Principal criticises parent support of truants

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 663, 19 November 1996, Page 7

Principal criticises parent support of truants

Ruapehu Col lege's future was a major subject in principal Ralph Lane's senior.prize giving speech last Friday, as was the problem of truancy and a lack of parental support in the matter, and the increasing workload of teachers. The following are extracts of Mr Lane' s speech: The question is being continually asked as to where the new systems will go in the future. What will happen from 1997 and beyond? Unfortunately the answer is not straightforward. There is still serious questions over how School Certificate, University Bursary and the unit standard systems can be worked together for the benefit of students. We have taken a conservative line on the changes. We have all been bitten before and this time we are ensuring the decisions will be long lasting and of benefit to all those undertaking the courses. It will undoubtedly be a rocky path for a few years ahead yet but you can rest assured that we are spending considerable amount of time discussing and planning for future development of our . course structure. This year has seen a number of financial initiatives which will take us forward to the year 2000. Extra funding will be made available from special education support needs which will enable students with difficulties to receive greater help than in the past. Funding has also been increased for careers and Mrs Ryland is actively organising her programmes to ensure that students gain valuable information. The Hillary Commission is providing funding for a sports co-ordinator for one and half days a week in

1 997 . Continued rural funding will be supplied for our information technology telelinking programme that has already started. As students return to college in 1997 the new information technology suite which is an addition to the library should be completed where our Internet, our CD Rom and video TV systems will operate. The Ministry of Education has agreed to fund a truancy initiati ve to help the college in what is becoming of nationwide concern - that is, the absenteeism of students. 1996 has been far from an easy year. There is no doubt in anybody's mind

that the workload of teachers at every level of education is continuing to increase day by day and month by month. The frustration of the situations were clearly demonstrated by the apparently militant action of teachers during their award negotiations. No alternative Few can doubt that teachers do not like stop work action nor do they like going on strike but they felt no alternative was left. I would like to thank the Board of Trustees on behalf of the staff for the very resolute manner in which they have supported the staff. It has been most heartening for us to know that the govemors

of Ruapehu College understand the predicaments that teachers often find themselves in when educational change means a lot more work for those in charge of teaching areas. It is disappointing when some students continue to be absent on a daily basis. It is even more disturbing when some do so with the backing from home. I ask that such people consider what absenteeism is doing to their child's education. A day out of class is a day lost and it is a day that their child is behind those who attended class. There is nOthing more disappointing for a teacher than to know that a student is at home

simply because they cannot be bothered coming to college. We are looking to see an improvement with this minority of students in 1 997 and we will certainly be acting to ensure that college attendance is both regular and enjoyable. I challenge you all who are returning in 1997 to set goals so that you may achieve some excellent results in academic, sporting and cultural activities. The teachers spend many hours of their own time preparing programmes but the programmes come to nothing if you don't want to learn. The resources at Ruapehu College are as good as anywhere else.