Letters 12 Feb
Accolades
No, I’m not a fan of rugby (too much gratuitous violence) but I am a supporter of fundraising for community groups that involves food!
The Collingwood Summer Food Fair, which raised funds for the Collingwood Rugby Club, was an inspiring example, and of course the lovely summer weather helped too. I enjoyed some great protein, a wine or two, and a really relaxing time with friends, enhanced by live music, kids playing cricket, and superb views. Well done on all that.
But the thing that amazes me most is the huge amount of energy that goes into making an event like this happen so successfully. When you think about the collective total of freely given time spent collecting, processing and serving the food, and associated arrangements and costs such as advertising, it’s a huge achievement. Congratulations to everyone involved.
And boundless appreciation of all Golden Bay’s volunteers, who ensure such a vibrant and viable community that attracts people from all over the world. Where would we be without you?
Penny Griffith
National Standards for Primary Schools
The University of Cambridge has completed a thorough six-year study of primary education in the UK. A 40-page summary is available online, and starts its section headed “Summary Justice” as follows:
“If there is one thing the Review’s witnesses, submissions and research evidence are agreed on it is that national tests and tables are narrowing the curriculum, limiting children’s learning and failing to provide sufficiently broad and reliable information about individual children, schools or the primary sector as a whole. They are too limited in scope to tell us much about a particular child’s progress, and no single instrument can fulfill all the tasks expected of the Sats. (the UK system)
It is often claimed that national tests raise standards. At best their impact is oblique, says the Review. High stakes testing leads to “teaching to the test” and even parents concentrate their attention on the areas being tested. It is this intensity of focus, and anxiety about the results and their consequences, which make the initial difference to test scores. But it does not last; for it is not testing which raises standards but good teaching. ”
Peter Foster
Ed. On the writer’s request we have contacted PM Key and Minister of Education Tolley to see if they are aware of the Cambridge study.
Sadly disappointed
I arrived in Takaka Friday 5 February to the wonderful market on the Village Green, only to see the bin overflowing with rubbish. It is now 3pm and the bin still has not been cleared. Why?
The same morning a lovely lady turns up doing a survey from the TDC at a cost, I would say, to the ratepayer at around $300. Maybe some of that money could have been used to empty the bin? This is what happens when you take the infrastructure away from local control. Come on TDC, get it together.
Woody Crow
Reply from TDC utilities asset engineer David Stepehenson: Thanks for the feedback, Woody. During that busy time of the year it’s always a struggle to stay ahead of the rubbish but we do our best. The bins are emptied twice a day but they do fill up quickly. If you ever notice that kind of thing it’d worth dropping in to the TDC Service Centre or giving us a ring because once we’re aware of the problem we can start to address it.
Mardi Gras
A big thank you to all those who made such a success of the 2010 Mardi Gras. The Mardi Gras atmosphere was enhanced by three Takaka venues also offering entertainment plus international buskers and musicians choosing to stay on after the Luminate Festival.
The Mardi Gras happened through the hard work and goodwill of Helen Bracefield, Trevor Kobenstien, Shane Johnston, Tina Bridgman, Colin Coke, The Village Theatre, Terry Langford, OPUS International, Fulton Hogan (Golden Bay), Sicon, Church Of Christ, Mariposa and GBHS. Funding from Pub Charity, TDC, Creative Communities, GB Arts Council and Commercial Street food businesses, allow the Mardi Gras to consistently provide wonderful entertainment, both local and from “over the Hill”.
Yes, it was a little “stranger” this year with a lot more colourful characters around town, but therein lies opportunities for stories to tell for a while.
Dave Myall, Mardi Gras organiser
Summer events
The Golden Bay Community Board thanks and congratulates all of the organisers, helpers and participants for the many community events held during the summer. Such events add colour to the Bay and provide great attractions for locals and visitors. We can all be proud of our wonderfully creative and innovative community.
Joe Bell, chairperson, Golden Bay Community Board
