Relief at end of NCEA exams

The academic year is over for senior secondary school students in Marlborough and around the country. They let out a collective sigh of relief as the last NCEA exams finished yesterday.

For some, the coming summer months will be filled with dread awaiting their results to be posted in January, but for others, like year 11 Marlborough Girls' College student Lee Stewart, it is time to relax with family and play music.

The 15-year-old sat her Level 1 music exam yesterday, which she said was challenging but her study had paid off.

She found theoretical exams more difficult than the practicals.

The drama exam caught her off-guard because it was a different format from what she expected based on previous years.

Her friends had mixed feeling about the exams, she said.

"Some people thought they went quite well. Some were stressed over it."

Lee volunteered to play guitar and sing at John's Kitchen in Blenheim last night for people having their free weekly meal.

She was pleased the holidays had arrived and was looking forward to going sailing in the Sounds with her family.

She was also looking forward to playing at the New Year's celebrations on the Picton foreshore.

Marlborough Boys' College principal Wayne Hegarty said he hoped the results would show continued improvement in academic achievement at the college.

The focus for staff and students had been raising exam performance, with programmes during the year including students earning their study leave.

Marlborough Girls' College deputy principal Jude Young said the lead-up to the exams had been rushed because holidays had been delayed by the Rugby World Cup.

She was pleased with the layout of the new NCEA Level 1 exams, despite some students finding parts of the exams unexpected.

The new exams had fewer components, which covered a wider range and were worth more credits, she said.

Some of the exams were less predictable because it was the first year.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 16:00 01/12/2011

Pupils walk the red carpet

Four Renwick School pupils and teachers will experience a red carpet affair in Auckland tonight after two of their films were placed in the top 20 entries in a national competition.

The short films were among the top in The Outlook for Someday 2011 film competition which encourages entrants to have their say about sustainability and environmental issues.

All 20 winning films will be screened at the Aotea Centre and prizes will be awarded to each group, with special awards presented by actress Robyn Malcolm.

Teachers Monique Stevenson and Michelle Moran and pupils Jakob MacGibbon, 6, and Jono Poswillo, 9, will be winging their way to Auckland.

Jono said he was excited about the trip and the red carpet because he had never been to Auckland before. "I've been counting down the days."

Jono directed the year 3 and 4 group's movie The Renewables and also had a hand in the year 1 and 2 film The Greedy Little Huhu Grub.

He liked filmmaking because he got to use the computers and learn about the movie making software.

Miss Stevenson entered the competition with the year 1 and 2 group for the first time and was impressed and surprised to make the top 20 in an open competition for people under 24.

It was motivation to keep making movies with the pupils, she said. Most of the group's five-minute film about a huhu grub which eats everything around it was shot in Havelock.

Making the movie was a good learning experience for the pupils as well as her and allowed them to stretch their creativity, she said.

Fellow teacher Miss Moran, who entered with the year 3 and 4 group, had encouraged Miss Stevenson to enter because she knew she was interested in learning how to make movies.

The school is no stranger to getting accolades for their movie making.

Room 5 also made the top 20 in the Outlook for Someday competition last year.

TVNZ7 will broadcast the movies from Monday, December 12, to Friday, December 16, at 6.30pm and each programme will be repeated at 12.30pm the following day.

You can also watch all the movies at www.theoutlookforsomeday.net.

Watch Renwick film The Renewables

Watch Renwick film The Greedy Little Huhu Bug

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 13:05 01/12/2011

BEN CURRAN

Environmentally friendly: Renwick School teachers and pupils, from left, Michelle Moran, Monique Stevenson, Ollie Pavey, 9, Jakob MacGibbon, 6, Jono Poswillo, 9, and Kate Strang, 7. Two groups from the school made the top 20 in a national sustainability film competition

Godsiff home after appeal

Jason Godsiff says he is pleased to be home.

Godsiff was released from prison this week after he won an appeal against a two-year jail sentence for killing 23 seals by bashing them on the head with a metal bar.

The 20-year-old Renwick man, who had been working as an apprentice builder when the offending happened, answered the phone at his parents home in the Wairau Valley last night.

