| Hay's legacy a brighter Sunshine State
JOHN Hay will be applauded as the man who put the smarts into the smart state and a passionate new Queenslander when he retires as vice-chancellor of the University of Queensland on December 31. After 12 years in the role, the teacher's son from a one-school town in Western Australia leaves a dynamic legacy for his successor, Paul Greenfield, a chemical engineer with strategic and financial clout who has been senior deputy vice-chancellor since 2002. When asked recently who might replace Hay, one professor in the university's management circle told a colleague: "It will have to be an IBM computer." Greenfield is pretty close. It's not power that ages a man but the lack of it; and Hay, at 65, incarnates this adage. A smile plays across his youthful features -- accented by a mop of 1970s-style hair -- as he contemplates a future for UQ under Greenfield: "There'll be continuity with Paul, but he'll be able to bring in new ideas as well.
Kenya: Streamline Teacher Training First, And the Rest Will Follow
EDUCATION HAS LONG BEEN one of the most powerful political persuaders throughout the world, and Kenya is no different. Politicians are all claiming that they will give more and do better in terms of the education of our children. But are all their claims and discussion just hot air? The Government says there are many well-trained teachers, that we are actually exporting them as a resource. Why then is it so difficult for some schools to find teachers? And why are there so many issues with those we do have? .
SATs not getting enough emphasis
I have witnessed many changes during my tenure as a pupil, but the most profound ones involved the emphasis on standardized tests, especially the HSPA. Preparation for the junior- year exam began in freshman year, when exercises and preparatory tests were standard practice. As a result, students did achieve great results, but when it came to a different standardized test -- the SAT -- the school achieved the very antithesis of "advanced proficiency." According to 2005 score reports provided by Peter O'Hare, principal of Hasbrouck Heights High School, more than 98 percent of the school's students passed the HSPA with proficiency or better. However, the average score on the SAT was only 1030 out of 1600. The Bergen County average was 1100. The enormous chasm between the SAT and HSPA scores in our school is due to the careless emphasis on the HSPA basic skills assessment.
Learning to lead a charming life
Most parents work hard to give their children a comfortable life, to ensure they will be happy and fit in with their peers. But while youth may have all the latest clothes and gadgets, many of today's teens lack things that are much more important - manners, integrity and self respect. Be honest. How many times do you stand and shake your head at the lack of these virtues in today's society, especially in this generation of teens and young adults? When Lisa Rosano noticed, she decided to do some thing about it. In January, Rosano launched Toronto-based Charmed Integrity School with a mission to give today's youth a renewed sense of purpose through teaching them integrity. Rosano has been working with youth for many years as a mentor for the Summer Company Program, which gives young people the opportunity to start their own summer business, complete with guidance and mentorship.
Your say: All Blacks' World Cup dream over
Stuff.co.nz readers have their say on the All Blacks' shock loss to France at the Rugby World Cup. What did you think of the game? Send us your feedback and we'll publish your comments. Feedback (latest posts at top): A large proportion of the media, high profile rugby players and administrators need to adjust their headspace. New Zealand lost a game, not a war. They retreat with disappointment, not bloody wounds. They (the ones that stay, at least) will live to play again. Rugby is a game. If you lose, as we used to in the 60s, you get on with it and try again. We need to keep the importance of rugby in its true perspective.
-Robert John Shewry Lets hope that as a nation we have matured over the past four years. This All Black team is one that we have been immensely proud of for the past four years.
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