Principal to study fetal alcohol syndrome work

Horohoro School principal Eden Chapman is this year's recipient of the Rotorua Principals' Association travelling fellowship. Photo / Stephen Parker

A local principal will use his travelling fellowship to explore the effects of fetal alcohol syndrome and the positives of using the Arrowsmith programme for students struggling with learning disabilities.

Horohoro School principal Eden Chapman has been announced as the 2016 recipient of the Rotorua Principals' Association travelling fellowship, sponsored by Ricoh.

"There is a concern ... of the growing number of students coming through our doors with fetal alcohol syndrome.

"Iwant to look into what can be done about it."

Mr Chapman will also use his research time to look into the Arrowsmith programme for students struggling with learning disabilities.

The programme is based on the idea that it is possible to address specific learning difficulties by identifying and strengthening weak cognitive capacities.

Students are pulled out of school to undergo intensive exercises to improve the learning areas where the child experiences particular difficulties.

Mr Chapman said while the idea of taking struggling children out of school did not sit with his own philosophies, he was interested in seeing if aspects could be applied in New Zealand schools.

- See Thursday's Schools Page for feedback from 2015 fellowship recipient Briar Stewart.