He was happy his appeal had been successful, he said.

Justice Jillian Mallon has replaced his jail sentenced with eight months' home detention.

He was pleased to be out of prison and his family was delighted to have him home, too, he said.

He would personally thank his friends and family who supported him, he said, and did not want to make any further comment last night.

Family friend Alison Parr said family and friends were ''absolutely delighted'' with the result.

It was a huge relief and justice had been served, she said.

''All his supporters and friends and family agree that what Jason did deserved punishment, but prison was never the place for a young man of that character and that background, and we believe the original sentence wasn't the correct one.''

The Department of Conservation declined to comment on the appeal.

Godsiff had admitted killing 23 seals near Ohau Point by hitting them over the head with a galvanised pole on November 26 last year and Judge Ian Mill sent him to prison when he appeared in the Blenheim District Court in September.

His defence lawyer Gary Sawyer appealed the sentence in the High Court at Wellington on November 1, arguing the prison term handed down was excessive.

Judge Mill had not given Godsiff enough credit for his youth, good character, remorse and co-operation with police, he said.

He ''over-weighted'' the scale of the offending and did not take into account the lack of sadism and extended cruelty to the animals in comparison to other cases, Mr Sawyer said.

Judge Mill also had not considered home detention when he sentenced Godsiff, he said.

Those serving home detention sentences stay at an approved residence, wear an electronic bracelet and are electronically monitored at all times and are under close supervision by a probation officer.

Judges can consider home detention if the end sentence is two years in prison or less.

Crown prosecutor Jodi Ongley said at the appeal the starting point of the sentence was appropriate given the number of seals Leg 1killed which was at the ''middle to upper range of seriousness''.

Judge Mill had given enough consideration to Godsiff's personal circumstances, such as his age and previous good character, she said.

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Godsiff did not show genuine remorse for his actions and his cooperation with police was limited, she said. Those factors were taken into account with the credit given for his guilty plea, she said.

Justice Mallon agreed with Mr Sawyer in her decision, released to the ifMarlborough Expressnf yesterdayntsGtuesday nte, and quashed the prison sentence.

Judges set a starting point for imprisonment based on previous cases and the Sentencing Act and as part of sentencing have to take into account the aggravating and mitigating factors unique to the case.

Judge Mill agreed with Godsiff's pre-sentence report which did not recommend home detention because Godsiff's job as a builder's apprentice required travelling.

He also said home detention was not an adequate sentence for the ''deliberate ill-treatment on this scale''.

Justice Mallon said the reason for not recommending home detention was not relevant and the practicalities of travel could be worked out with the probation officer.

''He [Godsiff] is in all respects a suitable candidate for home detention. He is a hard working young man who will contribute better to society the sooner he is back working as a builder.''

''It seems that he has learnt from the reaction to his offending that his behaviour was unacceptable,'' she said in the decision.

The man with Godsiff the night of the offending, Jemaal Peter Roy Large, 36, a driver of Wairau Valley, has denied the same charge as well as a charge of possessing an offensive weapon. He is due to appear in court again on February 14.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 06:45 30/11/2011

Tusk returned, then stolen again

The first time one of a pair of tusks was taken ... in 1992, one of them ended up buried at the Kapiti home of convicted drug dealer Jack Webber, 49, also known as "Island Jack" and now presumed drowned.

The case of the stolen elephant tusks has been solved. Sort of.

The Express called for information after a Dominion Post story last week mentioned that an elephant tusk was stolen from Marlborough in 1992.

Marlborough Sounds bone carver Norm Clark phoned to say the tusk belonged to him and was stolen from him twice.

The first time one of a pair of tusks was taken from an art gallery in Rai Valley in 1992, it ended up buried at the Kapiti home of convicted drug dealer Jack Webber, 49, also known as "Island Jack" and now presumed drowned.

The tusk was among items found by police at the property several years later and Mr Clark went to Porirua police station to identify the tusk and take it back.

The second time was in 1997 when tenants of a house he was renting out in Renwick had taken antiques from a shed on the property and sold them.

