FUTURE GENERATION YOUTH EMPIRE PRESENTS THEIR NEW SINGLE “CHANGE” Following their internet parody pop hit ‘Nek Minnit’ which has received over 100,000 You-tube hits, TV and Radio play, it hit #30 on the NZ iTunes Charts and #11 on the RIANZ NZ Singles Chart 2011 last year. Youth Empire has literally ‘changed’ the tune with this new song proving there’s no box big enough to fit them in. Back with some emcee rapping and high production quality videos. The lyrics and music produced by lead recording artist Tumehe Rongonui in the week leading up to the elections are provoking and deep. “At times we all know what it feels like... to go through struggles – I speak from personal experience of this year – but now it’s time to reach out to the next generation and show support.” Alluding to the underlying issues such as Violence, Peer pressure, Drug addictions, Depression and Suicide. Tumehe has spent time with a lot of New Zealand’s youth, who have just in this year alone lost more than one friend or family member to violence and suicide. Both Tumehe and his dynamic partner Serena Jane (said to be New Zealand’s answer to Nicki Minaj) seeing the work Youthline does in New Zealand decided “that half the proceeds made from this song will go to this charitable organisation. It’s the practical application of what this song is all about.” Youth Empire has partnered with Youthline to donate 50% of all iTunes sales to support the work they do and have done in our country for the last 40 years. “Our aim is to make it #1... It’s a pretty exciting initiative” says Andrea Morgan from Youthline. Tumehe and Youth Empire all agree that “the best investment you could make is in the next generation – the future of this country.” PN “Change” is now available on iTunes www.bit.ly/tDubWf Video Link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EVLSBNZ_eY
MONTESSORI TAPS INTO A CHILD’S POTENTIAL Google co-founder Sergei Brin, Jacqueline Onassis, George Clooney, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and Prince William and Harry all have one thing in common – they were all Montessori educated. But Grey Lynn couple Justin Edgar and Rebecca Greenough didn’t need celebrity alumni to make them passionate about the learning method. Following extensive research and planning, they have opened Grey Lynn’s new Montessori pre-school, Little Engines. The pair has created a stunning educational space for children aged three to six to learn via the approach developed by Dr Maria Montessori. With the mantra ‘follow the child’, Montessori places emphasis on children directing their own course of learning. Trained teacher Rebecca first saw the benefits of the method when attending a Montessori pre-school while assisting a special needs child. ‘I saw the kids being taught what much older kids were learning and they were having fun with it,’ says the mum of three, who along with Justin will manage Little Engines.
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JUSTIN and REBECCA EDGAR of LITTLE ENGINES, Montessori Pre-School
The team has designed a clean, fresh space for young minds to work at their best. The rooms – decorated with a combined emphasis on fun and learning – are filled with beautiful materials creating an inquisitive and nurturing environment. “The success of a Montessori environment is watching children joyfully engaged in purposeful play”, Justin says. A large outdoor area packed with equipment and activities flows from the teaching area and overlooks Grey Lynn Primary School. The school has a license for 50 children and its seven passionate teachers will be lead by experienced head teacher, Mamatha Kumar. PN LITTLE ENGINES, 56 Surrey Crescent T: 09 378 9502 www.little-engines.co.nz
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