Should schools stop asking parents for donations?
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.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
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)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84.1% Yes
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14.2% No
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1.6% Other - I'll share below
Today's Riddle: Guaranteed Brain Stretch!
What bird is the strongest of them all?
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$100 Briscoes winners
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!