Are class sizes too big these days?
Primary, secondary and kindergarten teachers are striking this week as they look for a pay offer that meets inflation at 7.2% and makes concessions around staffing issues - in particular, student to teacher ratios.
A ratio of 1 teacher for 23 students applies for year 11 students, however support staff can be counted as teachers so the reality is that class sizes can be much higher.
What do you think are the ideal sizes for classrooms?
Type NFP alongside your comments if you don't wish these to be shared in the We Say You Say column of the local paper.
Worst Xmas ever?
There's a a lot of planning that goes into Christmas day and sometimes things just don't go to plan. But it can be a good thing - a family mishap or hilarious memory that you can laugh about in Christmases to come.
Whether you burnt the dinner or were stranded at an airport...
Share your Christmas mishaps below!
⚠️ DOGS DIE IN HOT CARS. If you love them, don't leave them. ⚠️
It's a message we share time and time again, and this year, we're calling on you to help us spread that message further.
Did you know that calls to SPCA about dogs left inside hot cars made up a whopping 11% of all welfare calls last summer? This is a completely preventable issue, and one which is causing hundreds of dogs (often loved pets) to suffer.
Here are some quick facts to share with the dog owners in your life:
👉 The temperature inside a car can heat to over 50°C in less than 15 minutes.
👉 Parking in the shade and cracking windows does little to help on a warm day. Dogs rely on panting to keep cool, which they can't do in a hot car.
👉 This puts dogs at a high risk of heatstroke - a serious condition for dogs, with a mortality rate between 39%-50%.
👉 It is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act to leave a dog in a hot vehicle if they are showing signs of heat stress. You can be fined, and prosecuted.
SPCA has created downloadable resources to help you spread the message even further. Posters, a flyer, and a social media tile can be downloaded from our website here: www.spca.nz...
We encourage you to use these - and ask your local businesses to display the posters if they can. Flyers can be kept in your car and handed out as needed.
This is a community problem, and one we cannot solve alone. Help us to prevent more tragedies this summer by sharing this post.
On behalf of the animals - thank you ❤️
Term 1 Classes are open for enrolment now - sign up early for 2025!
Discover a wide variety of engaging classes and activities perfect for every interest and skill level. Whether you’re looking to refine your talents or dive into something new, there’s a class waiting for you!
🌟 NEW CLASSES 🌟
Starting in Term 1 we're introducing 16 brand new classes! These classes include:
• Ceramics: Handbuilding Clay; Alcohol Ink Workshop; Anxiety Management; Senior Swans, and more!
See all of our new classes here: villagesquare.org.nz...
🌟 SUMMER ART INTENSIVES 🌟
Thanks to funding from Waitematā Local Board, we'll be bringing you a series of Art Intensive workshops over the Summer Holidays! Find more information here: villagesquare.org.nz...
🌟READY TO ENROL?🌟
Use the links below to see our full Term 1 and 2 programme and enrol online:
• Digital Brochure: villagesquare.org.nz...
• Enrol Online: villagesquare.org.nz...
We can't wait to see you in 2025!