15 July 2020

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Nelson Weekly Locally Owned and Operated

Wednesday 15 July 2020

Becoming a 'Big Brother'

Good sorts in sports

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‘We can fight this if we’re loud enough’ Kate Russell Nelson parents have spoken, and they want a co-ed secondary school in the city. With the news that Nayland College will be implementing a zone from the beginning of 2022, parents have come forward with their concerns about there being no co-ed choice in Nelson, in a newlycreated Facebook group. ‘Whanau for Co-educational Choice’ has quickly grown to nearly 250 members in just one week, with its creator Jaynie Holmes saying they won’t be giving up without a fight. “With Nayland College zoned, it would leave only singlesex school options for our children - Nelson College and Nelson College for Girls. “We don't live in a single-sex world, so why should a singlesex school be forced on us?” The mother of six says she already has one year nine student at Nayland College, and is distraught her other children may not be able to attend there. Several members of the group have written to the Ministry

of Education, and a petition to parliament asking for the legislation to be changed to require the ministry to offer co-ed college education for all New Zealanders is due to be launched. “It should be a human right,” says Jaynie. Nelson Weekly reported on 1 July that the ministry would be introducing a zone for the Stoke college, due to it rapidly nearing its 1330 student capacity. Principal Daniel Wilson says the decision is “out of their control” with the ministry stating that there were no options for the school to expand. The ministry has told the Weekly that “a new secondary school is not needed [in Nelson] in the next few years”. “[Nayland College] has experienced an increased demand for enrolments, while Nelson College for Girls and Nelson College have experienced a decline in enrolments,” says Katrina Casey, Deputy Secretary, Sector Enablement and Support.

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Matariki Festival organisers Casey Anderson and Pania Lee, of Nelson City Council, with photos of essential workers that will be projected onto the side of Civic House. Photo: Andrew Board.

Matariki back with a bang Lights, song and a spectacular fireworks display at Neale Park sponsored by Pomeroy’s will round off Nelson City Council’s Matariki Festival this Saturday. Unique to this year’s festival is a tribute in the form of images of essential service workers and messages of thanks that will be beamed onto the side of Civic House in a light art display during

the evening’s celebrations. The entire event will be livestreamed on council’s Facebook page and YouTube channel - but for those attending in person, free buses to see the fireworks will be available to and from Akersten St before and after the display. Volunteers from Coastguard Nelson will also be out collecting

donations for their new vessel in the Akersten St area. Mayor Rachel Reese says Matariki is a time to reflect on the past, acknowledge the present, and to look forward to the future. “The past few months have been a challenging time for all of us and the determination, resilience and strength our community has shown has been incredible.”

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15 July 2020 by Top South Media - Issuu