The items included the pair of tusks along with whale teeth, jaw bones and other antiques belonging to his father and grandfather. None of the items were recovered, he said.

Police raided the house of a man who was thought to have taken the items, but they could not get a search warrant for another house where Mr Clark thought the tusks would be stashed. He had not seen the tusks since.

The tusks were mentioned in an article about an upcoming inquest on December 19 into the deaths of Webber and his friend Hamish Kronfield.

The pair went missing in May 1999 when their boat overturned near Passage Rocks, off the eastern side of Kapiti Island.

The article said police dug from the lawn a 40-kilogram elephant tusk, one of a pair stolen in 1992 from a Marlborough art gallery.

Chief coroner's office spokesman Steve Corbett said the inquest was one of several that were part of a joint initiative by the chief coroner and the police missing persons unit to review older files to check whether there was any new information and wrap them up.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 11:30 30/11/2011

Carver Norm Clarke: An elephant tusk belonging to him was stolen twice

Chairman says he favours dissolving hall committee

The chairman of the Renwick Community Hall committee would welcome Marlborough District Council and the Education Ministry dissolving the committee.

James Cresswell said he favoured the action so progress could be made on deciding if the hall should be transferred to Renwick School.

"They've got to do it."

Nothing could be done until the members of the committee were elected properly, he said.

Earlier Marlborough Mayor Alistair Sowman told the Express the council and ministry would be prepared to take the action if the existing committee could not agree on who should represent the hall.

Council lawyer Peter Radich said the community representatives on the committee were not elected properly, but community representative Rata Harper believed otherwise.

There was no problem with the other members representing the Renwick RSA and the Renwick School board, he said.

The committee was trying to decide whether the hall should be transferred to the ministry, but was split over the move. Mr Cresswell said the publicity around the hall was not good, and that it needed money spent on it for maintenance and upgrades.

"It's basically a school hall now. They're the main users and they should pay their way," he said. Members of the community were afraid if the hall ownership was transferred they would lose the use of it.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 11:30 25/11/2011

Council ready to settle hall dispute

The Marlborough District Council and Education Ministry will step in to dissolve the Renwick Community Hall Committee if it cannot agree on the makeup of the committee, Mayor Alistair Sowman says.

Mr Sowman said the action would be a last resort and was "not where we want to go", but no progress was being made on determining whether the community representatives need to be re-elected.

"We'd like to see them [the committee] resolve it themselves," he said.

"If they can't agree on how the hall committee is to be constituted it leaves us with little option.

"Up to now we've been trying to find a local solution – that's always the best way, but that doesn't appear possible," Mr Sowman said.

The deed for the hall has an option for the ministry and council to disband the committee, he said.

Mr Sowman had not spoken to the ministry yet because he was waiting to hear from the hall committee after council lawyer Peter Radich's memorandum, which says committee community representatives had not been elected properly.

Mr Radich says in the memo that the next steps needed to reform the committee were "quite clear".

The existing committee should stay until it makes arrangements to elect new members.

The ministry and council should consider the future management of the hall and change the criteria for community representatives.

The committee is made up of 12 people – three elected from the community, three from the Renwick Returned Services Association, three from the Renwick School board and three appointed by the council.

According to the deed, community representatives need to be householders, live in the Renwick School district, be elected at a public meeting and not be members on the board, RSA or council, Mr Radich says.

Committee community representative Rata Harper was adamant the hall would not be transferred to the ministry.

She would not consider the ramifications of a transfer of ownership for the community because she believed the transfer would not happen.

The council and ministry had powers to dissolve the committee under the deed, but only if the committee had done something wrong, which it hadn't, Ms Harper said.

"I don't care how long it goes on for. It doesn't worry me. I know it's not going to be sorted overnight."

"We want the hall for [future generations] – a community hall adjacent to the school that the school can enjoy and community can enjoy. Why do we need to change it?"

She and other committee members were still seeking legal advice on the ownership of the hall, she said.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 11:30 24/11/2011

Bodice restraint might have saved woman

The death of a retirement village resident could have been avoided if staff had used a loose bodice, instead of a lap belt to restrain her, Coroner Carla na Nagara says.

Gertrude Slape, 96, died at Wairau Hospital on December 11 after being found on the floor in the lounge at her resthome in Blenheim the previous night.

Mrs Slape was sitting in a reclining chair, restrained by a lap belt before she slipped out, stood up, fell over and hit her head, all while unsupervised, the report says.

On December 10, the duty nurse was away from Mrs Slape for about 20 minutes attending to another resident in the dementia unit.

Mrs Slape was frail and prone to falling and when the nurse returned, Mrs Slape was face down on the ground with blood running from her forehead.

In her decision, Ms na Nagara ruled Mrs Slape died of the head injury suffered after falling out of the lap belt she was in while the nurse was attending to an emergency situation elsewhere.

During the inquest, Ms na Nagara questioned why a lap belt was used over a loose bodice.

"The bodice would have been more secure and would require more effort to get out of," she said.

"The fall may have been avoided if Mrs Slape was in a bodice, because even if the lap belt was fastened as tightly as possible, she would have been able to slip out of it because of her small size."

The resthome manager could not say why a lap belt was used or how often Mrs Slape was restrained.

Ms na Nagara said the decision seemed to boil down to which restraint method was available on any given day.

In her recommendations, which will be forwarded to the Ministry of Health, Ms na Nagara said the rest home should have a clear and demonstrable decision-making process on restraints.

She has suppressed details which would identify the resthome or the three staff involved.

"While the issue is finely balanced, I have reached the view that it is appropriate to make the directions sought in the interests of protecting the witnesses' personal privacy.

"The circumstances of Mrs Slape's death do not give rise to a valid public interest in the identity of the staff from whom I heard evidence, and the distress caused to them through publication outweighs any such interest."

- The Marlborough Express

SAM MORTON AND SIMON WONG

Last updated 11:00 21/11/2011

What's the point in voting?

An unemployed labourer who moved to Blenheim two months ago in search of work says he will not be voting in this month's general election as he does not see the point.

David McDonald does not keep up with politics, does not know the names of the political parties and simply does not care.

"Some idiot will just get elected anyway," the 22-year-old said.

Mr McDonald receives $202 a week in unemployment benefits, $160 of which goes on rent and food. He saves the rest so he can visit his son in Dunedin at Christmas and buy presents.

Mr McDonald said finding work is nearly impossible given the high levels of unemployment.

"I went for a job in Dunedin when they were building the new stadium," he said. "Qualified plasterers and roofers were going for a labourer's job. It's overkill."

Mr McDonald joined the Salvation Army Employment Plus programme a month ago and is hoping a space becomes available on a fork-lift truck course soon.

The father of one, who has been wearing the same clothes for five years, has considered moving to Australia to find work.

"There are no guarantees of getting a job and I like New Zealand, it's my home country.

"In a dream world, I would like to buy a house here but this is the real world. There is no way in hell of that happening. I have no spare cash whatsoever."

The government could stop raising taxes on basic items, he said.

"Taxes on food and petrol have skyrocketed. Once in a blue moon I put $10 in the car to go and do something, but that is very rare."

The Labour Party's pledge to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour would not help his situation, Mr McDonald said.

"If employers have to fork out more money they will reduce the size of their company. Besides, if I work 30 hours a week at $13.50 I'm still earning more than being on benefits."

Incentives for employers to take on apprenticeships would not work either, he said.

"Employers will always take the best qualified or the person best suited for the job. You can't really give an incentive to an employer to hire someone he doesn't want to."

Mr McDonald is limited to the work that he can physically undertake.

"My hands are full of arthritis because of a previous job I had peeling posts. The constant vibration of the machine going through my hands means they lock up if I do anything too strenuous.

"Also, when I was younger I broke my neck when I was being stupid in a rally car and rolled it five times. The doctor said I was lucky to be walking. I should probably be on sickness benefits but I would rather be working."

