The Herald produces another intellectually powerful article on the failings of our school system. Apparently, according to some expert voice, if we get rid of cell phones, the problem will be solved. WTF. What suburb did she establish that evidence. Remuera perhaps?
Quote… NZ Writers’ College principal Nichola Meyer said changes in language had been affecting children’s writing skills for years.
“The language they are hearing is all jargon. There is a lot of slang and it’s almost phonetically based and not spelling based.
“So when they have to sit down and write something, it is completely alien to them.”
…unquote.
Then surprise, surprise, in the next paragraph
Quote …The fact that English was a second language to many students was also a big factor, Ms Meyer said, as other cultures were traditionally verbal and therefore reading and writing were not the norm….unquote.
BrianBailey32 minutes ago
Of course there will be 27 or so % below this stupid arbitrary standard. That’s the way the normal curve works, when it comes to intelligence, ability etc. We used to use the curve to establish that in all learning fields. 25% of students were classified as below average, the average ranged from the 25th%ile rank to the 75%. We then expected them to work up to their ability–and they did NOT fail at all. Well done, Tory politicians for classifying these children as unsuccessful. Keep it up! It’s part of your social agenda to stigmatize and disadvantage the children of the poor.
And Nania Mahuta points to a problem with the Nat Standards focusing too much on individualistic competition:
“The Government’s covert attempt to promote league tables will destroy the very best elements of a 21st century education system that requires greater collaboration – not mindless competition.
All that turmoil over National Standards so that it can be said that they have identified some children who are failing. Funny/sad thing is that they were already known. I mean how else did they believe that 20% of children were “failing”? Where did that data come from? The very precise assessments that have been around for years.
What a pity that this extra “focussed help” that Tolley and Parata keep talking about wasn’t applied where it was needed for those underachieving kids who have been known about forever. Now they will say that smaller classes for underachievers would be a help and maybe decent food would help and cultural respect would. Hold your breath.
The Government is doing more than “destroying” child education, it is positively “cruel” toward the children of New Zealand in virtually every respect.
Yes, collecting some hard evidence around educational achievement to help drive where effort and money should be expended. Oh the horror. Why wont they think about the children.
We already knew that and so wasting money on National Standards was just that – a waste of money. On top of that they’ll actually destroy the great educational system we have in NZ and all because a few people can’t understand it.
Hi Paul.
there is no such thing as unbiased objective journalism in New Zealand.
they are handpicked before they even get entry inot J school and then shoulder tapped when they show themselves to be craven apologists for the right.
and wait there is more.
they will never get a job with fox if they break ranks and that is the deciding factor.
they all want a job with the plastic people at fox.
You mean the commentators who raise issues and ideas that you wish wouldn’t get raised? Not like the compliant left-wing media – yes John and Rachel, I especially mean you. But Duncan et al aren’t far behind either.
And on Planet New Zealand’s national radio news, highest ever nett migration figures of 40,000 to Australia. Key will say that this is how we keep up with Australia’s wages- by remittance.
A refreshing bit of candour has been presented to the US Congress by a reputable Climatologist – turns out there are no significant “extreme weather events” related to the ‘hoax’ known as Catastrophic Anthropogenic Global Warming. Also turns out CO2 isn’t the nasty thing the doom sayers all talk about either.
All in all – a good day for the planet. http://wattsupwiththat.com/2012/09/21/dr-john-christys-testimony-before-congress/
So, enjoy the weekend – turns out there are plenty more good ones ahead for us all.
@ Lprent
Ah yes – I’ve heard about the crazies at SkepticalScience.com
To quote them:
“And this isn’t about science or personal careers and reputations any more. This is a fight for survival. Our civilisations survival. .. We need our own anonymous (or not so anonymous) donors, our own think tanks…. Our Monckton’s … Our assassins. Anyone got Bill Gates’ private number, Warren Buffett, Richard Branson? Our ‘side’ has got to get professional, ASAP. We don’t need to blog. We need to network. Every single blog, organisation, movement is like a platoon in an army. ..This has a lot of similarities to the Vietnam War….And the skeptics are the Viet Cong… Not fighting like ‘Gentlemen’ at all. And the mainstream guys like Gleick don’t know how to deal with this. Queensberry Rules rather than biting and gouging. ..So, either Mother Nature deigns to give the world a terrifying wake up call. Or people like us have to build the greatest guerilla force in human history. Now. Because time is up…Someone needs to convene a council of war of the major environmental movements, blogs, institutes etc. In a smoke filled room (OK, an incense filled room)we need a conspiracy to save humanity.”
