An original idea to tackle truancy and latecomers to class has brought remarkable results for a high school maths teacher. Gisborne Girls’ High School teacher Chrissy Marshall paid her students to come to class . . . and fined them if they were late or did not show up. Photocopied “pretend” money was used and the exercise ran for the full 11 weeks of Term 3. Students were also required to “rent” their desks and chairs, with front-of-class seats the cheapest.
The turnaround was huge. “Back-dwellers” began to sit up the front and the girls started to come to class on time. “They loved it. They said it made them want to come to class because they were valued,” says Chrissy. A lot of students had not had success in maths before but attendance, achievement and attitude all suddenly improved. If the students did not have enough money to pay for a chair and desk, then they would have to sit on the floor. “They were totally fine with it. They knew the rules. I did get some crazy looks when my principal or the boss walked in but that was all right.”
The initiative also taught them money skills. “We worked out the cost of rent and bills together as a class, and also had the option of saving up and buying a desk and chair so you were no longer a renter,” Chrissy explains.” They were proud house/ desk owners, a skill I hope they take into their future.”
Chrissy said she was proud of her students’ commitment and success with the concept throughout the term. There are plans to run the programme again, but this time the teacher will use a more Internet-based approach for the high-finance learning rather than actual money-handling.
At the end of last term, left-over money was used at an auction to buy food and products the community had donated. Girls’ High
teachers and local businesses came on board with more than $300 worth of vouchers up for grabs from Cotton On, Bramwells
Pharmac y, The Be r r y Shop, Burge r Wisconsin, Burger King, McDonalds, The Kitchen Café, Video Ezy, Subway, Wendys and ASB.