- The Marlborough Express

Last updated 10:13 17/11/2011

No vote: David McDonald, 22, joined the Salvation Army Employment Plus programme a month ago. He has been repairing Employment Plus vans while waiting for a place on a fork-lift truck course. Mr McDonald doesn't see the point of voting in this year's election

Niece views Mrs Renwick's frocks

n a back room at the Marlborough Museum, Wellington woman Elisabeth Airey looks over intricate 19th century clothing which belonged to her great-great aunt.

The petite dresses and clothes were owned by Anne Renwick, the second wife of Dr Thomas Renwick, who founded the Marlborough town of the same name.

Ms Airey, a professional historian, knew the clothing was at the museum and said it was "very special" to see them for the first time.

"It tells you she liked clothes with colour and detail," she said.

Ms Airey met Mrs Renwick when she was a baby.

The clothing ranges from day frocks to evening wear and is, according to museum textiles collection manager Pam Saunders, in "very good condition".

Ms Airey was in Blenheim yesterday helping the museum index about 700 letters as well as photos, most of which related to the Renwick family.

The letters had been scanned and she was reading them to find who wrote them, and who they were written to.

Eventually the index would be a resource for people wanting to research the Renwick family or early life in Marlborough.

Museum chief executive Steve Austin said the clothing was rarely displayed because textiles could be degraded in light and it was difficult to find suitable mannequins.

"The body shape of people now is a lot different to the body shapes of people from the 19th century."

Mrs Renwick died in Nelson in 1937, aged 93.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 11:30 17/11/2011

Checks delay decision on hall

Attempts to resolve the ownership battle over the Renwick Community Hall have come to a halt as the Marlborough District Council's lawyer pores over the hall committee constitution.

The committee is split over whether ownership of the hall should be transferred to the Ministry of Education and Renwick School.

Some in the committee oppose the idea while others believe the decision would make financial sense, allowing for the hall to be maintained.

Marlborough Mayor Alistair Sowman said council solicitor Peter Radich was looking over the committee constitution to make sure the committee had been formed properly.

"He thinks it's not."

The decision on what to do with the hall would be made by the committee, he said.

The committee is made up of 12 people – three elected from the community, three from the Renwick Returned Services Association, three from the Renwick School board and three appointed by the council.

Mr Sowman said there was "some concern" over the process of electing members from the community, which was what Mr Radich was "working through".

If it is found that the meeting to elect them did not follow correct procedures the members would need to be re-elected. Mr Sowman hoped a resolution may be reached by this week.

Mr Radich said some procedures, including the election of the committee, had not been followed since the original deed for the hall was created in 1984. He did not think that was deliberate, but "in the process of time the requirements of the deed were progressively overlooked".

Committee chairman James Cresswell said no progress could be made until the committee had heard back from the council.

There had been mistakes from all sides in the running of the hall and in following the original deed, he said.

Committee member Rata Harper, one of the members against handing over the hall, did not wish to comment. But in a letter to the editor published in the Express yesterday, she said the community hall was an asset that needed to be protected and that no asset should be given to the government for free.

More than 1000 people had signed a petition against the transfer, she said.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 11:30 17/11/2011

College can't combine projects

Marlborough Boys' College principal Wayne Hegarty is frustrated the lack of funding from the Education Ministry for school modernisation means it can't be done at the same time as earthquake strengthening work on the school buildings.

Mr Hegarty acknowledges the costs of the two projects is very different but is worried the duplication means some of the strengthening work will be undone later to modernise the school.

The strengthening work will bring school buildings up to revised building codes for schools.

The ministry had earlier said the strengthening would be an opportunity to do the upgrades and staff had been working on a modernised design for the school such as bigger classrooms with more light and computer services.

"That was their [the ministry's] intent and the property people, just like us, want the same thing. But in the end dollars mean health and safety is the prime consideration."

The ministry has decreed health and safety upgrades for school building projects are a priority after the Christchurch earthquakes. Modernisation work will be put off until funding is available.

"To be fair, they are doing the work. The frustrating part is they will do work which may be undone [to modernise the school]," Mr Hegarty said.

"To us it's a wasted opportunity, but we have no control over it."

The first part of the strengthening work will be carried out during the summer break at one end of the concrete block of classrooms which overlook the gym. The cost is $100,000.

The work would bring that part of the school to 100 per cent of the New Zealand New Building Standards, he said.

Other parts of the college would be strengthened over future summer breaks.

The separate modernisation work had a budget of $2.4 million.

He still wanted to modernise the school, but it was not possible to do it with the existing school property budget.

The Marlborough College Foundation set up this year to raise money for the college was not for building projects, he said.

The delay in the modernisation would not affect students, Mr Hegarty said.

The buildings in the school were at or better than 34 per cent of the building code, which was the minimum required by ministry, but the ministry was aiming for school buildings to be 67 per cent of the building code.

According to the ministry website, the Canterbury earthquakes increased the focus on strengthening work after schools and parents raised concerns about the safety of school buildings.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 11:30 17/11/2011

Marlborough Boys' College

Happy 101st birthday

Three cards from government ministers and Prime Minister John Key sit on a table at the Redwood Lifestyle Village wishing Blenheim woman Margaret Brown a happy 101st birthday.

Congratulatory banners, pink and white balloons and a hand-written birthday message on a whiteboard decorate the room.

A simple birthday cake adorned with flowers and yellow icing completes the birthday setting.

Mrs Brown's big day was marked yesterday with a small family gathering at the village, which was in stark contrast to her milestone 100th birthday.

She said she was feeling good yesterday and was happy to celebrate with her family.

Her youngest son, Steve, flew down from Wellington for the occasion and was joined by relatives in Blenheim.

He said family from around the country came to celebrate last year, and his brother, John flew in from Melbourne.

The second eldest of 14 children, Mrs Brown grew up in Killinchy, outside Christchurch, before moving to Wellington where she was a cleaner at the parliamentary buildings.

She moved to Blenheim around 1988 and shifted into the Redwood Lifestyle Village about two years ago.

Mr Brown said his mum had outlived seven of her sisters, four of her brothers, two of her sons and her husband.

Mrs Brown received official government birthday cards, part printed and part handwritten, from Mr Key, and from Minister of Internal Affairs Nathan Guy and Minister of Senior Citizens Craig Foss.

Last updated 07:52 16/11/2011

Scott Hammond

Best wishes: Blenheim woman Margaret Brown received a card from Prime Minister John Key for her 101st birthday yesterday. She celebrated the day surrounded by family.

Streets band together to clean up

A neighbourhood that cleans together is safer together.

That is the goal of a Police and Safer Communities Marlborough project which aims to clean up streets in Blenheim with the help of residents, church volunteers and other community groups. The aim is to reduce crime rates around Blenheim.

Gardiner and Henderson streets in Riversdale were the focus of a massive cleanup at the weekend, with residents and volunteers trimming hedges, pulling weeds and tidying up the houses.

Work on began on Thursday and is expected to finish on Wednesday but most work was done at the weekend.

Safer Communities Marlborough manager Paul Johnson said the streets were the second of six to get the treatment.

Elizabeth St was the first project in September, but there had been trials in Dix Cres in 2008 and Girling Ave in 2009.

Crime rates in Dix Cres had dropped 41 per cent in the year after the work, Mr Johnson said.

The community spirit was evident on Gardiner and Henderson streets on Saturday as about 60 people kept working through the day despite heavy rain.

They were warmed up and fed with free food and hot drinks.

Mr Johnson said if people knew their neighbours, crimes rates tended to drop and if a place looked like it was cared for it created a community spirit.

Senior Constable Russ Smith, of Blenheim, said the project was about people taking pride in their community. He had seen neighbours meeting each other for the first time and neighbours doing things for others.

Hemi Te Pania was one of the volunteers helping out and paying back a good deed.

Mr Te Pania lives on Dix Cres and said he had come to help his neighbours around the corner.

"I thought I'd come over and give them a hand. They did good on Dix Cres. Why not give them a hand?"

He had noticed a difference in Dix Cres since it was cleaned up.

"A lot of people are keeping their sections tidy now," he said.

