We’re getting closer to the end of the year, which for our older children, means they’re in the middle of exams. I’m sure they’ve all been studying hard, and I wish them the best as they put their knowledge to the test.
I have already been lucky enough to meet Senior Students at Aorere College. It is always a pleasure to attend and meet students at the college. It’s also great to see our students buoyed by success, and looking forward to the future.
National is spending more than ever on education. We have increased spending in schools by over $600 million, and we’re putting $359 million into our Investing in Educational Success Initiative. This will boost the quality of teaching and leadership in our schools, and see communities of schools form to focus on lifting educational achievement together.
As a community, I believe we all want the best for our children wherever they are learning. It makes sense to me for our schools to be working alongside each other to share knowledge, expertise, and best practice.
It will benefit all our schools, our teachers, our students, and the future of our communities. Our children are growing up to be our local business owners, workers, and entrepreneurs. I want to see them given the best tools available to help them get there.
That means investing in improving the quality of our teaching, and investing in better infrastructure and resources, such as the Network for Learning. This gives our students access to fast, reliable internet, and today’s modern learning environment.
I would also like to encourage the great teachers we have here in Manukau East to apply to the new Teacher-led Innovation Fund.
The fund will give teachers the time and resources they need to do practical research on new ideas for the classroom, to test them, and then to share what works with others – to develop new ways of helping our children and young people achieve at school. (www.education.govt.nz/ies-teacher-led-innovation-fund)
National is focusing on improving performance in the schooling system to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed.