Back
1862 days ago

Should schools stop asking parents for donations?

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

Hi neighbours - it was introduced to reduce the "significant financial pressure" on Kiwi families, but so far only about one in four eligible schools have signed up to the Government scheme to replace voluntary donations.

Under the draft Education Amendment Bill, decile 1-7 state and state-integrated schools can opt to receive a payment of $150 per student, per year if they agree not to ask parents or caregivers for donations.

But as of last week, with just over a month to go until boards of trustees need to register, only 471 out of 1749 schools had told the Ministry of Education that they intend to sign up to the initiative.

In Canterbury, Shirley Boys' High School has rejected the discretionary grants, with headmaster John Laurenson saying its co-curriculum programme "would have to cease" if it took up the Government's offer.

Image
More messages from your neighbours
7 hours ago

Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.

This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
.
Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.

Image
Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
  • 84.1% Yes
    84.1% Complete
  • 14.2% No
    14.2% Complete
  • 1.6% Other - I'll share below
    1.6% Complete
365 votes
19 hours ago

Today's Riddle: Guaranteed Brain Stretch!

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

What bird is the strongest of them all?

Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

Image
19 hours ago

$100 Briscoes winners

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Congrats to our winners of the $100 Briscoes vouchers:

Miriam Comans from Hataitai

Tash Rawlinson from Beach Haven

Blair Mayston from Maryhill

David Tomlinson from Tauranga

If you're a winner, get in touch here before 20th November.

Not a winner this week? There's always next week!

Image