[As quoted by Geoff Chambers in this Bishop Hill thread. http://www.bishop-hill.net/blog/2012/3/26/opengate-josh-158.html?currentPage=2#comments ]
Yet climate skeptics are being painted as conspiracy theory nutters by the very same people who say“a conspiracy to save humanity” is needed.
Wow! Great to see some light being shone upon these Booze Barns by communities.
Interesting, the impact that demographics is having, and will increasingly have, upon China’s Economy; the numbers of elderly and retired ever-increasing, projected to equal the entire population of Western Europe in 20 years Time, with a diminishing workforce to support them arising from 1-Child policy
With younger generations being discouraged economically to remain in Aotearoa and inter-generational economic and cultural conflict being established through the hegemony of Neoliberalism, what future for our Boomers? Dormitories?
Furthermore, our natural born citizens are increasingly being displaced through the immigration of economically neccesary cheaper labour; workers who are less likely to have economically dependent parents living here.
Very Important!-There are numerous Christian Socialist/Social Political Parties and Movements around the world, particularly in Europe and South America (forget Tony Abbott and Tony Blair)
Yes, I watched the first part of it before I went to work this morning. I particularly like Manning’s description of the Herald as conservative – forget the actual phrase he used – but I liked it when I heard it.
Will watch the rest tomorrow.
Manning and Bradford are both very smart people, and not afraid to tell it clearly and well from a left perspective.
Election to power shouldn’t allow a government to do anything it likes. Consideration must be given to New Zealand’s interests, our environment and especially what the general public wants on any given issue. National has arrogantly ignored both the economic benefit and our conservation ideals by voting not to save the Maui Dolphin, and that makes them a bunch of assholes through and through…
regarding FB and all that other twatting nonsense (recorded in albums)
My son, if sinners (read people on the paths of deception) entice you, do not give in to them.
If they say, “Come along with us; let’s lie in wait for someone’s blood, let’s waylay some harmless soul; let’s swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder;
throw in your lot with us, and we will share a common purse”-
my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; for their feet rush into sin (deception), for they are swift to shed blood.
How useless to spread a net in full view of all the birds! These men lie in wait for their own blood;
they waylay only themselves (personal experience of that)!
Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain; Pr. 1: 10-
rather,
Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares; at the head of the the noisy streets (Christchurch) she cries out, in the gateways of the city she makes her speech:
How long will you simple ones (identify) love your simple ways?
How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? Pr. 1: 20-
IT IS EXCELLENT to learn of the implementation of greater Reading programmes within Corrections; Teach a person to fish and all that..
In a taped appearance on C-SPAN’s “Newsmakers,” Lieberman said he believed reported attacks against the banks “were not done just by random hackers” and that there was “some basis for believing this was an Iranian-sponsored attack.”
Earlier this week, the Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center raised its cyber threat level to “high” from “elevated.” The center warned banks of “recent credible intelligence” about potential cyber attacks against financial institutions “that could make companies’ websites unusable for customers.”
Experts have repeatedly warned about Iran’s ability to launch cyber attacks. In April, Ilan Berman, vice president of the American Foreign Policy Council, told a House panel that the Iranian regime has invested heavily in building up its cyber capabilities and has expressed an increasing desire to use it.
Wondering what this could be actually be about, obvious war drums aside
The program, to be managed by the Department of Homeland Security, would establish cybersecurity standards that companies could voluntarily adopt to better protect banks, telecommunication networks and the U.S. power grid from electronic attacks, the officials, who have seen the draft, said on condition of anonymity because the document hasn’t been made public.
The draft, which remains under review and could change, seeks to implement a key provision in a cybersecurity bill that failed to advance in the Senate last month, the officials said. The administration is contemplating using an executive order because it isn’t clear Congress would pass a cybersecurity bill.
“An executive order is one of a number of measures we’re considering as we look to implement the president’s direction to do absolutely everything we can to better protect our nation against today’s cyberthreats,” White House spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said in an e-mailed statement today. “We are not going to comment on ongoing internal deliberations.”
