FUTURE GENERATION

HELP IS ON THE WAY, BUT IS IT A LITTLE TOO LATE?

It's no secret that New Zealand's performance in reading and maths has plunged over the past 20 years in both international and local surveys, a fact acknowledged earlier this year by the ministry, and now something is finally being done about it.

According to Associate Education Minister, Jan Tinetti, she believes we need to focus on addressing equity and lifting achievement because the way things are is not working well for all learners and we are trying to make it work better.

Reading, writing and maths should be taught more consistently across all schools, the government says, as it outlines the next steps in its plan to lift New Zealand's dire literacy and maths achievement levels.

"One of the things we're looking at doing is making certain that all your teachers have the same idea around how to teach English, how to teach Māori, how to teach maths. We know that they have to have the same idea, across every single teacher in this country."

At NumberWorks’nWords we pride ourselves on the delivery of our tutoring model that has been helping students around the country for over 30 years. It aligns with the national curriculum and gives our students confidence and the tools to have success back in the classroom.

NumberWorks’nWords in-centre tuition is computer-based, using bespoke English and maths tutoring software. Traditional learning methods are also incorporated into teaching practices and cater for students of all abilities regardless of where they are at in their learning journey.

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

NUMBERWORKS’NWORDS Grey Lynn, 316 Richmond Rd, T: 09 360 0816, E: greylynn@numberworks.com, www.numberworksnwords.com/nz

TROTMAN STANDS WITH STRONG TEAM TO BRING MUCH NEEDED CHANGE IN WAITEMAT

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Businesswoman and fierce community advocate Sarah Trotman, ONZM, will re-stand in the Auckland Council local elections.

Ms Trotman said “My experience of the Waitematā Local Board and how the controversial decisions around both the proposed Erebus memorial and shocking decision to fell the Western Springs Forest, against such strong community opposition, have weighed heavily on my mind. A Local Board that is driven by politics and one that blatantly fails to serve the people of Auckland, cannot continue”.

Ms Trotman pointed specifically to the disrespect community members have been shown at Board meetings, poor consultation with the community, and the poor governance of the current Chair, Richard Northey as being key issues the new Board would have to address.

“When you have the Ombudsman investigating Auckland Council’s failings over the “deficient” “unreasonable” and “tainted” proposed Erebus memorial; and have serious concerns about the professionalism of Chair, Richard Northey making what was described by a fellow Local Board Member as a “predetermined” decision and inappropriate expense claims; coupled with Council processes to build bridges with the community being labelled an “abject failure”. There is a huge job ahead of us and one that must not be left to those who caused the issues in the first place” said Ms Trotman.

The Waitematā Local Board spans the CBD as well as inner city suburbs from Parnell to Western Springs and faces significant decision-making responsibilities covering planning, heritage, parks, transport and economic development.

“Ms Trotman has an accomplished track-record of delivering for local business and the community. There can be no doubt about her commitment to her constituents and her determination to ensure they are represented at the table. We're delighted she joins our team of five others, who'll put the community at the heart of their decision-making,” said Communities and Residents (C&R) President, Kit Parkinson.

Ms Trotman’s decision to re-stand was inspired by Mike Lee ending his retirement and his decision to run, after the deeply disappointing performance of Pippa Coom in the Waitematā and Gulf Ward.

“Mr Lee’s example of service to the city we love was one I simply could not ignore. We need the calibre of thinking and accountability that someone like Mike brings,” said Ms Trotman

Community Groups across the city have reacted positively to Ms Trotman’s decision to stand. Western Springs resident, Vaughan Clutterbuck said, “Sarah has always made herself available and has fought tirelessly for the people she represents”. Luke Niue, Chair of Parnell Community Committee, says “lots of candidates pledged their support during the last campaign but, when elected, voted against the wishes of the community. Sarah has integrity when others appear to put their political alliances first”.

Sarah Trotman stands with a team of high calibre candidates with business, legal, social, heritage, environmental protection and community service backgrounds, including Allan Matson, Greg Moyle, Gen Sage, Chris Severne and Len Ward. The team are also endorsing Auckland Independents Mike Lee for Councillor.

“We welcome diversity of thinking, something that has been lacking over the past nine years on this Board and have selected candidates specifically based on their skill and the direct contribution they can make to challenges the central city faces. It is time to put the local back in local body politics, and this is the team who can achieve that,” said Ms Trotman.

I Love Lucy Book Review:

The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath - 15+

“I was supposed to be having the time of my life.”

It is the summer of 1953, and 19-year-old Esther Greenwood is living her dream working as an intern for a high-end New York fashion magazine. Esther is gorgeous, intelligent, and achieving all that she has worked towards throughout her high school career, but she feels nothing. Drifting from place to place among the wavering concrete, Esther comments on the absurdity and complexity of 1950s society while feeling trapped, as if she is encased in a glass bell jar. She knows she should be ecstatic, but she is slipping under a dark shroud of depression. The question is: will she resurface?

