Principals full of plans after Singapore forum

In July, 11 New Zealand principals took part in an Asia New Zealand Foundation principals’ forum in Singapore. The forum’s goal was designed to give school leaders an understanding of the importance of Asia to New Zealand, and to extend participants’ knowledge of Singapore - including its education system, history, culture and its business and government links with New Zealand.

Louise Moore is planning some changes. After taking part in the Singapore Principals’ Forum, the head of Auckland’s Glendowie College has some new goals for her school. “I have had thinking time - time to consider how we can be more culturally responsive and culturally inclusive.”

One of Moore’s key priorities is re-shaping her school’s learning programmes to ensure that students can participate in studies of Asia. “I will be looking for opportunities to strengthen our awareness of Asian activities that will benefit learning at a number of levels.”

She has already started discussions with lead staff members about introducing an Asian language to the school, which has more than 250 students of Asian descent. She is also considering teacher exchanges to Asia and hosting Asian students to support cultural inclusiveness and global citizenship.

Moore’s not the only principal with bold new plans. Craig Price, principal of Selwyn Ridge School in Welcome Bay, said “We need to consider what it means to be global citizens, and ask ourselves if students leave our school with the knowledge, understandings, skills and passion to achieve on a world stage.”

He is talking to his colleagues about adding Asian contexts to learning at the school, and sees the Asia:NZ website as an excellent resource to support this. He also intends to keep in touch with a Singaporean principal who shares his passion for media literacy in schools.

The five-day programme included visits to the Ministry of Education, the National Institute of Education (Singapore’s teacher training institution), schools, cultural sites and New Zealand businesses.

“The delegation was on the go for the entire week,” said Vanessa Lee, Asia:NZ’s education director. “It was a privilege to lead the group and we learned so much about Singapore. From day one the group was reflecting on their learning and how it could impact on their leadership of their schools so that our young New Zealanders become global citizens.

“I look forward to continuing our learning now that we are all back in New Zealand, and seeing how Asia can be embedded across the curriculum in our schools.”

Many participants noted how the education goals, standards of excellence and expectations were aligned throughout Singapore’s education sector. “The same vision, mission and goals can be seen at all levels. Every school is clear about their guiding principles and these can be linked back to the national picture,” said Moore.

Price found the changing face of Singapore’s education system particularly interesting. The traditional emphasis on academic attainment is being tempered by a more holistic approach to schooling. He noted a correlation between Singapore’s education goals and New Zealand’s – particularly the emphasis on creativity, innovation, problem solving and student ownership of learning. “It reaffirmed many of the positive pathways we have taken as a nation educationally.”

Wendy Kofoed, principal at Auckland’s Newmarket School, also commented on the ideological shift evident in Singapore’s education system.

“It is not a static system, but one where a great deal of reflection and review is apparent. The government has set goals to ensure that their approach to education better meets the needs of 21st Century learners. The school visits clearly demonstrated that the new direction was beginning to be implemented at a practical level.”

• Singapore Principals Forum - information about the 2012 forum and how to apply
• Principals Asia Aware Network - learn more about our programme for principals

Images:
1. Craig Price and Margaret Aikman being interviewed by Singaporean students at Gan Eng Seng Primary School
2. Tracy O'Brien and Louise Moore thanking the teachers at East Spring High School
3. Singapore is embracing a more holistic approach to teaching, with more emphasis on creativity and innovation.