Recently before Obama was to sign a UN treaty on gun control, the Aurora massacre happened, now while drafting an EO on cyber security, BAM, cyber attacks on banks, and its Irans fault too apparantly!
Well the M.O is familiar and predictable….another stinking pile from the US sewer. No wonder NZ is starting to reek so badly!
The stuxnet thing sucks, no respect for human lives, let alone the equipment.
It must’ve been written with evil intent to do what it did, which was f**k with the power supply.
And based on the damage it was ramping up the voltages etc.
(i.e it was designed to blow up local domestic and industrial appliances)
That’s simply evil, and would cost civilians dearly.
I’d be wondering if Iran still does blame America.
I’d be wondering if Iran still does blame America.
Or perhaps the banks are being “attacked” by the same crew who launched Stux? You know, so as to create the perception of “motive” by Iran, because “you” want to launch a military war against that country!
Or perhaps the banks are not being attacked at all…
Yeah, that’s the one which has made it into the public domain so far.
The digital grid – Like a prison which you can’t see, and most believe to “freedom”, you know, because they get to choose the gadgets to inprison yourself with!
So true, networks fail etc, ultimately you’ll get a hit
But if it rips the ground out from under citizens’ feet (Fear/Heartbreak/Loss)
Where’s the thin blue line going to be drawn for their sakes?
Is it really necessary, all prohibitive cultures being equal at the coal face,
NZ and other experience tells us that fear will lead to Heartbreak.
Which is where the “crazy” comes from … people expressing loss and fear.
Heartbreak/loss also affects memory which is why it repeats itself in the community.
how can he spend so long looking at himself in the mirror?
Have you ever read his columns? they make less sense to most people than mine
(there ya go rodders, a free lesson in self-depreciation) 🙂
Too be honest I don’t recall reading any, but likely some twisted reflection of himself.
Dime a Dozen in some ways, the the problem with a moderated “success driven” lifestyle.
If ya didn’t understand the phrase and then repeat it as gospel, what does that really say?
Do it for long enough, the success emotion becomes so great their body will get angry etc when it’s threatened, strange reaction when you didn’t understand the phrase in the first place.
Almost childish.
Just to think, we are currently exposed to such “columnists” as Rodney Hide, SIR Bob Jones, Paul Holmes (oh, welcome back indeed!), John Roughan, Fran O’Sullivan, and the rest (I will make some allowance for Armstrong, as has been known, from time to time, to strive for a degree of fair-mindedness).
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Fish & Game New Zealand notes the announcement today that the Government and the intensive agriculture leadership have reached a ‘historic consensus’ and are exploring using a formal sector-government agreement instead of bringing agriculture ...
The independent Interim Climate Change Committee’s report on Accelerated Electrification was released today by the Minister for Energy and Resources, Hon Dr Megan Woods. ...
The independent Interim Climate Change Committee’s report Action on agricultural emissions was released today by the Minister for Climate Change, Hon James Shaw and the Minister of Agriculture, Hon Damien O’Connor. ...
Please find attached embargoed copies of two media statements from the Interim Climate Change Committee http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/1907/Embargoed_Interim_Climate_Change_Committee_Accelerated_electrification_MEDIA_STATEMENT.pdf ...
Greenpeace Executive Director, Dr Russel Norman, has reacted with disbelief that the Government’s latest climate proposal includes an option for dairy to voluntarily deal with their emissions over the next six years. ...
This week’s “Youth Parliament” is an expensive waste of time that promotes taxpayer-funded junketeering, says the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union . “We shouldn’t be training kids on the joys of the trough,” says Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson ...
Infrastructure Minister Shane Jones admitted on Q+A tonight that the state of New Zealand’s infrastructure planning is “dismal” and the government needs to get on with building “rather than writing more reports about it.” ...
DairyNZ has released its submission on the Zero Carbon Bill and is calling on the Government to revise the methane target in the Bill to one that does not put at risk New Zealand’s world-leading dairy sector. Farm profit could ...
July 15 (BusinessDesk) - Foreign Minister Winston Peters will have bi-lateral meetings with two of US president Donald Trump's most hawkish defence and security advisers in a five day trip to Washington D.C. ...
Youth climate change campaigners Generation Zero are calling for Members of Parliament to show political courage as the Zero Carbon Bill goes through the crucial Select Committee process. ...
Annual net migration was provisionally estimated at 50,200 (± 800) in the year ended December 2018 compared with 52,600 in the previous year, Stats NZ said today. ...
