School Shorts

Last we spoke to Jo Knox on the podcast we looked at what birth month was best for academic success. There has not been a lot of specific research on this topic but there are some indicators which point to being the oldest in your school year leads to better educational outcomes. That might not necessarily be surprising but what is interesting is a new survey has found that a large percentage of teachers spoken to, believe the current enrolment process is inequitable and leads to unfair and unnecessary pressure on some teachers and some students. Pressure that could ultimately end up influencing their school journey.
We look at the results of the survey, the barriers to change and what you can do if your child is caught up in a situation where they might be disadvantaged because of where their birthday falls.
In the episode to follow this, we will be speaking with a representative from the Ministry of Education in New Zealand about the reasonings behind the specific rolling enrolment process and what they might look to investigate at some point in the future.
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Not sure if your child's reading progress or the teaching they are getting is going too fast or too slow?
This is a common discussion among parents at the school gate and the answer is going to be very individualised depending on your child and their teacher.
However, it's really important to have some information about how it all works so you can make a decision about whether it is something that is worth raising (remember if your gut says you should, then it's always a good idea to chat with a teacher!)
Louise Payne, a former teacher and expert in literacy development with Learning Matters, shares insights about understanding the process and the pace of teaching.
She explains 'phonological awareness', the best ways to support reading at home and why it's not just about decoding words but understanding the story behind them.

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Karina McHardy shares a personal story but one that will resonate with any parent who has had to advocate for their child's needs, whether it be additional assistance or learning needs in school.
Karina shares the story of her son's autism diagnosis and the overwhelming silence she felt which followed. With no roadmap for support, Karina has fought for personalised support and questioned when there has been obstacles.
She has written about her experience in a book called 'All In' which she has just launched ahead of World Autism Awareness Day.
Karina also shares why the phrase 'everyone is on the spectrum' is something we should reconsider.

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A study of school readiness found as many as 90 percent of primary schools surveyed said there was an increase in the number of new entrant students coming to school not knowing basic skills like holding a basic conversation, identifying their name or being able to go to the toilet independently.
This episode explores the critical skills children need before starting school, the impact of COVID-19, and how parents and educators can work together to prepare children for a successful educational journey. Lucy Naylor from Auckland Primary Principals Association joins ECE Leader Kelly Seaburg to look at the reasons why we are seeing a decline in basic skills as well as offering practical tips for parents.
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Online Schools and Alpha Schools have had a massive spike in interest but who do they work for and is this a long-term disruptor in education?
In this episode, we explore the future of education with Penelope Barton, CEO of Crimson Global Education. Penelope shares what Crimson is working on in innovative models of schooling and whether it is more suited to catering for learners with different learning needs. Penelope Barton also looks at the role of AI in education and how she sees the relationship between education and technology working to prepare students for a rapidly changing world.
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