Last week Dio’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT) attended the ISNZ (Independent Schools of New Zealand) conference in Auckland. They were treated to some excellent speakers including Pasi Sahlberg. Pasi is a senior education specialist at the World Bank in Washington, lead education specialist at the European Training Foundation in Italy and Director General at Finland’s Ministry of Education, and visiting Professor at Harvard University. He shared three ways to develop education that didn’t cost anything – a timely topic. The three things focused on building relationships, changing timetable structures, and looping – a process where teachers work with the same students over several years (rather than changing every year).
They were also impressed with the data presented by McCrindle Research – an Australian organization who surveyed the independent school sector (parents and schools) in New Zealand. The presentation outlined the benefit of independent schools in New Zealand.
Contribution to the New Zealand Economy: $605 million.
Contribution to tax revenue (GST) on fees: $79 million
Amount contributed to scholarships: $41.3 million
Amount contributed to hardship: $26 million
The research also showed that independent schools cater for very diverse communities covering 34 different cultures and ethnicities.  Neurodiverse and students with learning differences also populate our schools because they receive specialist support. Making independent schools diverse and inclusive environments.
We hope that in the future, this data will challenge thinking held about independent schools.  We are nimble, adaptable, innovative and proud of the contribution we make to the economy and to society. We were also very proud of Dian Fisher, Deputy Principal, who received an ISNZ Honours Award from the Minister of Education the Honourable Jan Tinetti.
