localmatters.co.nz
November 14, 2018
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Inside this issue Kiwi chick spotted page 7
Why Jacob Batten met the royals page 15
Local police are putting on their Santa hats this Christmas, collecting donations of festive food that they will pass on to people in need. Hibiscus Matters is also collecting for this cause. From left, Whangaparaoa watchouse officer Charlotte Jones, community constable Sam Webb and constable Nicola Paterson, of Whangaparaoa Police (see stories p5 and 23)
Pacific dances break the ice page 17
Cancelled prizegiving causing controversy Silverdale School will no longer hold an end of year prizegiving, saying that rewarding some children over others does not align with its values. The decision is believed to be a first for New Zealand primary schools. Principal Cameron Lockie and his senior leadership team, with the support of the Board of Trustees, announced the decision in the
school newsletter last month. No prior consultation with the school community took place and the feedback after the announcement was vociferous. Among parents’ concerns were a lack of opportunity for reward and recognition for their children that could result from not having a prizegiving event. Mr Lockie says the decision was based
on abundant evidence that awards and other external incentives undermine intrinsic motivation. “For the majority of children who don’t receive awards, the prizegiving spurs boredom, anger or resentment,” he says. “Handing out awards at the end of year prizegiving doesn’t align with our beliefs and values.” Silverdale’s end of year prizegiving
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awarded children in each class with Most Improved, Commitment to Learning, Classroom Citizen, Excellence in Literacy and Excellence in Mathematics certificates. However, Mr Lockie says it is too difficult to select just one student out of a class of 20 to 30 for these awards. He says some awards will still be continued page 2
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