Results with changes

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 527, 15 March 1994, Page 4

Results with changes

• The days when schools were "sit stilleries" are long gone and no-one regrets their passing. In their wake we have had a series of sy stems each claiming to be an inspiration to the rest of the world. Now on the local scene we have the instigators of vertical grouping, or multilevel class Structure, making the same claim. The claim could well be true, but until the Board of Trustees and the Principal will agree to meet the sceptical parents so that "they may have their say" as promised in Tomorrow's Schools, doubts will remain. In its present form I do not think multi-level class structure - vertical grouping - is the right angle at all. (Pardon the pun). Classes are too large and few teachers are trained for it. In some instances it is claimed that children are recei ving carefully worked out individual programmes. To niake them worthwhile, such programmes would have to be individually and carefully marked.

From my observation over the past four years of my grand-children' s books, I see that this is rarely so. Sometimes work is not marked at all, or when marked, the most glaring mistakes have been missed in maths, spelling and English. Some spelling errors are caused by sloppy diction. Is speech training no longer on the time-table? Has all praise become verbal? Absent are gold and silver stars, stamps and only occasionally is there written praise, yet sometimes some of the work has had hours of preparation put into it and it is very good. In fairness, I have to say that on the social side most children seem happy which

is a big plus, but surely it is possible to have better academic achievement as well?"

June

Bates.

have any travellers stopping to buy their refreshments and browse over our wares. Are you one of those people looking for a car-park between 11 -2pm to find cars, caravans and camper vans lining the street? Do you hear the deafening noise from the youngsters delighted with the tank while their parents enjoy a lei surely break from driving? It is in the summer that the park is cotfStantly in use by our local families and equally, our visitors, who are attracted by its locality. .It's one of those idyllic spots you stumble upon and find yourself taken in by. Its tables and its closeness to toilets are used by all from early morning teastoppers to the late evening travellers. Or those local mums who are happy to sit and chat with others while their children play. Concern for the river is easily addressed by a fence - surely a fence would be erected on its new location! Unattended children are a thing of the past now. Regardless of where a playground is to be situated, playing facilities of some variety and lunch tables must be maintained on Clyde Street. So let our 'segregated' mothers and their children play at Christie Park and we will witness the stillconstant use of Jubilee Park by the ones who still appreciate its ideal location and attractiveness. All those interested can sign a petition - available in each of the following stores: Signed by the proprietors of: Beedees, Mawhenua Farms, Ohakune Library, A A Travel, Bucks Drapery, Jean City, Ohakune TV Electrical Ltd, Machinery Supplies.

Local projects first

• I trust the Councillors are reading the correspondence related to the proposed expenditure on tree planting. Trees will certainly improve the visual impact if they are carefully selected and planted in appropriate locations. I also support P S Bishop - 'Dust free before trees'. There are specific aspects of Ohakune that need more urgent attention. For a small cost, existing facilities in need of improvement and maintenance would find more favour with visitors (like myself) and locals. For example the bridge across the stream with access from Goldfinch Street leads to a walk-way frequented by visitors. A grader or work-gang with slashers and then a few trees would improve a very accessible walk-way and at the same time maintain a public road. Local projects which improve the existing environment are more likely to find favour with locals and visitors. Ratepayers, ratemoney needs to be spent on