New Zealanders have the opportunity to contribute to the government’s Review of Retirement Income Policies, including questions around Superannuation and KiwiSaver. Submissions are now open for the Review, being run by the Commission for Financial ...
Yesterday at Mataatua Marae the Tamaki Makaurau Electorate of the Māori party congratulated Rangi Mclean who was appointed to the Vice president Tāne role of the party nation-wide executive. ...
The funding crisis facing the disability sector has become more urgent following the disturbing news that the Ministry of Health will not increase contract prices for providers this year, the New Zealand Disability Support Network said today. ...
The growing number of working poor is an alarming indicator that the regulatory Minimum Wage does not cut it said Closing the Gap spokesperson Peter Malcolm. ...
Historic hui gives overwhelming agreement for a Māori Inquiry The inquiry into state run Oranga Tamariki will be led by whanau, kaimahi and Māori leaders. ...
Drug infiltration into our maximum security prisons is putting prisoners and staff at unnecessary risk, and one tool that would be of huge benefit is a full body scanner. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Larkin, Senior Lecturer in Musicology, University of Sydney Review: Whiteley, Opera Australia, Sydney. Opera Australia’s newest production, Whiteley, brings together three Australian icons. Elena Kats-Chernin, the doyenne of Australian composers, has ...
By RNZ Pacific The United Nations in Papua New Guinea is boosting its presence in the Highlands as it works with the government to improve access to justice for tribal communities. The acting resident coordinator said the massacre of ...
A children’s television presenter, New Zealand’s first supermodel, and bloody Cocksy! Jordan Hamel pays tribute to the Kiwi icons that helped get him through his life.Adolescence was not a great time for me. Depression, anxiety, sexuality, awkward social interactions, emotional ...
The House - The Youth Parliament has beat the real thing to the punch by declaring a climate change emergency this week. Youth Press Gallery member Sophie Dixon reports. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rona Macniven, Research Fellow, University of Sydney Indigenous Australians have a long and proud heritage in both traditional sports and games, and in modern sport through the achievements of people like Johnathan ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alice Gorman, Senior Lecturer in Archaeology and Space Studies, Flinders University It’s 50 years since the two Apollo 11 astronauts – Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin – spent 22 hours collecting samples, ...
The Real Pod assembles to dissect the week in reality television and real life, with special thanks to Nando’s.It’s a wacky, wacky week on The Real Pod this week. But is it wackier than the fact that Gilda Kirkpatrick saw a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Neal Hughes, Senior Economist, Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) Water prices in the southern Murray-Darling Basin have reached their highest levels since the worst of the Millennium ...
It seems inevitable that New Zealand will soon officially be in a state of emergency over climate change, with a declaration likely to be passed in Parliament. Is this a good thing? The debate over moving into official emergency status ...
The newsreader turned talkback host Peter Williams (not Peter Williams) is furious about the mainstream refusal to acknowledge the cheesiness of the moon.I’m sorry but my head still hurts.Yesterday I blew to smithereens the so-called “consensus” on the “science” around ...
Every fish on the iconic New Zealand Commercial Fish Species poster, ranked. There are a few staples of the quintessential fish and chip shop: sticky plastic curtains, soggy paper tickets with a little red number, tin pottles of Wattie’s tomato sauce, ...
Eligible home owners will be able to claim grants for energy-efficient heaters this winter as part of the government's Warmer Kiwi Homes programme. ...
MediaRoom this week: the Media Council backs reporters asking questions, urges caution linking a group to the Christchurch attacks, muses on news vs advertising and wants corrections published faster. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonti Horner, Professor (Astrophysics), University of Southern Queensland Even though we can see the Moon shining brightly in the night sky – and sometimes in daylight – it’s hard to put into ...
By Pacific Media Centre NewsdeskIndonesian President Joko Widodo’s threat to pursue anyone who impedes investment is worrying environmental activists who claim that such actions could criminalise those fighting for the environment, reports CNN Indonesia.Jokowi made the threat ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Monica Barratt, Vice Chancellor’s Senior Research Fellow, Social and Global Studies Centre, RMIT University A NSW Coronial Inquest investigating a series of drug-related deaths at Australian music festivals has heard evidence of ...
The Netball World Cup grand final is tie-proof and won't end in any kind of super over. RNZ's netball reporter Ravinder Hunia who's in Liverpool explains why. ...
