School Shorts

Simon Brown is worried about the impact of declining levels of literacy on girls and ethnic minorities. In this episode, Simon talks about the worrying stats that have lead to financial literacy becoming a 'key' part of a refreshed social sciences curriculum.

Banqer has been working with some schools already to provide this education through schools. Simon discusses the feedback from students and gives some practical advice for parents on how to help discuss money at home.

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If your handwriting flows with ease it gives you more space to think, remember what you've learnt and helps with reading and writing! All amazing reasons why handwriting is so important yet it has been largely ignored in many classrooms. Helen Walls is on a mission to change that through her work as 'The Writing Teacher'.

She says the impact of handwriting in education is undervalued but it is crucial for overall learning.

Helen talks about the role of parents in supporting handwriting and shares details about the Great New Zealand Handwriting Challenge - a project that is aiming to make New Zealand students the best in the world at handwriting.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir John Kirwan reveals his struggles with reading and how that contributed to his sense of self worth in his school years. We know him now for his remarkable achievements in sport and as a campaigner for mental health - but JK says there is much work to be done to raise awareness among our young people.

Thanks to his organisation, Mitey, many schools are now incorporating mental health as part of the curriculum. In this episode, JK talks about the role of teachers and parents, and the importance of vulnerability and open dialogue about feelings.

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It's the hot take that ignites debate among teachers and parents. One of the most respected names in literacy education says parents and educators often have muddled perceptions of their roles in teaching reading and writing. In this episode, Pam Snow explains what she believes is crucial to do at home to help your child read - and what is better left to those who are trained in the science of literacy.

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Want to think like some of the greatest geniuses of our time? Barbara Oakley is the expert to teach you how to unlock the secrets to learning.

As the creator of one of the most popular online classes in the world 'Learning How to Learn', Barbara explains in this episode how you can overcome procrastination and start to think in ways you might never have known your brain was capable of.

The conversation highlights how learning differences like ADHD and dyslexia can be superpowers and gives practical tips for parents and teachers.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New Zealand's Minister of Education, Erica Stanford, announces a new information tool for parents to help their children with reading, writing, maths and more.

The Minister also reflects on the progress of the new structured literacy and maths curriculum - and reveals the one particular challenge that keeps her up at night. Minister Stanford hints at further announcements to come around extra funding and additional changes to the curriculum in other subjects.

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Sir Graham Henry called him NZs best ever Principal. He's also been called New Zealand's coolest Principal too - so exactly what is it that has made Bruce Cunningham so popular with staff, students and parents alike?

We catch up with him a week as he retires from 45 years in education. His latest role as School Principal at Belmont Primary.

Broadcaster Toni Street is one of the school mums there and has been vocal about just how amazing Bruce has been for the school - so we thought we would hear straight from her - but Bruce has no idea she is coming. So he gets quite a surprise when she walks in.

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The truth about slushies! After seeing many alarming articles about the risk of slushy ice drinks to children especially under 8, Melissa decided to find out what all the panic was about. In this episode, she speaks with Grant Schofield - a Professor of Public Health at Auckland University of Technology.

They look at the importance of whole foods and challenges of preparing healthy school lunches. They also discuss breakfast myths and challenges around youth mental health.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.