Sharing Learning And Celebrating Differences

Hon Heather Roy address to the celebration of the Te Awamutu College Satellite; Te Awamutu College, Alexandra St, Te Awamutu; Friday, November 13 2009.

Good afternoon everyone, and thank you Tony and Jill for your warm welcome.

I would also like to thank everyone for being here today - parents, teachers, students, and those who have come from other schools.

We are all here today to celebrate the establishment of the Patricia Avenue School satellite at the Te Awamutu College campus.  This is a celebration for Te Awamutu College - particularly those students, parents and teachers who are new to Te Awamutu College.

It is also a very special day for the wider Te Awamutu community as, now, students with disabilities are able to attend the same school as their brothers and sisters.  Without the need to drive the long distance to school, these students will have much more time for learning - not to mention much more time in which to play!

This satellite class has been a long time coming.  I understand that discussions first began in 2004 and, although there has been a willingness to make this happen, there have been ongoing property policies and processes to develop at a national level.  I am impressed at your tenacity.  I know that much thought has gone into where the building should be placed, and it is a credit to you all that this attractive building was finally blessed on October 12.

As Associate Minister of Education with responsibility for special education I have been determined to get out and meet as many teachers, students and families as I possibly can.  From experience I know that there is no better way to understand what people want for their children, or to see what is happening in our schools.

Education is the key to our future as a country, and I believe that all children - irrespective of their abilities - have the right to the best quality education that we can provide. 

There are many different ways to educate and support our children and young people.  Over the past year I have been impressed by what I have seen at schools and satellites throughout the country.  There is a real commitment out there to enhancing education outcomes for all, and I want to ensure that we are striving for the best education possible.

There is no such thing as a ‘one size fits all' model in education.  Students and families need choice and opportunity in order to achieve their potential.  The addition of the Patricia Avenue School satellite here at Te Awamutu College is providing more choice for local students and their families.

Attending a local school also provides students with a wider range of options.  We all have different strengths and, with the right support and opportunities, students can frequently exceed expectations and surprise everyone with their progress and their achievements.

As a mother of five children I have learned that the best teachers are often the students themselves.  I am hopeful that the students of Te Awamutu College will learn from one another in this inclusive environment.

And it is not only the students who have the chance to share their strengths and differences; the addition to the College of new specialist teachers and learning assistants - with the Patricia Avenue School principal and staff to support them - means that there is now a new resource onsite ready to share its knowledge.

We all know there is a continuum of learning and learners and that, at any one time, a student may become stuck.  Teachers of students with additional support needs are masters of problem-solving as they seek ways to engage challenged students and help them to achieve.  As the old saying goes: "a problem shared is a problem halved."  I am sure the College will benefit in many ways from having the new satellite and staff on site.

Of course there is also new learning for the teachers and learning support assistants, as well as the staff at Patricia Avenue Special School, as they come into the different environment that is a large secondary school.  I am pleased to hear that the beginnings of shared learning have already begun and that there have been both formal and informal opportunities for the sharing of expertise.

For instance: Te Awamutu College teachers have gone out of their way to involve the new students and discuss ways in which they are included in wider college life.  I understand the new students are already involved in kapa haka, attending assemblies and participating in regular classes. 

This has happened quickly and I commend you all for your positive and supportive work to ensure all students are participating and achieving in the shared programme.  Your efforts are even more evidence that effective teachers make the biggest difference to increasing student achievement, and that the culture of the school and professional leadership play a significant part. 

The satellite class at Te Awamutu College promises much for students, families, teachers and other staff, and the wider Te Awamutu community.  The collaboration required and the sharing of the respective experience and expertise among principals, teachers and students is well underway. 

However, special education does not always run smoothly and I am sure you will agree that there are always better ways we could do things.  Now is a good time for us to know what works in special education.

As you may be aware, I am currently leading a review of special education.  This is an opportunity to determine whether the money in the system is being spent well; to explore the best options; and to make quality decisions based on national and international evidence that shows us what works.
 
We are looking broadly, but underpinning the review of special education are some well thought-out principles:

Reaching potential.  Fair and consistent access to resources and services.  Value for money.  The right to high quality education and professional services.  Choice and parental involvement, and shared responsibility for working toward the best outcomes.

The review of special education will consist of two phases.

Phase one is looking at access to, and allocation of, special education funding and services; and how to implement the additional $51 million allocated in this year's Budget.

Phase two will start later this year.  It will examine issues relating to workforce, transitions, service development, integration and collaboration.

Before I finish I would like to congratulate you all on your achievement in getting the Patricia Avenue School satellite class at Te Awamutu College established.  By bringing the two school communities together, with the best interests of students learning at the forefront of your work, you have laid a foundation of partnership and learning from each other.

Having the two school communities on site provides unlimited opportunities for sharing learning, and celebrating individual difference.

I believe that the role of Government should be to encourage choice, and nurture an environment where the best outcomes for students are paramount - an environment with a level playing field that encourages every student to reach their potential.  By working together you are well on the way to achieving this goal for all students in the Te Awamutu district.

Thank you for inviting me to this important celebration and my best wishes to you all for your future success.