Posts by Tony Parker

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  • Discussion: Closer to Home?,

    At best, they're prepared to stay for the first few years, but as soon as it's time for school they speed home to NZ or to Aus.

    As far as this goes the expats are going to have to look more closely as this government slowly but systematically destroys public education in NZ moving ever more closely to systems being discarded in places like England and the States. National Standards, 35 mill for independent schools, cutting ACE funding.And that's just the start.

    Napier • Since Nov 2008 • 232 posts Report

  • Hard News: Be the party of good science,

    Just seen on ONE news-Sharples claiming that in response for the Maori party support for the ETS there would be an increase in benefits. Bennett didn't want a bar of it and neither did Key. Sharples then tried to explain it was just discussion at this stage. Not a lot of communication there then.

    Napier • Since Nov 2008 • 232 posts Report

  • Hard News: The roof was on fire,

    They can't. But the links Russell posted for Heavenly Pop Hits were to NZ On Screen - and you can access that from anywhere :)

    That's what you get for not reading things properly. I blame the kids who keep trying to come into the classroom at lunchtime and annoying me! :)

    Napier • Since Nov 2008 • 232 posts Report

  • Hard News: The roof was on fire,

    Do let your offshore indie friends know.

    Can people overseas access TVNZ online as I posted a link for the 7 Worlds Collide doco on a list and they couldn't access it in the states?

    Napier • Since Nov 2008 • 232 posts Report

  • Hard News: The son that got away,

    Those are the words of a man, IMO, that fancies himself, rather more than is healthy.

    Couldn't agree more. I, along with about 700 others in education went to see Mr Latta in Hastings last term expecting some ideas on how to deal with difficult children. What we got was the Nigel Latta self promotional comedy show. In fact I felt his attitude tended to belittle the behaviour of children and some adults.

    Napier • Since Nov 2008 • 232 posts Report

  • Hard News: The son that got away,

    In my 30 odd years as a teacher experience showed that corporal punishment really only had an affect on the behaviour of those you would class as "good kids". They were the ones afraid of it and made sure they didn't get into situations where it could be used on them. The rest couldn't care less and some saw it as a badge of honour. Baldock doesn't know shit about what happens in school if he's saying the abandonment of corporal punishment is responsible for the problems we have. There are many reasons-family/socio-economic/health etc but the removal of the strap isn't one of them. If I was to look at the kids in my class the one that presents the biggest challenge comes from a violent family with no moral compass so me giving it to him at school as well isn't going to change his behaviour. Another comes from a gang background with all that brings so strapping her wouldn't help either. Mind you she's also the one who will suddenly give you a big hug with out warning, runny nose and all.

    Napier • Since Nov 2008 • 232 posts Report

  • Up Front: Does My Mortgage Look Like a…,

    In the real world, however sad it might be, it makes sense not to wear a pork chop around your neck if you wander through places where hyenas lurk.

    And sometimes that pork chop can be something as simple as sitting in your car chilling with mates. I guess there's just a mean streak out there that doesn't care what it inflicts on others.

    Napier • Since Nov 2008 • 232 posts Report

  • Up Front: Does My Mortgage Look Like a…,

    At the other end of the scale I'm just wondering what people think about young (and some not so young) women who wear their pyjamas to the supermarket, often in the middle of the day. Or is this just a Hawkes Bay thing?

    Napier • Since Nov 2008 • 232 posts Report

  • Up Front: Does My Mortgage Look Like a…,

    As an aside, I fully endorse Emma's standpoint (not a reference to the braille t-shirt) and the remark someone made about the onus being on the person viewing the outfit not to make an arse of themselves by reading into a costume something from within their own fevered imagination (like she is gagging for it - she isn't!)

    Couldn't agree more but unfortunately somewhere during the night a line gets crossed and it all gets messy whether it's a dickhead misreading something into a woman's attire, the drunk guy falling over every second punter in the bar, wearing the wrong colours in certain parts of town or just looking at someone the wrong way and no matter how much No means No a person's safety cannot always be maintained. I'm not sure what this adds to the discussion but if we all want the freedom of a good night we need to take care.

    Napier • Since Nov 2008 • 232 posts Report

  • Up Front: The Up Front Guide to Parenting,

    I've had some fairly interesting conversations with people who couldn't understand why I'd send my daughter to the local decile 7 school, when there's a decile 8 school only a kilometre further away. "Because we can walk to it more easily and her friends go there" isn't what Good Parents do, apparently.

    A little bit like stories my London based brother tells me about their friends who are going to church for the first time in their lives so that they can get their children into church run public schools.

    Of course all you unemployed degree holders could become teachers. It's what you do when all else fails! :)

    Napier • Since Nov 2008 • 232 posts Report

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