kinsey-Wightman The importance of students being able to express their creativity has become very clear in my own experience in recent weeks. My eldest son goes to a boy’s high school where there is (as there should be) a strong emphasis on sport. Whilst he has always participated in team sport, it has never been his passion and I think this has definitely affected his view of his own value within the culture of the school. One of the known benefits of single sex education is that teenagers may have a go at things that they wouldn’t if there was an audience of the opposite sex. A couple of years ago he began having singing lessons – so experimental and subversive was this activity that I only found out when I got the bill from the school accounts office! He then sang in the 70 strong all-comers choir – enticingly named Son of a Pitch . . . this year he successfully tried out for the highly successful auditioned a cappella choir – according to him, ‘the thinking man’s 1st IV!’ They recently had a workshop day with Dr Andrew Whittington the current Director of the New Zealand Secondary Students Choir who presented sessions on tuning and singing technique in chorale singing – there was so much animation in my son’s voice when he talked about the techniques they had learned and how he couldn’t stop smiling when they hit a note that resonated around the room. Most notably at our most recent parent teacher meeting his Dad and I left feeling that he was finally beginning to reach his potential and that his teachers were now seeing the sharp, insightful, humorous young man we know and love. Somewhat miraculously his Calculus teacher reported 100 per cent homework completion which could be evidence of (a) the effect of musical development on maths achievement (b) a case of mistaken identity (c) the possibility that next month’s credit card bill will show that he has sub-contracted his homework to a primary school student in Singapore . . . Joking aside, the lesson is clear that finding his passion, expressing his creativity and seeing that valued in his school environment have all had an effect on his wellbeing, motivation, relationships and consequently his achievement across the board. Earlier this year I attended Ken Robinson‘s session entitled, Creative Schools: Revolutionizing Education. The way he skilfully wove together a series of stories from around the world about creativity (or the lack of) in education reminded me of a Billy Connelly set. He asked great rhetorical questions about the purpose of assessment and the environment that we create in schools, commenting that society is based on collaboration: yet our schools teach competition. Thinking back to what he said that has stuck with me, it was his analogy around organic farming and education. Organic farming focuses on the soil not the plant – creating good conditions for student growth in schools, means that we must focus on the culture not the test results. School leadership is not about command and control – it is about climate creation . . .
This message is particularly relevant as Primary schools grapple with the role of assessment in the post National Standards era. I imagine that many Principals will use this as an opportunity to review what effect National Standards had on their school culture and curriculum as a whole – perhaps grappling with the way forward is one area where CoLs could provide a mechanism for both support and collaboration. I recently read an article by Bali Haque – formerly the Deputy CEO of NZQA – on the failure of the National Standards system and his suggestions about what to do now that they have been abolished. The main message of his Stuff article was nothing new to NZ Principals, ‘Measuring the pig . . . did not make it fatter. In fact it made it rather sick.’ He talked about the narrowing of the curriculum, the focus on measuring performance to the exclusion of other, ‘equally important learning activities; science, art, music, technology, entrepreneurship, creativity, problem solving, to name a few.’ 1 He identified that now that the government has abolished National Standards there is the problem that no one is entirely sure what to do next. His response? ‘Here’s a suggestion: let’s do nothing . . . Our teachers are talented professionals. They already teach, assess, and grade their students as part of their normal monitoring of student progress against our world class national curriculum . . . Teachers should be trusted to get on with their jobs, feeding their children with good creative, exciting, and mind expanding teaching, without interference from bean counters who insist on measuring everything.’ 2 In the same vein, it gives me hope to read of Chris Hipkins’ closing comments at the NZPF moot around restoring the trust and confidence of the profession and focusing on the over assessment of students and teacher workload. Sir Ken would certainly back his call for a system of personalized education so that our children can grow into resilient, creative young people ready to meet the needs of the modern world. References 1, 2 www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/opinion/101815485/balihaque-the-failure-of-the-national-standards-system
Education Marketplace
Need Shade and Shelter for your School? Wairau Intermediate
Key benefits:
Is your school SunisSmart? Summer is coming, your school ready? The Cancer Society recommends recommends2.5m 2.5m2 2 of shade student.Fresco FrescoShades Shades shade per student. have been designing designingand andinstalling installing have been outdoor canopies for for schools schools for for over over years; we have the expertise and 16 years; we have the expertise and range help your your school school range of products to help become sun smart. smart.