Party Line is a new audio work by Evangeline Riddiford Graham that reinvestigates the Cartwright Inquiry, medical mispractice and misogyny through the lens of the #metoo era. In a red room six handsets dangle from the ceiling on their spiral cords. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Neil R Jordan, Lecturer, UNSW Humans and dogs go way back. From wolf totems to the big bad wolf of fact and fairy tale, through sheepdogs, lap dogs, and labradoodles, our relationships ...
For Auckland is a new Spinoff podcast of civic conversations with people working to create and sustain a better Auckland for all. In episode three, host Timothy Giles speaks to Grace Stratton about accessibility, in fashion and in Auckland.She’s launched ...
Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage.New Zealand Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand.Today’s contentForeign affairs and trade Peter Dunne (Newsroom): Beware, nice ...
Human rights activists and refugees are calling on the PM to use her international profile to speak out against China’s persecution of religious groups. ...
Instead of buying a cuppa in exchange for a place to work, Coffee Supreme is flipping the script.For the last 25 years, Coffee Supreme has stuck to what it does best, which is sourcing, roasting, brewing and selling some seriously ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Blaskovich, Senior Research Officer, The University of Queensland Artistic depictions of several chemical elements feature in a new exhibition from today as part of Australia’s celebrations for the International Year of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anthony Hopkins, Senior Lecturer, Australian National University In 2017, a small group of male prisoners participated in an eight-week yoga program at the Alexander Maconochie Centre(AMC), which houses all adult prisoners in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ramon Zenel Shaban, Clinical Chair and Professor of Infection Prevention and Disease Control at the University of Sydney, University of Sydney “Travel safe, travel far, travel wide, and travel often,” saysNomadic ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Bone, Lecturer, Massey University A majority of academic staff at some of Australia’s top universities work in casual or fixed-term positions. This reflects a trend towards casualisation in academia, and other ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Claire Smith, Professor of Archaeology, College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Flinders University The Budj Bim Cultural Landscape in south-west Victoria is the first Indigenous Australian landscape to be gazetted on ...
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will touch down in Melbourne this afternoon, four months after her planned visit to the city was called off due to the Christchurch terror attack. ...
Good morning, and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Union to take legal action against Novopay, building site sediment damaging waterways, and the govt’s road safety strategy explained.Teachers are taking legal action against Novopay, amidst the news their payrise ...
The lawyer representing bankrupt blogger Cameron Slater in a defamation case has been trying since February to withdraw from the case, but a judge keeps declining. Tim Murphy reports. ...
Net migration, skills shortage, and the challenge for employers to hire the people they need are frequent themes in our media, but there is a talent pool trained right here many are overlooking. ...
The young Kiwi sprinters who won relay bronze at the World University Games - setting a new NZ record - can still go much faster on the world stage. ...
A recent issue of Air Force News revealed that a senior NZDF officer served a six-month posting at the Qatar base, placing New Zealanders at the heart of the main targeting and bombing centre in that region, writes Darius ShahtahmasebiLast ...
Figure 10: A Kanak voter wearing a ‘Kanaky New Caledonia’ flag tee shirt at the Loyalty Islands special polling booth in Vallee du Tir, Noumea. Image: David Robie David Robie Wednesday, July 17, 2019 Abstract The French-ruled ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Darren Paul Fisher, Head of Directing, Department of Film, Screen and Creative Media, Bond University Something incredible might be happening to James Bond: a separation, a personal Brexit of sorts. According to ...
Depending on which coalition party you ask, the Government is either introducing a new way to fund community wellbeing or using the same funds to tackle organised crime. ...