There is an analogy in this book which is fairly famous, and that I believe is genius. Plath writes of a fig tree stretching out before her, each ripe and plump fig representing a potential future. She sits, starving, at the bottom of the tree, unable to decide which to pick, as choosing one means losing all the others. As she attempts to decide which to take, the figs begin to wrinkle and blacken, falling to her feet. This analogy speaks to the well-known fear of making the wrong choice, an irreversible one, and becoming stuck in a situation you cannot change.

Sylvia Plath is thought of as one of the great American novelists, which is not an easy feat for a woman to achieve. She was diagnosed with clinical depression, and unfortunately took her own life not long after the first publishing of The Bell Jar, at just 30 years old. I think that this novel's success speaks for itself. The Bell Jar has sold three million copies, was made into a film in 1979, and is a staple in literature studies classes. The deep dive into the breakdown of the human psyche has established The Bell Jar as a haunting and memorable classic American novel. (LUCY KENNEDY)  PN  out of 5!

Earlier this year, I wrote about my quest to learn to drive which started with sitting a theory test to obtain a Learner's Licence.

This initial permit allows you to practice driving on the roads under the supervision of a fully-licensed adult. Six months down the track you are qualified to sit a practical test for a Restricted Licence, which endorses you to drive independently (without passengers).

In June, I was ready to take this next step but I had been putting it off for a while due to nerves and the limited availability of testing in Auckland - seriously, most appointments are snapped up minutes after they are released, making them near impossible to secure. In the July holidays I decided enough of the delaying tactics and managed to acquire a test in Mount Maunganui, where it’s slightly easier to get a booking and where my family were planning a vacation.

Before sitting my test I wanted to make sure that I was fully confident. This meant I needed to do A LOT of work; the old "practice makes perfect” has never been more relevant when it comes to mastering motorised machines.

On weekdays I would often drive my sister to school (with Mum in the car, of course) and I would jump on any opportunity to chauffeur my parents about as they completed errands around Auckland. Goodness gracious - I even became the designated driver if they wanted to indulge in a glass or two of wine. Regardless of my diligence I still had a last minute panic and booked a lesson with a driving instructor to be sure I was on track. In hindsight, this actually wasn’t necessary if you are lucky, like me, and already have two great teachers (thanks Mum and Dad). So don’t fuss if you haven’t had a lesson before your test, I could have sat the licence without extra tuition.

When we reached Mount Maunganui I needed to familiarise myself with the area, quickly! Everytime we went out, I was behind the wheel and despite a few minor nervous breakdowns, (mainly about the dreaded parallel park), I was feeling almost fearless - until the night before my test that is, when I developed confidence jitters. I actually went out in the dark to try a further 10 parallel parks in the street, in the desperate hope it would aid my success.

After a restless sleep it was time to face the looming reality. Luckily it was pretty convenient to pop over to the vehicle testing station (VTNZ) early in the morning, so there were no traffic nightmares and unwanted tensions about being late. However, as I pulled up, the butterflies in my stomach were going crazy. I still can remember the absolute terror and anxiety I felt as I set off for the long 45 minute driving test which included venturing along the Tauranga motorway and which caught me a bit by surprise! Thankfully, when it came to the parallel park, I was able to execute it perfectly, without curbing the car (phew). My test officer even told me to stop trying to fix the park because he thought it was “pretty damn good”. My nerves eased just a tad.

Soon enough I was back to VTNZ for my fate to be decided. I was sick with worry, not wanting to fail, only to have to re-live this whole experience! When he told me I passed, I kid you not, tears began streaming down my face and I clutched my heart in relief. The months of built up stress left my body rapidly (mostly through my tear ducts). Whilst this was happening my mum and sister were standing watching, thinking the extreme emotion signalled an epic defeat. The examiner had to reassure them it was simply "tears of joy" while I ran to get my photo taken for my new licence, before he changed his mind!

Mum was ecstatic with the pass, not just for my sake but for hers too. She now had an extra errand runner, ready to make quick supermarket dashes, refuel the car, and her personal favourite, carry out emergency coffee runs. Though having your Restricted comes with extra responsibilities, it's worth it. I now can drive myself to school, which has become the highlight of my day!

Though I have to admit finding a park amidst the chaos is definitely stressful, I can get myself to early morning sports' practices, meet friends and much more, relieving my parents of the endless drop-offs/pick-ups.

Good luck to everyone out there who is still yet to sit their Restricted. I know it seems daunting, but you will be forever grateful when you pass and despite this interim licence being called ‘restricted’, I actually feel rather free. (HONOUR MITCHELL)  PN