Opening Speech? What opening speech?

I must admit I was disappointed with the MoE speakers speech. It was not the least bit inspiring and it seemed to drone on about what the Govt has done in the form of CLUSTERS and FELLOWSHIPS. This conference has been advertised as a chance to (Rejuvenate and Inspire). Being subjected to someone explaining that we are following closely in the footsteps of another countries progress does nothing to INSPIRE.

On the other hand the keynote speaker did hit the point. Prof Thomas Sergiovanni said that the biggest obstacle to success in education is the alienation and disengagement that so many students experience. Surely we must look to our own community/culture for answers. History is full of mismatched discourses and ill fitting solutions to problems. Just because it works in one community does not mean it will work in another. I think the opening speaker needs to spend less time visiting our Neighbours across the water and start listening to the New Zealand Teachers of New Zealand Kids. By all means look at what is happening overseas and take note but to try and fit another nation's solutions to our situation is courting disaster. I think our opening speaker could do with some lessons in public speaking. Teachers are looking for inspiration not exasperation. I also wonder what happened to the word USE? It seems that it has been completely replaced by the word UTILISE and its proliferation in the opening speech was somewhat superfluous.

Two thumbs up to Nick and the team for the rest of the day.

PS. Did Mr Fancy actually declare the conference open. I think I had drifted off by then.