Open mike 22/09/2012 
I have been reading and listening to the aftermath of Trump’s comments about the four female first term Democratic representatives, all of whom are “people of color.” I found the US coverage interesting both as evidence of partisanship and the ...4 hours ago
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The proposed Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Bill treats biogenic methane emissions differently from all other carbon emissions. The latter are to be measured net so that emissions from fossil fuels can be offset by carbon stored in trees. ...20 hours ago
by Gearóid Ó Loingsigh This article aims to answer a simple question, whether the conflict is only a rural one or whether it is also urban. The verb ‘to be’ is conjugated in the present tense as ,despite what some ...1 day ago
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On Sunday July 7, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Associate Health Minister Julie Anne Genter announced their intention to review the Ministry of Health’s Funded Family Care policy and repeal Part 4Aof the 2000 NZ Public Health and Disability Act. These are festering injustices ...2 days ago
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The People's "Friend": In this masterpiece of revolutionary propaganda, the homicidal political psychopath, Jean-Paul Marat, has been transformed by Jacques-Louis David, the French Revolution's most accomplished artist, into a martyred hero of the ordinary people of Paris. Thanks to Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook, ...2 weeks ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Larkin, Senior Lecturer in Musicology, University of Sydney Review: Whiteley, Opera Australia, Sydney. Opera Australia’s newest production, Whiteley, brings together three Australian icons. Elena Kats-Chernin, the doyenne of Australian composers, has ...2 hours ago
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Education
The Herald produces another intellectually powerful article on the failings of our school system. Apparently, according to some expert voice, if we get rid of cell phones, the problem will be solved. WTF. What suburb did she establish that evidence. Remuera perhaps?
Quote… NZ Writers’ College principal Nichola Meyer said changes in language had been affecting children’s writing skills for years.
“The language they are hearing is all jargon. There is a lot of slang and it’s almost phonetically based and not spelling based.
“So when they have to sit down and write something, it is completely alien to them.”
…unquote.
Then surprise, surprise, in the next paragraph
Quote …The fact that English was a second language to many students was also a big factor, Ms Meyer said, as other cultures were traditionally verbal and therefore reading and writing were not the norm….unquote.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10835754
And in an article on literacy, they quote Hekia as saying that Reading Recovery is provided to assist children failing in Maths.
Clever, Hekia.
And the first comment below this stuff article sums up the excercise well:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/7715044/Inside-New-Zealand-schools
And Nania Mahuta points to a problem with the Nat Standards focusing too much on individualistic competition:
http://www.labour.org.nz/news/ropey-league-tables-agenda-just-dopey
All that turmoil over National Standards so that it can be said that they have identified some children who are failing. Funny/sad thing is that they were already known. I mean how else did they believe that 20% of children were “failing”? Where did that data come from? The very precise assessments that have been around for years.
What a pity that this extra “focussed help” that Tolley and Parata keep talking about wasn’t applied where it was needed for those underachieving kids who have been known about forever. Now they will say that smaller classes for underachievers would be a help and maybe decent food would help and cultural respect would. Hold your breath.
The Government is doing more than “destroying” child education, it is positively “cruel” toward the children of New Zealand in virtually every respect.
Yes, collecting some hard evidence around educational achievement to help drive where effort and money should be expended. Oh the horror. Why wont they think about the children.
We already knew that and so wasting money on National Standards was just that – a waste of money. On top of that they’ll actually destroy the great educational system we have in NZ and all because a few people can’t understand it.
Which cultures would that be then? 😀 (None of the ones I have taught, and that’s about 10 of them)
John Roughan in today’s Herald, calling for unbiased reporting. Not a trace of irony anywhere. He must live on Planet Key.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10835683
Does he mention Larry Williams, Leighton Smith and the other ‘unbiased’ presenters on Planet ZB?
Hi Paul.
there is no such thing as unbiased objective journalism in New Zealand.
they are handpicked before they even get entry inot J school and then shoulder tapped when they show themselves to be craven apologists for the right.
and wait there is more.
they will never get a job with fox if they break ranks and that is the deciding factor.
they all want a job with the plastic people at fox.
You mean the commentators who raise issues and ideas that you wish wouldn’t get raised? Not like the compliant left-wing media – yes John and Rachel, I especially mean you. But Duncan et al aren’t far behind either.
And on Planet New Zealand’s national radio news, highest ever nett migration figures of 40,000 to Australia. Key will say that this is how we keep up with Australia’s wages- by remittance.
A refreshing bit of candour has been presented to the US Congress by a reputable Climatologist – turns out there are no significant “extreme weather events” related to the ‘hoax’ known as Catastrophic Anthropogenic Global Warming. Also turns out CO2 isn’t the nasty thing the doom sayers all talk about either.
All in all – a good day for the planet.
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2012/09/21/dr-john-christys-testimony-before-congress/
So, enjoy the weekend – turns out there are plenty more good ones ahead for us all.
