Private vs public schooling?

[marty]

i'm not sure i subscribe entirely to the home schooling belief - going to school is about learning social ettiquite too, not just the 3 r's, and although it might work in a large family, homeschooling 1 or 2 kids has its drawbacks.

and my very pakeha girl is in the kapahaka at her school - loves it. i hope that all you guys that are full of opinion and slagging of all things bi-cultural are basing that opinion on something, and not just pre-conceived prejudice

[marty]

Isn't everyone ignorant really?

Or is ignorance based on view?

-Indy

what school do your kids go to again indy?

[Rossi Gal]

i'm not sure i subscribe entirely to the home schooling beleif - going to school is about learning social ettiquite too, not just the 3 r's, and although it might work in a large family, homeschooling 1 or 2 kids has its drawbacks.

I don't believe that being home schooled in anyway jeopardizes a persons social skills. I had more friends than I knew what to do with(mixed ages) and no problems with being "behind the time" or "un-educated" as far as social skills go..and to be frank..the first day(and everyone after that) that i set foot inside that school. I could not believe, how immature, arrogant, oblivious and naive those kids were(and many of the teachers). They couldn't have a conversation that made sense, it certainly seemed as though they were lacking in any teaching of "social skills" . I was bored. And as a result, became friends with the older kids in(and out of) the school. I have always been known as a very sociable person, and in any reference i receive it states time an time again how good my people/customer/social (what ever you want to call them) skills are. Interaction, understanding, communicating.....

and as for the amount of kids being home schooled...what, are you saying only people with 3 or more kids should bother?? It does not matter how many kids there are. you could even argue that less would be better..again, more time spent/better teacher/parent on student ratio.
anyway to late to be thinking....and have lost my point here....blah blah bed time

[SwanTiger]

If we're talking primary, the main thing I'd look out for is the PC crap. Fucked if any kids I have are gonna learn Maori.

I would call that bad parenting dude, burdening children with your own beliefs is a good way to fuck a child up well and truely, not only that, you're more than likely depriving them of future opportunities.

I like this quote "There is no right or wrong decision, only consequences".

That sorta summarises my parenting philosophy; A parent teachers their children the consequences of actions, instead of 'right' from 'wrong'.

However in saying that, I'm going to be a hypocrit and 'encourage' my daughter into motorcycling

[marty]

i have been involved with home schooling of single and 2-child families, a reasonable handle on education, a background in behaviour observation, a psychology degree, 2 kids at school, my wife is doing her phd on childrens mental health and how their family and surroundings and daily input and education influences their safety, attitude, and ability to function as a contributing member of society, so i'm basing my opinion on what i am influenced by.


and although i'd be more than capable of homeschooling my kids, i wouldn't.

[James Deuce]

who'd want to learn to talk like a savage?

learn french or spanish or, god forbid, even italian. but at least something useful in the real world.

It doesn't actually matter WHICH second language they learn, so long as they are fluent in a minimum of two. It makes learning more languages much easier as it activates a learning principal referred to as the Critical Period Hypothesis. By developing principles of learning languages during this Critical Period, people can develop a process for learning and understanding a language. The theory goes, that by missing out on learning languages during the Critical Period, you will most probably never learn a second language. English is a global minority language, that has become a modern era lingua franca thanks to the penetration of the orginating culture on a glabal scale.

That will change relatively quickly, and we may find that Mandarin or Hindu becomes a global language. I think Kiwis should stop disadvataging themselves by following the shouting English tourist hypothesis of language and become fluent in at least our two official languages.

[James Deuce]

i take issue with you twisting my words jim - i never said that, nor did i intend to imply it. most parents do their best, on their own, and try to influence their kids to be positive contributing members of society.

You're right. I was being a blouse. I apologise.

[bobsmith]

I say if people actually want their kid to be educated, move overseas and get proper education... you won't find it here... I came to NZ at the age of 13, when I finished my 7th form here at the age of 17, the things I was taught at school besides english (I came from a non-english speaking country) was something I already knew from schools and afterschool classes in Korea. (well... perhaps the fact that my mother was a mathematics teacher had something to do with it...) Hell, I was taught English grammer more in depth in Korea when I was 12 than here in form 6. It's especially true if you want your kids to be educated in subjects such as science and mathematics.

[sAsLEX]

That will change relatively quickly, and we may find that Mandarin or Hindu becomes a global language. I think Kiwis should stop disadvataging themselves by following the shouting English tourist hypothesis of language and become fluent in at least our two official languages.

What good does Maori do? You cant use it anywhere, lets face it how much of our population can speak and understand conversational Te Reo?? 3% maybe??

We had some nut come give us a lecture in Engineering two days ago and started off in Maori for a good five minutes, and guess how many in the class of a few hundred could speak it.......none ....... hell more than half where asians or other nationalities.

