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1443 days ago

2020 Primary Schools Speech Contest

Rhondda Sweetman from Plimmerton Rotary

On Friday 27 November, Discovery School again hosted the Rotary Primary schools speech contest, and a very fine and popular event it turned out to be.

The nine schools in the Paramoana cluster take part in the contest, and they take things very seriously. Students first have to win their own school’s internal competition before they go forward to the main contest.

All the entrants demonstrated that they had been well-coached in speaking, and had rehearsed their presentations carefully. Some were delivered without the use of notes.

The self-chosen topics varied widely, from the frivolous to the serious. The pitfalls of social media featured, as did other issues which concern pre-teens.

The prize-winners were James Morahan of Plimmerton School, for a comical talk about cookies (the edible sort), and Ronin Herd of Papakowhai School, who explored the belief that the earth is flat.

The event was organised and chaired by Sarah Jenner, teacher at Discovery, but David Knight was again busy behind the scenes, providing the trophies and certificates and support to Sarah. Philip Reidy created the handsome certificates. President Bill McAulay spoke for the club, and Wendy Betteridge and David Pine were on the judging panel.

Our club has sponsored this contest since 2003. It is a friendly event which needs little funding by the club and does much for our prestige in the area. About ten club members were able to attend, and the contestants were well supported by teachers, parents and siblings.

More messages from your neighbours
3 days 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)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.

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Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
  • 84.6% Yes
    84.6% Complete
  • 14% No
    14% Complete
  • 1.4% Other - I'll share below
    1.4% Complete
1566 votes
18 hours ago

It’s Riddle Time – You Might Need an Extra Cup of Coffee!

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

Nobody has ever walked this way. Which way is it?

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.

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2 days ago

What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.

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