[lprent: ‘Reputable’ hardly. But I guess that is like saying Watts does peer reviewed research. Here is a rather scathing analysis of that presentation.
http://skepticalscience.com/christy-once-again-misinforms-congress.html ]
@ Lprent
Ah yes – I’ve heard about the crazies at SkepticalScience.com
To quote them:
“And this isn’t about science or personal careers and reputations any more. This is a fight for survival. Our civilisations survival. .. We need our own anonymous (or not so anonymous) donors, our own think tanks…. Our Monckton’s … Our assassins.
Anyone got Bill Gates’ private number, Warren Buffett, Richard Branson? Our ‘side’ has got to get professional, ASAP. We don’t need to blog. We need to network. Every single blog, organisation, movement is like a platoon in an army. ..This has a lot of similarities to the Vietnam War….And the skeptics are the Viet Cong… Not fighting like ‘Gentlemen’ at all. And the mainstream guys like Gleick don’t know how to deal with this. Queensberry Rules rather than biting and gouging.
..So, either Mother Nature deigns to give the world a terrifying wake up call. Or people like us have to build the greatest guerilla force in human history. Now. Because time is up…Someone needs to convene a council of war of the major environmental movements, blogs, institutes etc. In a smoke filled room (OK, an incense filled room)we need a conspiracy to save humanity.”
[As quoted by Geoff Chambers in this Bishop Hill thread.
http://www.bishop-hill.net/blog/2012/3/26/opengate-josh-158.html?currentPage=2#comments ]
Yet climate skeptics are being painted as conspiracy theory nutters by the very same people who say “a conspiracy to save humanity” is needed.
“a conspiracy to save humanity” is needed.
Yes and why not? If the corporates and governments conspire to do nothing, then maybe the people will have to act?
What are the choices, and what are their outcomes?
http://www.tumeke.blogspot.co.nz/
A particularly good ‘Citizen A’ with Sue Bradford and Selwyn Manning.
Actual Link
Just have to mention here that I absolutely hate the Tumeke website.
Wow! Great to see some light being shone upon these Booze Barns by communities.
Interesting, the impact that demographics is having, and will increasingly have, upon China’s Economy; the numbers of elderly and retired ever-increasing, projected to equal the entire population of Western Europe in 20 years Time, with a diminishing workforce to support them arising from 1-Child policy
With younger generations being discouraged economically to remain in Aotearoa and inter-generational economic and cultural conflict being established through the hegemony of Neoliberalism, what future for our Boomers? Dormitories?
Furthermore, our natural born citizens are increasingly being displaced through the immigration of economically neccesary cheaper labour; workers who are less likely to have economically dependent parents living here.
Very Important!-There are numerous Christian Socialist/Social Political Parties and Movements around the world, particularly in Europe and South America (forget Tony Abbott and Tony Blair)
“Just have to mention here that I absolutely hate the Tumeke website.”
why?
It’s slow and difficult to navigate.
God Bless lprent!
And the heavens paused ….
Please don’t moderate me sir //0-0\
I know I’m a bit crazy …. but I mean well 😀
Yes, I watched the first part of it before I went to work this morning. I particularly like Manning’s description of the Herald as conservative – forget the actual phrase he used – but I liked it when I heard it.
Will watch the rest tomorrow.
Manning and Bradford are both very smart people, and not afraid to tell it clearly and well from a left perspective.
Kate Wilkinson – Asshole of the Week
Election to power shouldn’t allow a government to do anything it likes. Consideration must be given to New Zealand’s interests, our environment and especially what the general public wants on any given issue. National has arrogantly ignored both the economic benefit and our conservation ideals by voting not to save the Maui Dolphin, and that makes them a bunch of assholes through and through…
Billy Bragg – I love that guy, his views, his music and his politics.
Great song A New England and . great smackdown of BNP candidate
plus he was on with our Kim this morning.
Ta Marty. That “smackdown” did my heart good.
Doublethink, propaganda and how far people will go to deny cognitive dissonance
WRT to uncle Sam, our new BFF.
Slim Gaillard Quartette – Atomic Cocktail.
So how come kweewee was out of the country when Leon Panetta was in town.
I don’t think the Americans trust him.
It’s not Obama or Hilary so why bother, get a lackey instead.
regarding FB and all that other twatting nonsense (recorded in albums)
My son, if sinners (read people on the paths of deception) entice you, do not give in to them.