Outdoor Living Solutions
BFX Furniture
Future Focused Learning®
andsheltered sheltered areas students all year round • Shade Shade and areas forfor students all year round classroomscooler coolerinin summer increase productivity! • Keep classrooms summer andand increase productivity! PVCroof roofblocks blocks99% 99% rays • Strong Strong PVC ofof allall UVUV rays curvedshape shapeenhances enhances any environment • Modern curved any environment pools,walkways, walkways, entrances school shops • Great for pools, entrances andand school shops
• NEW netball netball court protection courtcanopies canopiesfor forincreased increased protection We have manydelighted delighted customers in the educational sector, andbeare have many customers in the educational sector, and are happy toprovide providereferences references request. happy to onon request.
For an obligation free quote (09) 443 3414 or 0800 Fresco (0800 373 726)
www.frescoshades.co.nz
TM
Furniture for the Education Environment
SmarTable™ Carve™
Pozzi™ Chair
Key Features:
Key Features:
• 2 x 50mm castors on outer curve • Easily adjustable to five heights • Can be adjusted by a student without tools • Whiteboard table top surface available • AFRDI Certified
• Sit sideways, saddle or straight • Back & seat airflow vent lines • Innovative, ergonomic design • Easy stacking • Easy linking • Strong, durable • Generous seat • AFRDI Certified
SMARTABLE™One table adjusts to 5 heights!
yourusable usablespace space • Extend Extend your
Adjustable Heights: 520mm 580mm 640mm 700mm 760mm
Available form leading retailers including OfficeMax, Office Products Depot & Paper Plus
Carry Handle
Interlockable
MAGAZINE
You can now access the current and past issues of NZ Principal magazine online
Find out more at www.bfx-croxley.co.nz
Looking to heat your school pool FOR LESS? Well, look no further HPPS are your local school pool people ✔ Cost effective to run ✔ Easy to install ✔ Easy to maintain ✔ Innovative, reliable technology ✔ Proven to be effective in schools Contact us now, to arrange a free no obligation consultation.
m: 022 021 2442 david@hpps.co.nz
0508 46 46 89 www.hpps.co.nz
Specialists in Audio Visual Supply & Installation for Schools
p: 09 912 7222
You can search by magazine issue, article name or author
e: info@comsec.net.nz w: www.comsecav.co.nz
visit www.nzprincipal.co.nz
Get low Get down Getout out – -FAST et down get low get FAST wn get low get out – FAST
Get Firewise …
– is a highly engaging programme that is aligned with the New Zealand Curriculum – has been developed by teachers for teachers to educate students about safe fire behaviours and getting safely out of a building on fire – can be used as a term topic or theme, or a a short term focus and for learning literacy.
Get Firewise teacher and students resources include… Family Book & DVD
ide
u Teachers’ G
Get Firewise Frieze
o teg TSAF – tu TSAF – tuo teg Get down
wol teg wol teg get low
:emaN :emaN
zn.gro.esiwerfiteg.www zn.gro.esiwerfiteg.www
zn.gro.erfi.www
etaD etaD Signature
erutangiS erutangiS Date
www.getfirewise.org.nz
www.fire.org.nz
Student Certificate
1104SF1104SF
zn.gro.erfi.www
Set
nwod teG nwod teG get out – FAST
Name:
FS4011
Photo
Interactive Story
Pupp e
t Ma
ster Se
t
Download All FREE Firewise Resources at: www.getfirewise.org.nz