1 November 2000 Media Statement

New clusters to improve ICT skills

Education Minister Trevor Mallard today announced an additional 221 schools to take part in an extensive professional development programme in the use of information and communication technology (ICT).

It brings the total number of schools involved in the ICT professional development programme up to 491 and was possible through a $9 million budget boost for the three year programme.

The schools will work in 28 clusters, including four clusters involving kura kaupapa Maori. Each cluster has one or two lead schools that take responsibility for co-ordinating and implementing the training and development.

"Each cluster will receive $115,000 for each year for a three-year period," Trevor Mallard said.

"The money will be used on training and development for teachers in improving teaching and learning through the use of ICT. As a result, students will become more confident and capable users of ICT.

"The schools will also use ICT in administrative tasks and explore their uses in addressing workload issues. I expect the most successful initiatives in this area to be shared widely throughout other schools.

"Schools will also trial and develop effective use of ICT in different curriculum areas and make these materials available to the rest of NZ through Te Kete Ipurangi – The Online Learning Centre.

"The Government is committed to ensuring schools are well equipped to meet the needs of society driven by modern technology. Our key focus is ensuring that teachers are skilled to use ICT properly and that there are good central resources that all schools can access to enhance the education they offer.

"The Government is spending approximately $8.78 million this financial year on ICT professional development and resources for schools," Trevor Mallard said.

Attached: List of cluster lead schools
LIST OF 28 ICT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAD SCHOOLS

Name Location
BAYVIEW SCHOOL AUCKLAND
CENTRAL SCHOOL NEW PLYMOUTH
EDGECUMBE SCHOOL EDGECUMBE
FLANSHAW ROAD SCHOOL AUCKLAND
FREEVILLE SCHOOL CHRISTCHURCH
GLADSTONE SCHOOL (AUCKLAND) AUCKLAND
GLEN EDEN SCHOOL AUCKLAND
GREEN BAY PRIMARY SCHOOL AUCKLAND
HERETAUNGA COLLEGE UPPER HUTT
KAIHERE SCHOOL MORRINSVILLE
LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL LINCOLN
NUHAKA SCHOOL HAWKES BAY
OKAIHAU COLLEGE OKAIHAU
RATA STREET SCHOOL LOWER HUTT
ROSEHILL COLLEGE PAPAKURA
RUSSELL STREET SCHOOL PALMERSTON NORTH
SELWYN RIDGE SCHOOL TAURANGA
ST.JOSEPH'S SCHOOL (OAMARU) OAMARU
TAKAPUNA GRAMMAR SCHOOL AUCKLAND
TAMAKI COLLEGE AUCKLAND
TE KURA KAUPAPA MAORI O KAIKOHE KAIKOHE
TE WHAITI KURA VIA ROTORUA
TIMARU MAIN and TIMARU WEST SCHOOL TIMARU
VISCOUNT SCHOOL AUCKLAND
TE KURA KAUPAPA MAORI WAHAROA WAHAROA
WAIPUKURAU and WAIPAWA SCHOOLS WAIPUKURAU
WITHERLEA SCHOOL BLENHEIM
TE KURA KAUPAPA MAORI O TE ARA HOU CLIVE

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