How to include all kids in our schools
We held our big multicultural festival at Oranga School yesterday. Everyone was included: the show started with kapa haka and finished with a sequin-bedazzled Bollywood dance performance. The paths and ramps smoothed for children's wheelchairs were walked by hundreds of neighbours and family members, making their way up to the food stalls, where Cook Island chicken and chop suey vied for our money with Spanish paella.
It was disappointing, then, to come into work to tell the story of Christian Cosgrove, a high -functioning autistic 9-year-old who was this week expelled by his Christchurch school after a string of incidents culminated in him lashing out.
We expect our state schools to provide an education for all - and that especially includes those like Christian with special needs. New education minister Chris Hipkins admits we need to do better.
But, as I write in my Sunday Star-Times editorial today, the new government and Ministry of Education need to put their money where their mouth is to include both children like Christian and the other kids around them who are trying to learn. - Jonathan Milne, editor
www.stuff.co.nz...
Poll: Have you had a pen pal?
With the invention of the internet and mobile phone communication, pen pals seem to be a thing of the past but it was a common practice at one point.
Did you have a pen pal? Where did you meet them? Share below!
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66.8% Yes
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33% No
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0.3% Other - I'll share below!
Latest scams to look out for 👀
Neighbourly hopes to keep you safe by keeping you informed of the latest scams circulating. This week, we are sharing two common text message scams:
NZTA / Waka Kotahi scam:
- The scam is a text message saying it's from New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, and it encourages the recipient to pay an overdue road toll by visiting a fake website, threatening to take the matter to court within 15 days if they don’t pay up.
- The aim is to trick people into giving away their personal details or pay them money.
- While it is not the first time toll payments have been utilised by scammers, the threat of court action could see more people fall victim.
- The sender will either be a unknown phone number or unknown email address.
Want to report one of these scams? Do so, on Netsafe
NZ Post scam:
- This scam arrives by test message and says it's from NZ Post.
- The premise is that delivery of your parcel was unsuccessful so in order to rearrange delivery. you must click on a link to give your correct address.
- The aim is to trick people into giving away their personal details or pay them money.
- NZ Post advises people not to click the link, but to report the message to the Department of Internal Affairs by forwarding it to 7726.
Think you may have fallen prey to a scam? Get in touch with Netsafe or contact your bank if it involved your bank details.
Remember, if you didn't expect the message and you are now asked to share personal details or money, then stop contact and seek advice elsewhere.
Feel free to share any below that you've encountered recently. This may help others across the country be aware.
Hey Neighbours, can you outsmart this riddle?
If two’s company and three’s a crowd, what are four and five?
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