It was both very sad and a surprise to hear about Allan Peachey’s death today. I worked on the Education and Science Select Committee with him, some of my family taught at Rangitoto College under his reign.
He impressed me with his deep understanding of education and real commitment to getting the best for kids. Ultimately for him that was the test. He was no friend of National Standards. For his passion and understanding alone, he should’ve been the Minister.
He chaired the Select Committee in a true spirit of bipartisanship and was unfailingly polite to those who came before us. We differed in our politcal views – sometimes quite a bit – but that’s politics. We are poorer for his parting.
Our condolences go out to his family.
I almost never agreed with his politics but his desire to do right by the education of children was genuine and deeply held. I wish his family peace at this time.
David, I know it is common practise among some educational professionals to call our children kids (Trevor Mallard I am looking at you for one) but some of us feel that at the very least demeans children/students. Some of whom are old enough to vote
Hint; kids are baby goats
I have the impression you are using the occasion to have a dig at educational professionals RAF. Whether you like it or not, the word kid is now an ‘across the board’ term which is probably why David used it.
I didn’t know Peachey was against National Standards. But then he was an educational professional so he would know.
Everyone could see how unwell he had been for much of his parliamentary life, I wonder why he did not take an earlier peaceful retirement? He had really worked for it.
I always felt that Allan Peachey was ideal man to take up the mantle of former Tamaki MP Rob Muldoon. Both very outspoken, both very political politicians.
Allan will surely be missed. Sincerest condolences to the grieving.
Everyone could see how unwell he had been for much of his parliamentary life, I wonder why he did not take an earlier peaceful retirement? He had really worked for it.
I always felt that Allan Peachey was ideal man to take up the mantle of former Tamaki MP Rob Muldoon. Both very outspoken, both very political politicians.
Allan will surely be missed. Sincerest condolences to the grieving.
Yeah, the reason you didn’t know he was against National Standards is because he wasn’t.
http://breakingviewsnz.blogspot.com/2010/02/allan-peachey-calling-shots-in.html
Allan Peachey definitely supported National Standards. He just believed that it wasn’t the sole answer but merely one aspect of the answer that would lead to a better education system.
And for David Shearer to misrepresent his viewpoint in an obituary is a bit disappointing. In fact, he didn’t need to mention National Standards at all. He could have kept the whole thing apolitical.
Anyway, R.I.P Allan Peachey. My old man met him several times to discuss education. He didn’t see eye to eye with him a lot but said that he was passionate about getting the best outcome for children as possible.
As is not often known , Nationals running track style hurdles which are promoted as National standards , but are neither, dont apply to secondary pupils.
I dont know what a former secondary principal could offer to the debate about achievement in primary schools.
Then again with a former Napier motelier ending ups as Nationals Education minister
( and Tertiary education as well until her poor intellectual ability made her the laughing stock) you have to wonder what Key thought of Peacheys talents as well.
Ghostwhowalks.
Given that secondary school teachers deal with students who have come through primary education, I would imagine that Peachey had very well formed views on achievements in primary schools.
I know he was a passionalte, student focussed teacher. He taught at my school. I did not have the pleasure of his teachings, but my brother did, and spoke very highly of him.
He will be sorry to learn of his passing.
I had a long discussion with Peachey early this year. Although there were many aspects he and I disagreed around(Unions, payment of teachers etc) and over the years I had debated him on issues, he clearly told me he thouht that National Standards as they were being instigated would destroy what was good about Primary education/ I was surprised that is why I distinctly remember it.
I probably had more to do with Allan than any other MP. We battled when I was Minister and he ran our biggest school. Some of our beliefs were very different. But he was passionate. He cared deeply for his kids and knew the value of good teachers.
Illness meant he never achieved his parliamentary potential. We are poorer for that.
Thanks Allan.
Bravo on an excellent post David!
Indeed it is a great loss to the political landscape.
He was a far more obvious choice for MOE than Ms Tolley.
Anne, I am married to an educational professional, if I want to “have a dig” I have one handy and yes she dislikes National Standards
On the other hand just because something is across the board does not make it right.
I am old enough to remember when the N word was used “across the board”to describe people of colour, that was not right and neither is this
“On the other hand just because something is across the board does not make it right.” I’d love to introduce to to OldGeorge
Sorry RAF if I took your words the wrong way. To be honest I also prefer the word ‘children’ but I do use ‘kids’ when referring to them as a non-specific, collective grouping. Such as… oh, the kids will love it.
David Shearer and Pat Newman…Allan is on public record regarding his views on National Standards. David, your comments seemed so genuine…its a shame that even Allan’s passing can be made an anti-NS issue.
I see in the above that Allan Peachey is on record as being both for National Standards and against National Standards. He liked NCEA. I wonder what he would have said about charter schools because he could be very ACT like at times. The idea of autonomy would have suited him in his own school, but I am not sure he would have wanted it for all the others.
There was definitely a contradictory side to him. In his autobiography he got stuck into the ministry and the review office, and illustrated how political they were in nature – just like him actually! We hoped that in parliament he would have done something about them too.
It was no surprise that he did not make it to the cabinet table. Controversial and highly potentially polarising politicians (however talented or knowledgeable) don’t always get there. The Select Committee chairmanship was ideal for him.