FUTURE GENERATION

FUTURE GENERATION HONOUR MITCHELL: Autumn Attire

Leaves are falling and the air is getting crisper. Tans are fading and, thankfully, so is the sunburn. Get ready folks… It's officially autumn and soon winter will be here.

For some it is a sad realisation, but I love autumn. It is my favourite season. Perhaps the biggest reason I love the cool change so much is, well, the fashion! Long pants and warm jumpers are just my 'cup of Earl Grey'.

I'm more than ready to bring out the winter woollies and pack away the bikinis. If you're feeling a bit unsure about how to augment your winter wardrobe, don’t fear, I'm here - guiding and providing you with excellent advice on three key trends:

Fab Flares I am going to be honest - I'm a jeans girl, always have been. And I will continue to adore jeans forevermore. Right now there are countless options and an extraordinary array of styles to choose from. My current obsession is flared jeans. I know some of the older readers will be cringing at this point… the 70s are back in style! Well believe it because I sure do.

Rollas' Eastcoast Flares are a must have. They are so flattering, comfy and pretty groovy, if I do say so myself.

I am thankful to own two pairs! Both are corduroy (I know, more cringing). I own the lavender cord and vanilla cord. The vanilla cord is a creamish colour (a key shade this season) and I literally wear them with everything because they are so versatile, spice up my outfits and add a bit of flair (ha, get it?). The lavender cord is more of a statement pant and coincidentally always draws compliments. If you feel that your jean game needs a boost, I encourage you to invest in a pair of Rollas Eastcoast Flares pronto. They have a generous selection of interesting colours, so take your pick! And if you are lucky you may be able to do some digging in the back of your mum's closet to find a ‘vintage pair’ of flares. This worked a like a charm for me - I uncovered a 20 year old pair purchased in Paris!

Toasty Turtlenecks My second “must-have" is a cosy, knit jumper, specifically turtlenecks. I used to always think this type of high-neck style was such a ‘grandma look’ but I have come to realise that a chunky turtleneck can turn a boring outfit into an admirable one. Plus it's bang on trend, especially if you choose a cropped design. Recently I purchased an electric blue version from Zara. It is so cosy and keeps my neck nice and toasty. Normally I go for paler colours in my jumpers, but bright, fun colours are making a splash right now and they bring a burst of happiness to the dull winters. Turtlenecks also provide a sense of elegance and make you appear more put-together and mature (think Audrey Hepburn or Lady Diana). Step out of your comfort zone and try out a snuggly and fashionable form of this classic.

Sensational Scarves Another neck warmer is the dependable scarf! Not only is it a practical accessory but a stylish one if you invest in a statement piece. They are so easy to quickly throw on if it's a bit chilly and they are the icing on the cake for a basic outfit. Personally, I think scarves are immensely underrated. Picture French and Italian chic in your head and you’ll be dashing out to commence your scarf hunt.

Cotton On has $20 scarves that come in pretty, aesthetic, designs. I have a newly-purchased one proudly hanging in my wardrobe. Also, I am planning on knitting my own (here's hoping that turns out well). So if you aren’t quite ready to buy your own scarf you can DIY, just like me. (HONOUR MITCHELL)  PN

SUPPORT WHERE STUDENTS NEED IT MOST

There has been a lot of publicity lately around the poor educational achievement of Kiwi children, particularly in maths, such that an expert panel has now been set up by the Ministry of Education to look at the problem.

The latest report on children's literacy in New Zealand, ‘Now I Don’t Know My ABC’, reveals a current crisis in the level of children’s reading and writing.

Parents who know their children can’t wait for things to improve nationally are looking at after-school tuition to ensure their children have all they need with the basics of maths and English. NumberWorks’nWords provides fun, confidencebuilding tuition that delivers great results. It is individually tailored to each child’s specific needs, and parents are kept updated on their child’s progress.

“With maths, we give students individual help to better understand a strategy they are learning at school, so they are equipped to solve number problems,” says centre owner, Michelle Buckley.

A comprehensive free initial assessment provides an opportunity for parents to meet the team, discover how their child is going, collaborate on learning goals, and see for themselves how effective and enjoyable tutoring with NumberWorks’nWords is.

NumberWorks’nWords knows teachers work hard, and they look forward to some systemic changes that will increase the attainment of all New Zealand children. In the meantime, NumberWorks’nWords tutors provide encouraging, timely and clear instructions that re-engage children in a way that is inspiring, challenging and fun to help your child thrive.

Phone NumberWorks’nWords on 09 360 0816 for an initial discussion, E: greylynn@numberworks.com, or visit numberworksnwords.com/nz to learn more about maths and English tuition with NumberWorks’nWords.

FUTURE GENERATION I Love Lucy Book Review:

The Secret History - Donna Tartt - 14+

“Death is the mother of beauty,” said Henry. “And what is beauty?” “Terror.”

When Richard Papen joins an exclusive class of intelligent, wealthy and like-minded students at his 1980s New England college, he feels fantastic. He is learning classics, studying ancient Greek, and is finally becoming the person he aspires to be - but things quickly go south.

The students he studies alongside include an eclectic and alluring bunch - Camilla and Charles MacCauley, blonde twins shouldering a harrowing secret; Henry Winter, a distant and detached genius; angular and elegant Francis Abernathy; and Bunny Corcoran, who is loud, bubbly and prone to borrowing copious amounts of cash, as well as annoying everyone around him. Under the influence of their elitist and highly selective teacher, Julian Morrow, the gang separate themselves from the rest of the college. As they cross moral boundaries their lives are changed forever as they embark on a dark voyage from children to adulthood.

This book is my ideal novel. It's incredibly well researched, written with care and an air of sophistication, with characters so interesting that you miss them when you finish the book. Reading The Secret History takes over your life - I would hurry home from school to play classical music and read this book, dreaming of ivy-covered walls and battered textbooks - it’s fully captivating. When you read The Secret History, you begin to feel the same hunger for knowledge felt by the characters - inspiring me to begin learning Latin.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves learning, is looking to rekindle a love of literature, or who feels that they are in a reading slump. The Secret History will not let you rest until you have turned the last page. (LUCY KENNEDY)  PN  out of 5!

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