Spanish, German, Mandarin or any other language at least has a use and heck they even have written history and other things to study along with the language other than the NZ history you learn in Social Studies.

[James Deuce]

What good does Maori do? You cant use it anywhere, lets face it how much of our population can speak and understand conversational Te Reo?? 3% maybe??

I already said - it doesn't matter what second language you learn. You're reacting from fear and ignorance. It will be much easier to learn a third language if you are already bilingual. In the meantime it establishes a platform to institute a NZ Culture that isn't a slavish replica of US sit coms. I don't understand the resistance to establishing a modern paradign of Maori culture as an integral part of NZ culture. What will you lose? Nothing.

What will you gain? Plenty.

[Paul in NZ]

Weeeelll... My 2c worth...

I have 3 daughters, all went through the public system.

We had our kids far too early (unplanned) in our life and before we were really in a good position $$ wise but abortion was not an option for either of us, we slipped up and we determined to make the best of it. (that sounds negative but thats not the reality - our house has always been one of lotsa kids and lotsa love and laughs). Anyway - we saved a little harder and purchased a house in a reasonable school zone. The house was the crappiest house in the street and we spent 7 years slogging away at it while the kids attended the local kindy and school. The whole time they were in the system we got involved with the schools. We served on committees, helped with fund raisers and went on the field trips etc etc. I was even the school netball coach for 3 years.

ALL our kids thrived in that environment.

High school is where the wheels fell off for one of them. She was just attracted to trouble in a big way and at the bigger school it was harder for parents to build the same relationship.

The other 2 did OK.

2 of the 3 are now at University and doing well. Above average result I suppose.

1 of the ones at uni had a learning disability and passed one school cert subject (51%). Watching her sob her heart out over that was the most heart wrenching thing I ever saw, 'cos she really worked her guts out. School did fuck all and didn't care 'cos really they are over worked and get paid stuff all. We supported her 100% and found a local person that could help which we paid for. She decided to repeat that year, even the subject she passed and nailed everything with a 70% average. That was one of the most uplifting things in my life. She is in 3rd year Uni with an A average.

The rest of my family? Private school did no favours to one brothers kids, the other brothers and sisters kids went public and most of them have gone onto Uni or good jobs.

The moral. Public school is good enough for almost anything BUT the parents have to fill in the gaps, you cannot abdicate this responsibility (applies to private as well IMHO). You will not get a seamless delivery of excellence, it's just too big for that to happen. You MUST get involved and be prepared to step in and fill the gaps when required and keep the kids motivated to learn.

If the kids see you at school and you know their teachers on a first name type basis you will get the feedback you require to let them succeed.

So - In summary. Find a public school that encourages parents to be involved and take advantage of it. If one parent has to stay at home for a few years to fill gaps, then thats a wise investment. Be prepared to pay for extras (lessons, sports, tutoring) and stay on top of the homework etc. Make it part of the family routine and the school a part of your social life and you have a better than average chance of a good result.

Paul N

[sAsLEX]

I already said - it doesn't matter what second language you learn. You're reacting from fear and ignorance. It will be much easier to learn a third language if you are already bilingual. In the meantime it establishes a platform to institute a NZ Culture that isn't a slavish replica of US sit coms. I don't understand the resistance to establishing a modern paradign of Maori culture as an integral part of NZ culture. What will you lose? Nothing.

What will you gain? Plenty.

become fluent in at least our two official languages.

Is where I am going from, I on the other hand think an Asian Language at least would be far more benificial especially for those wanting to go to university in NZ these days, plus Asia is a big market for NZ so would be far more benificial to have your kid filling their head with something useful than something that could help learn something useful at a later stage.

[Lou Girardin]

My wife and I are learning Italian at the moment and I really regret not doing this a long time ago.
Jim2 is so right in what he says, plus learning activates the brain at any age.
I don't know if I'd ever bother with Asian languages though, it's probably a personal thing, but I can't see the point compared to learning one of the Romance languages.

[Timber020]

If you really love your kids, you won't send them to a Public school. If you do, they will come home stupid everyday..

I love that bit, because those who send there kids to public school dont really love there kids obviously. Man you should sell hoovers. You seem to have issues with your life and everything around you. Perhaps a different kind of school would have made you happier. My Parents didnt love me. Did yours love you Finn?

[Indiana_Jones]

I would call that bad parenting dude, burdening children with your own beliefs is a good way to fuck a child up well and truely, not only that, you're more than likely depriving them of future opportunities.

I like this quote "There is no right or wrong decision, only consequences".

That sorta summarises my parenting philosophy; A parent teachers their children the consequences of actions, instead of 'right' from 'wrong'.

However in saying that, I'm going to be a hypocrit and 'encourage' my daughter into motorcycling

They try pushing the Maori language onto 3rd formers if I remember correctly at quite a few schools. That's bogus if you ask me.

And most Maori's I know can't speak the language? :S

-Indy