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2174 days ago

FOCUS Learning Centre Napier

Robin Hicks from FOCUS Learning Centre Napier

Hi, I’m Robin Hicks. Along with my team of passionate teachers, I run FOCUS Learning Centre on Carlyle Street. We’ve been operating for 5 years now; previously as Kip McGrath, now as FLC. We work with children to maximise their academic success. Many of the younger students we see are not achieving as well as they should be at school. There can be lots of reasons for this, but the ones we see most often are the growing dependence on IT devices, and insufficient work on basic skills; language and maths. This is borne out by a growing body of research. While computers do have a place for practice, they generally make very poor teachers; it is the personal teacher/student relationships that get results. So called “old fashioned” skills, like writing; letter formation and written language skills, spelling, along with basic maths facts are still as valid today as ever, and in fact, science tells us they are critical in the cognitive development of our children. Sadly, these are the skills we regularly see missing in students. These gaps in their learning mean students are unable to keep up, which leads to a loss of confidence, and a downward spiral. We see some remarkable turn-arounds in children in both confidence and achievement when we can fill in these gaps.
Call me to discuss how we might help your children.

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Local Highlight

2 days ago

Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑

Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.

We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?

Want to read more? The Press has you covered!

🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?

53% Human-centred experience and communication

53% Complete
15.7% Critical thinking

15.7% Complete
28.8% Resilience and adaptability

28.8% Complete
2.5% Other - I will share below!

2.5% Complete

364 votes

17 days ago

Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.