UNLEASH

ED

Tag: health and safety

  • Taillight

    Over the last several months, we’ve seen an increase of ‘Principal-related’ jobs that have stacked on-top of the role that Principals already have to play. For one, I know that for many Principals, Novopay was one stress that has turned them greyer than ever, and continues to cause week in and week out stress as they become glorified pay clerks for their staff. Many Principals have off-loaded this role to their admin team; but many wish to take the responsibility of paying their staff on themselves, and won’t sleep soundly until they know each member has the right pay.

    Add to this the new legislation coming in such as the Health and Safety Act, and the Vunerable Children Act, which boards and Principals now inundated with new policies, new procedures, and paper work to sink HMS Bismark all over again.

    Some Principals are now facing the ongoing struggle to wrangle other local schools and boards together into a community of learning, even though they may or may not want to.

    Of course then there’s the ongoing pressures of financial audits, property regulations and funding, the charter and strategic plans, and that’s all to be done with the knowledge that ERO may or may not be far away depending on your school.

    Then, after leaving schools alone for the best part of a term, along come the senior advisors from the Ministry, who are meant to be a sounding board, a guide, someone who works alongside principals and schools. Do they ask how things are going? Do they ask what is on top? What is impacting the school? No. Do they actually visit the school and see how its going? Talk to principals, staff, children, to find out how the school is operating? No.

    No they are asking two questions.

    What is your data like? What are your target students results?

    Well, quite frankly; that’s like checking the taillights at a serious car accident.

     

    Don’t forget to comment below if you’ve heard similar stories! Share with your friends and colleagues.

  • Primary School changes uniform due to Health and Safety risks

    On the eve of changes to the Health & Safety Act, schools are in a panic with the liabilities they might face should children in their care be injured in any way. With the changes, school Principal’s can be held personally liable, with some trying to place their homes and assets into trusts to avoid losing them in possible legal battles over the Act.

    One school has worked out the way forward.

    They’ve changed their entire uniform to advance current safety standards throughout the entire school.

    The school has already had climbing trees and bullrush on their banned behaviours list for some years now. But with injuries still happening because kids will be, well you know, kids; drastic times called for drastic measures.

    After the Board meeting in which the new legislation around Health and Safety was discussed, the school decided that changing their uniform was the only option for the school as they move forward into the future.

    The Uniform

    The current uniform sports the typical school grey, with an optional green or black jumper. Black shoes are expected, and socks should be pulled up at all times.

    The new uniform does away with this, and looks to function over form and comfort. The school has sourced the material to make the change as low-impact on struggling families as possible, but say that the new uniform will come in handy at home after school as well. The polymer fabric is designed so that students remain well wrapped up in winter, and with it’s clear outer coat, students can now express their individuality with their clothes visible underneath.

    The uniform is a one-size fits all model, and can be worn by both the boys and the girls at the school. The school community, including it’s Board of Trustees is encouraging all schools to revise their uniforms, and says that their design will not only revolutionise the idea behind uniforms in schools, but also bring down the back-to-school costs for all parents. Any school wishing to use their uniform design should get in touch with the school so that details can be passed on to each interested party. Even the powers that be in the ‘Beehive’ have been encouraged by the idea, and is considering the possibility of making the uniform compulsory for all schools in the near future.

    We have managed to attain an early photo of the uniform as it is now. While it is still in the development phase, the main design of the uniform will remain largely the same. Please see attached photo.

    As you can see, the children are also modeling the optional sun hat, which are important in the summer terms.

    What are your thoughts? Do you like the new look?

     

     

    Actual Article

    A school has stopped its kids climbing trees because of fears it will be slapped with a hefty fine.

    Source: Primary schoolkids banned from climbing trees because of liability fears | Stuff.co.nz