Rose Tamati, who lives on Gardiner St, said she knew some of her neighbours but more people were talking and getting to know one another.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 11:25 14/11/2011

BEN CURRAN/Fairfax NZ

On top of it: Dave Oliver loads hedge trimmings on to a trailer as part of the community cleanup, which involved neighbours getting to know each other and co-operating.

Car rolls on 'nasty' corner

A wet, and oil-slicked road was the likely cause of a car rolling just south of Seddon this morning, the Fire Service says.

Deputy fire chief Justin Stevens said the 42-year-old man was the sole occupant of the vehicle and he received minor injuries during the crash, about 10am.

Conditions were "a bit slippery'' with some oil on the road as well as the rain, he said.

The car was travelling toward Blenheim and after rolling, it landed mostly within its lane. The road was reduced to one lane and the vehicle was a write-off, Mr Stevens said.

Witnesses said they did not think the man was speeding in the 100kmh zone. The recommendation for the corner was 70kmh, he said.

"It's quite a nasty corner. You would be unaware and would have nowhere to go [if you came across it].''

Seddon and Ward Volunteer Fire Brigades attended the scene along with St John Ambulance and Blenheim police.

- The Marlborough Express
SIMON WONG

Last updated 13:38 12/11/2011

Fond memories of valley schools

he ringing of a school bell marked the beginning of the Wairau Valley School 150th anniversary celebrations on Saturday.

About 200 people turned up to the rural school to reacquaint themselves with old friends, teachers and students.

The celebrations were also for Wantwood and Hillersden schools, which were also in the Wairau Valley, but later closed.

Under a grey sky and with sheep bleating in the next paddock, the past pupils and staff shared happy memories of meandering home from school, open fires and being called home from school to help on the farm.

Rita Rainbow, 75, started at Wairau Valley School when it was situated near the church on the other side of the township.

She was never in a hurry to get home after school because her mum would make her do work around the house, including polishing the brass and doing the cleaning.

While walking home with some mates they would throw stones at the telephone pole insulators to try to break them. They would also sometimes stop at the pub and get a raspberry and lemonade.

Mrs Rainbow moved to Queensland at 22 after she finished studying to be a nurse in Christchurch and has lived in Australia for 50 years. Despite that, she said she still considered the Wairau Valley to be home.

"I still say I'm coming home; I'm going home; I'm calling home."

Her education always came second to having fun, she said.

Former pupil Rex Schollum remembered being called home from school sometimes to help his parents on their sheep and cattle farm in the Wairau Valley.

He started at the school in 1939 and said his grandchildren were the sixth generation to grow up in the Wairau Valley, all of whom went to the school.

Rob MacLellan started at Wantwood School in 1939. He joked the school got its name because it was always in need of firewood.

The school, which later closed and became part of Wairau Valley School, still sits in the school grounds and looked almost the same, he said.

Wantwood School had a cloakroom, a passage and an open fire at the back end of the building.

Other events during the weekend included cutting the jubilee cake, decade photos, a dinner and dance and the planting of a time capsule, which would not be unearthed for 25 years.

- Marlborough

SIMON WONG

Last updated 07:46 14/11/2011

Last updated 08:10 14/11/2011

Lights Over Marlborough

SIMON WONG

Last updated 08:10 14/11/2011

Elle Molloy, 14, Courtney Banks ,13 and Jana Sloot, 14 hoping the knitted blanket will keep them warm.

SIMON WONG

Last updated 08:10 14/11/2011

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SIMON WONG

Last updated 08:10 14/11/2011

SIMON WONG

Last updated 08:10 14/11/2011

Blenheim rocked by fireworks

Fireworks took over the sky as the rain subsided in Blenheim on Saturday night.

Close to 1000 people packed A&P Park in anticipation of the Lights Over Marlborough fireworks spectacular, and they were not disappointed. Families staked their place early in the night and rugged up with blankets to watch the show, which began just after 9pm.

Children and teenagers also revelled in the atmosphere with many enjoying the food, face-painting and dancing.

Looks of awe could be seen in the faces of the youngest in the crowd as about $10,000 of fireworks went up in smoke during the 25-minute display.

