C
617 days ago

Deliver science kits to Kiwi kids – ace volunteer drivers needed

Cate from Island Bay

Help the House of Science, a Charitable Trust, with its work taking awesome practical science kits into primary and intermediate schools. We’re after drivers to deliver and collect science kits that have been loaned out from our kit library (based at Miramar Central School) to schools from the South coast up to Pukerua Bay.

Timings are Thursday mornings and/or Friday mornings and/or Monday mornings once a fortnight, during school terms only. 9-9.30am start, for a 2-3 hour shift maximum (dependent on number of schools and their locations - it could be shorter). We reimburse travel expenses for the delivery/collection route, from our base (at Miramar Central School) and return at 79c/km (reimbursed monthly).

On a delivery/collection morning you’d come first to our base at Miramar Central School, pick up a set of kits in their large plastic tubs (as many as would fit comfortably in your car) and a collapsible hand truck/trolley. Then you’d head out to drop off those kits to the list of schools you’ve been given (they just get dropped at the school office/reception area), usually swapping them out for the kit the school has had for the previous fortnight. Once you’ve done all your deliveries/pick ups, you’d return to base at Miramar Central School to offload all collected kits and the hand truck/trolley.

We're looking for people who:
- want to be part of a small but fun volunteer team making a contribution to Kiwi kids' education
- have a full driver's licence and their own car
- can lift and move boxes of up to 25 kg in and out of their vehicle, and move several boxes of this size at a time on a hand truck
- have a friendly, 'can do' attitude
- are confident driving and following routes which may vary fortnight to fortnight.

Note: a Police check will be required, since you'd be working on school grounds.

If you're interested, please contact Cate Shave on cate.shave@houseofscience.nz or 021 554 702. We'd love to hear from you!

More messages from your neighbours
19 days ago

Six tips for improving security around your home

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

1) Improve outdoor lighting
Ensure that streets, driveways, and front yards are well-lit. Motion-sensor lights around homes deter trespassers by reducing hiding spots and illuminating their movements.

2) Trim your trees
Overgrown shrubs and trees provide cover for intruders. Keeping them well-trimmed around windows and doors improves visibility and reduces potential hiding spots.

3) Secure Entry Points
Ensure doors, windows, and gates are always closed when you are away from the house. Upgrade to more secure locks, deadbolts, or even smart locks for added protection.

4) Add a security camera
Place security cameras in the main entry points to your home. Doorbell cameras are also relatively cheap and a great way to keep track of who is visiting your home when you aren't there.

5) Start a Neighborhood Watch Program
You could reach out to members on Neighbourly to form a group of neighbors who can regularly keep an eye out for suspicious activity and report it. You could also check with Neighbourhood Support to see what is existing in your area.

6) Introduce yourself to your neighbours
The closer you are to your neighbors, the more likely they’ll notice when something unusual or suspicious is happening around your property

Feel free to share anything that you do around your area to deter crime.

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7 days ago

What workplace change would you like to see most?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

This coming Monday is Labour Day in New Zealand. This public holiday marks when the eight-hour workday and 48-hour workweek became law in 1899. The idea started with Samuel Parnell, a carpenter in Wellington, who in 1840 refused to work more than eight hours a day. Since skilled workers were in short supply, his employer had to agree.

As more skilled workers arrived, employers tried to change working conditions, but Parnell and others kept pushing for better rights. In 1890, Parnell led a Labour Day parade of 1,500 people to promote the eight-hour day. He passed away shortly after, and nine years later, Labour Day became an official public holiday.

Do you feel that we have reached the ideal in working environments yet? What rights are you passionate about relating to employment? Share your thoughts!

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9 hours ago

Combining biking with bus travel

Sue from Brooklyn

Hi neighbours
Anyone out there who, like me, would love to bike more, but have difficulty getting their bike on the rack on the bus ? It's sometimes necessary, so as to avoid steep hills and roads where I don't feel safe.
Metlink say their drivers aren't meant to help.