If they say, “Come along with us; let’s lie in wait for someone’s blood, let’s waylay some harmless soul; let’s swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder;
throw in your lot with us, and we will share a common purse”-
my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; for their feet rush into sin (deception), for they are swift to shed blood.
How useless to spread a net in full view of all the birds! These men lie in wait for their own blood;
they waylay only themselves (personal experience of that)!
Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain; Pr. 1: 10-
rather,
Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares; at the head of the the noisy streets (Christchurch) she cries out, in the gateways of the city she makes her speech:
How long will you simple ones (identify) love your simple ways?
How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? Pr. 1: 20-
IT IS EXCELLENT to learn of the implementation of greater Reading programmes within Corrections; Teach a person to fish and all that..
Having been somwhat uncomfortable at the lack of genuine propaganda on Iran of late, This from Senator Joe Lieberman
Wondering what this could be actually be about, obvious war drums aside
President Barack Obama’s administration is drafting an executive order that would create a program protecting vital computer networks from cyber attacks, according to two former government officials with direct knowledge of the effort.
Recently before Obama was to sign a UN treaty on gun control, the Aurora massacre happened, now while drafting an EO on cyber security, BAM, cyber attacks on banks, and its Irans fault too apparantly!
Well the M.O is familiar and predictable….another stinking pile from the US sewer. No wonder NZ is starting to reek so badly!
Interesting ….
The IP network has always been open, again the majority of the time it’s left alone for the sake of commerce and communication.
But it’s not the only one, and redundancy is what those institutions need if they are serious about “Cyber Protection”
The problem is the “Mystery” when service fails, thruth is it’s a very easy thing to do.
And yes it’ll affect everyone if you do the homework.
Caches still need a “Source”, it’ll simply stop.
Yas have to remember we are talking about government institutions
The stuxnet thing sucks, no respect for human lives, let alone the equipment.
It must’ve been written with evil intent to do what it did, which was f**k with the power supply.
And based on the damage it was ramping up the voltages etc.
(i.e it was designed to blow up local domestic and industrial appliances)
That’s simply evil, and would cost civilians dearly.
I’d be wondering if Iran still does blame America.
I’d be wondering if Iran still does blame America.
Or perhaps the banks are being “attacked” by the same crew who launched Stux? You know, so as to create the perception of “motive” by Iran, because “you” want to launch a military war against that country!
Or perhaps the banks are not being attacked at all…
BTW this US programme is just as likely to be used against US citizens as to defend against scary foreigners.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/%E2%80%9Cwe-are-far-turnkey-totalitarian-state-big-brother-goes-live-september-2013
Yeah, that’s the one which has made it into the public domain so far.
The digital grid – Like a prison which you can’t see, and most believe to “freedom”, you know, because they get to choose the gadgets to inprison yourself with!
Genius!
So true, networks fail etc, ultimately you’ll get a hit
But if it rips the ground out from under citizens’ feet (Fear/Heartbreak/Loss)
Where’s the thin blue line going to be drawn for their sakes?
Is it really necessary, all prohibitive cultures being equal at the coal face,
NZ and other experience tells us that fear will lead to Heartbreak.
Which is where the “crazy” comes from … people expressing loss and fear.
Heartbreak/loss also affects memory which is why it repeats itself in the community.
Is it just me, or has Rodney Hide launched a one man campaign against the union movement?
He pritty much announced it a week or more so ago.
Good luck on that one M8!
Yeah M8!, Snowballs chance!
how can he spend so long looking at himself in the mirror?
Have you ever read his columns? they make less sense to most people than mine
(there ya go rodders, a free lesson in self-depreciation) 🙂
Too be honest I don’t recall reading any, but likely some twisted reflection of himself.
Dime a Dozen in some ways, the the problem with a moderated “success driven” lifestyle.
If ya didn’t understand the phrase and then repeat it as gospel, what does that really say?
Do it for long enough, the success emotion becomes so great their body will get angry etc when it’s threatened, strange reaction when you didn’t understand the phrase in the first place.
Almost childish.
Rodney Hide and the Whalespew army are out to get the unions. I’d hardly be worried.
Just to think, we are currently exposed to such “columnists” as Rodney Hide, SIR Bob Jones, Paul Holmes (oh, welcome back indeed!), John Roughan, Fran O’Sullivan, and the rest (I will make some allowance for Armstrong, as has been known, from time to time, to strive for a degree of fair-mindedness).