More evidence on how exercise can improve learning

How can we continue to ignore it?  The facts are becoming more and more clear; exercise is beneficial to learning.  For more proof, check out this Ted presentation from Wendy Suzuki.

'Poor children do worse in schools'

This article from today's Dominion Post uses National Standards data to highlight the difference between decile 1 and 10 schools in meeting National Standards.  The article starts:

'From their first day in the classroom, children from poorer backgrounds are more likely to fall behind in reading, writing and math.'

To read the article in full. click here.

2012 New Zealand and Australian Principals Trans-Tasman Conference

It’s not quite like being there, but clicking on the links below will take you to presentations from the keynote speakers at the Principals’ Conference the took place in Melbourne last week.

Andy Hargreaves

Lucinda Hartley

KISHORE MAHBUBANI

PASI SAHLBERG

YONG ZHAO

Click here to access the speakers’ page from the conference website.  Here you will find further information on all of the keynote speakers, including links to blogs and websites.

What makes high-achievers different?

This You Tube presentation from Malcolm Gladwell is fascinating.  It discusses two key questions:

1. Why do some succeed where others fail?
2. What makes high-achievers different?

How education really does start at home

This is a thought provoking article from today's New Zealand Herald.  It starts:

'Failure starts before a child has even set foot in the classroom, writes Jim Traue.

The debate on how we deal with the "tail", the one in five pupils Hekia Parata says are seriously under-performing, has been skilfully channelled down one path, that of the failure of the schools. They are at fault and have to make major changes'.

To read the article in full, click here.

Apple introduces volume app purchasing program to 9 countries (including New Zealand!)

This is great news for schools!  It will certainly make the managing IOS devices a lot easier.  For more details, click here.