Don’t settle for average

OUR world is replete with people who excel. Lynne Maher’s article on “gifted” students was particularly insightful (Talking Point, August 26). Whether in science, mathematics, music, language, or sport — excellence or genius is something we celebrate. And while cream rises to the top, it could be argued the Australian scholastic standard does not necessarily provide fully to meet every student’s potential. Every child is important (gifted or otherwise) and the objective should be to draw out those qualities. Teachers perform admirably and with dedication.

However, in terms of the measure, curriculum and process, one may contend there is a requirement to elevate the standard, one that reflects that in Europe, for instance. A middle-of-the-road objective, as seemingly applied in our nation, does not necessarily facilitate our students on the international employment stage. Change lies with the educational hierarchy programmers and government. If there is a discussion to be had in the context of an accelerated and more diverse

Fantastic stadiums

NO need for another stadium. Nic Cummins’ parting comments on a roof for a new stadium are misfounded ( Mercury, August 30). We already have fantastic stadiums in Launceston and Hobart to use for AFL and cricket that can hold up to 20,000 people. When we get our own AFL

Too modest

READER Rodney Quinn says “if the temperature rise is to be kept to 1.5 degrees, Australia’s share will be 0.0195 of degree, compared to China’s 0.45” (Letters, August 23). Rodney is too modest: as a Tasmanian, his individual contribution to rising temperatures is more than twice as large as that of the average Chinese person. We should all play our part in solving problems for which we are all partly responsible — and we have a name for those who don’t — freeloaders.