tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770341086445997547.post3642974517583061349..comments2023-10-07T22:37:49.244+13:00Comments on The Hand Mirror: It's all part of 'tradition' you seekatyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15742280289613450293noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770341086445997547.post-90508304527174368382009-04-05T19:31:00.000+12:002009-04-05T19:31:00.000+12:00"But why is it that parents are still so dete..."But why is it that parents are still so determined to send their kids to these schools when educational research tells us that the quality of individual teachers is far more important than they type of school they attend."<BR/><BR/>Because, as the research by Judith Rich Harris 'the Nurture Assumption', suggests, it is peer group that is particularly important (compared to parental influence). <BR/><BR/>Sending the kids to a private school ensures they will be mixing with kids who won't be getting into trouble to the extent they might at a local school. <BR/><BR/>Of course, the usual things that happen whenever you have a large group of males happen, hierarchies form & bullying occurs. But, it's seen as better than the alternatives. <BR/><BR/>Personally, I think if a kid is quite smart they will do well wherever they go. However, if they're not particularly academic they're less likely to go off the rails at a private school. <BR/><BR/>"So perhaps when I hear phrases from the heads of schools that they are 'losing their history and character' because they can't select the children of former pupils my immediate reaction is that they are actually mean 'there be too many asians at our school.'<BR/><BR/>Deborah,<BR/><BR/>I think you're partly right that this is actually because they want to bolster the rugby team with polynesian imports who are likely to live outside the zone (in the case of Akl Grammar). When I was at High School success in rugby was massively important & numerous sporting scholarships were available for this purpose.Ben Rnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770341086445997547.post-40268761655696122482009-04-03T19:24:00.000+13:002009-04-03T19:24:00.000+13:00And a state school at that.I can't help thinking t...And a state school at that.<BR/><BR/>I can't help thinking that the reason one of the principals quoted in the story wants to be able to admit more Pacific Island and Maori boys is to reinforce the school rugby teams.Deborahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14182573274494086468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770341086445997547.post-77357518296742054722009-04-03T17:34:00.000+13:002009-04-03T17:34:00.000+13:00I just thought that this suggestion - especially g...I just thought that this suggestion - especially given the schools involved - was code for "outsiders are getting into our patch, OH NOES THEY MUST BE STOPPED." The quote about old boys giving more donations if their kids went there was particularly telling. It's a school, for Go'd sake, not a hereditary aristocracy (or a hereditary *anything*.)Lucyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06432218062519321962noreply@blogger.com