Whangārei parade a real Christmas cracker
I have to say I loved the Whangārei Christmas Parade on Saturday. I took the grandkids and they thought it was amazing.
I loved the way there was so many people lining the streets and at the Cameron St shared space celebrating the day and enjoying the entertainment.
After Christmas being virtually canceled the last two years due to Covid, it was really nice to see the parade restored and keeping so many happy and amused.
One thing the organisers may want to consider is that in the lead up when I spoke to my friends about it, some did not know that it was even on.
I saw it advertised in the Northern Advocate and heard it on the radio, and my daughter says she saw a lot about it on social media, but I wonder what else could be done to let more people know next year?
It’s clear people want these kinds of fun, family entertainment events, and those that went along seemed to enjoy it judging by all the smiling faces I saw, so let’s see if we can get even more people there next year.
But please don’t think this is a gripe as we had a wonderful time, so thanks to all those who spent their time and efforts organising such a great event. J Watson Whangārei
An old-school model
At one stage of my teaching career, I was senior teacher at what was at the time New Zealand's only residential school for disturbed pupils unable to attend a normal school because of their behaviour, which in many cases was violent and very disturbed. The staff were a collection of selected people with sporting, musical, artistic and teaching abilities selected carefully to work as a team.
The school had its own domestic staff and visiting psychologists etc. No doubt it cost a lot to run, with about 30 pupils, mainly boys, with a smaller dorm for girls. It was often very hard work for all staff, including the gardener, but it got results. Beautifully prepared healthy meals. Visits to factories and places of interest like the naval base or hot pools, beaches, bush camps, boat trips.
At times there were tantrums, requiring strong adult arms usually followed by tears and an understanding talk with trained sympathetic staff. Bedtime stories and discussions and listening to pupils thoughts was as valuable as school time. Many learned to deal with problems and several went on to be highly professional leaders and others [gained] trade qualifications.
The fetal alcohol poisoning cases, I feared we could make little progress with. What worked in most cases was security, small group or one-to-one teaching, trusted and consistent management by domestic staff and teachers. Staff meetings were all hands, the cook, psychologists and all.
We are seeing more disturbed young people in our society than ever
and I fear poor parenting is responsible in most cases. I also hold outdated right-wing political policies responsible for creating much of the financial imbalance in society that leads to educational failure and deprived children. It’s even responsible for pot holes in our roads and an education system kept going by hard working, make-do teachers.
I'm talking of Mt Wellington Residential School over 50 years ago, long gone but a successful experimental school of its time — but expensive.
Sam McHarg
Kerikeri