Nor'West News: October 22, 2020
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
10 Thursday <strong>October</strong> <strong>22</strong> <strong>2020</strong><br />
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz<br />
NOR’WEST NEWS<br />
Every Day is Open Day<br />
Once again, the New Zealand educational curriculum is<br />
in the firing line – and it is perhaps hard to argue that it<br />
shouldn’t be.* On the all-important international stage, the<br />
latest data from PISA, the Programme for International<br />
Student Assessment, indicates our Kiwi kids are on the<br />
slide. The downward trend in results over the last decade<br />
shows a lost equivalent of three to six terms of schooling in<br />
the key subjects of Reading, Maths and Science.<br />
This is despite a 32% increase in per-child spending since<br />
2001 and, in Christchurch at least, the construction of<br />
purpose-built modern learning environments deliberately<br />
designed to foster the national curriculum’s child-centred<br />
orthodoxy.<br />
Of course, every child should be at the heart of their own<br />
learning. How could they now be! But let’s not throw the<br />
baby out with the bathwater. A child’s education should be<br />
a balance of subject knowledge; essential skills; teaching<br />
programmes developed to suit their demonstrated<br />
knowledge, understanding and progress; and assessment<br />
that offers you, your child and their teachers, honesty and<br />
evidence of this progress.<br />
All parents, teachers and coaches know that children learn<br />
best when they are interested in what they are learning.<br />
Making subject knowledge and skills<br />
interesting is the ongoing and exciting<br />
challenge for all of us who educate and<br />
motivate our children.<br />
Located in the heart of our city, St<br />
Michael’s has been educating and<br />
nurturing the children of Christchurch<br />
for 169 years. For our young pupils<br />
have limitless potential to lead exciting<br />
and generous lives, and we have the<br />
responsibility to educate and inspire<br />
them, to encourage every child to flourish<br />
in mind, body and spirit.<br />
St Michael’s is a prep school for girls and<br />
boys in Years 1-8. ‘Prep’ as in preparation<br />
for secondary school, a foundation for a<br />
fine life. For at the heart of St Michael’s<br />
are the essential values of Christian faith<br />
and good citizenship: respect, integrity, community, faith,<br />
hope and love.<br />
An independent school education at the primary level is<br />
a great gift. Our classes are small, with year-groups of 20<br />
pupils, ensuring your child is an individual, well known by<br />
staff and fellow pupils alike.<br />
Traditional foundations in English and Maths are<br />
assured. This academic rigour then underpins our wider<br />
curriculums in History, Geography, Science and Spanish.<br />
IT literacy is taught, not assumed, and computer use is<br />
measured. We like teaching and talking to our pupils!<br />
A prep education offers balance. St Michael’s cultural<br />
and sports’ programmes further develop your child’s<br />
foundation, as creativity and problem-solving come in<br />
many forms. Specialist art and music classes are enjoyed<br />
weekly. We have three choirs, and most pupils participate<br />
in instrumental or speech & drama lessons with our ten<br />
itinerant staff.<br />
Nestled on the banks of the Avon, opposite the Riverside<br />
Farmers’ Market, our extended campus is spectacular: the<br />
Art Gallery, Museum, Tūranga – the<br />
central library, and Hagley Park are<br />
just minutes away.<br />
Many of our parents now work in<br />
the thriving city centre or Lincoln<br />
and Riccarton Road hubs, but they<br />
live city-wide. They comment on the<br />
comfort of knowing their children are<br />
in school nearby and the benefits of<br />
popping over for an hour to catch a<br />
performance or watch a race. With the<br />
central exchange only a block away,<br />
senior children arrive by bus from all<br />
corners of the city.<br />
You and your child are warmly<br />
welcome to discover our purposeful,<br />
wholehearted and inclusive prep<br />
school. Our next Open Day is<br />
coming up, on Tuesday 3 November. Pop in during<br />
the day between 8.30am – 4.00pm for a tour, and to<br />
book an appointment on the day with the principal,<br />
please contact registrar, Bec Hitchcock: registrar@<br />
saintmichaels.co.nz or 03 379-9790.<br />
St Michael’s School<br />
Your school at the heart of the city<br />
✓ Co-educational, Years 1-8<br />
✓ Small classes<br />
✓ Specialist teachers<br />
✓ Musical excellence<br />
✓ Christian values<br />
✓ Traditional classrooms; academic rigour<br />
✓ Before & after school care: 7.30am - 5.30pm<br />
✓ Central city location; easy access<br />
Taking enrolments for 20<strong>22</strong>.<br />
Some places available for 2021.<br />
Open Day: Tuesday 3 November<br />
www.saintmichaels.school.nz 249 Durham Street Phone (03) 379 9790 to book your tour.