The event was the annual fundraiser for Whitney St School, but school parents support group chairwoman Wendy Joy said the final figure raised would not be known until later in the week.

Planning for the event started in term two and the support from parents and staff in running the show was invaluable, she said.

Teams of volunteers worked hard to help clean up the grounds.More pictures, page 17

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 08:10 14/11/2011

Lights Over Marlborough

Playground a winning plan

he sight and sound of children enjoying the playground in Rarangi is a dream realised for Nicole Evans.

The Rarangi mum was the driving force behind getting the playground on Rarangi Beach Rd built, although she's a bit embarrassed to be called that.

Marlborough District Councillor Peter Jerram officially opened the playground yesterday afternoon, although it has been in use since September. Judging by the wide smiles of both children and adults, it's a winner.

Ms Evans, who has lived in Rarangi since 2006, said having the beach to run around on with her six children was great, but there was nowhere else for them to play. If they wanted to go to a playground they would sometimes go to Pollard Park in Blenheim.

There had been a need for a playground in Rarangi, she said.

"When we worked out how many kids were in the area we were like `woah'."

She said there were between 80 to 100 children of primary school age and under from Tuamarina to Rarangi.

She took the idea to every house in the neighbourhood asking if they wanted a playground. Their signatures were used as part of a submission to the council for funding in June last year.

The council stumped up the $50,000 needed and drew up plans. Residents decided against a bright plastic playground in favour of a wood and metal one that would blend in with the surroundings.

"Ever since the playground has been open you always see kids there. It's getting heaps of use which is great."

During the school holidays children would cycle from their homes and meet there.

Ms Evans was modest about her role in the project saying the work was not hard and the community had a large part to play.

"We needed it and our kids will benefit."

Plans are now afoot to add a bike track and more activities for smaller children.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 07:43 14/11/2011

Landlord puzzled by court case

The landlord who wrongly evicted hairdresser Arthur Devine from his Blenheim premises says he is still "puzzled" why High Court action was taken.

William Yates said the outcome of the court action delievered on Thursday most significantly that Mr Devine be reinstated in the building at full cost to Mr Yates was the same as he had offered on August 11, six days after the wrongful eviction.

Mr Devine, through his lawyers, had been motivated to seek "greater monetary reward" than the damages of $20,000 paid to to Mr Devine by Mr Yates' former lawyers Hardy-Jones Clark, Mr Yates said.

Mr Devine says he will be back in business in Blenheim by Christmas, but Mr Yates said it could be as early as tomorrow.

The ruling said the premises must be in the same condition as when Mr Devine was evicted.

Mr Yates said he was disappointed Mr Devine had not taken the offer on August 11 to move back in and "instead chose to wage a public campaign designed to improve his position".

He did not rule out appealing the court decision.

Mr Yates wrote to Mr Devine on Friday requesting items to be reinstalled, including light fittings, shelving and signwriting taken down when Mr Devine moved out be delivered by 9am today. He had not heard from Mr Devine by last night. If the items were put back, the business could re-open from tomorrow.

Mr Yates' new lawyers Wisheart Macnab had claimed in court that Mr Devine had not been a good tenant.

There was a "belligerent attitude" present and the public airing of the dispute had reached a point where the two should not be forced into another five-year lease, they said.

However, Justice MacKenzie said there was not a history of failure to pay or late payment that would justify not reinstating Mr Devine in the premises.

On August 5, Mr Devine was unlawfully evicted from his hair salon building in High St, Blenheim, for not paying outstanding rent. The rent had been paid the day before, but Mr Yates was not told this by his lawyers, Hardy-Jones Clark. Mr Devine has since been paid $20,000 in damages from Hardy-Jones Clark.

The High Court ruled that the original lease signed between the two in 2006 be reinstated immediately and Mr Devine will be able to renew the lease for a five-year term from September 1 this year.

Mr Devine also sought compensation from Mr Yates for loss of profits from August 5, and "damages for stress, hurt, humiliation and damage to reputation". However, Justice Alan MacKenzie said that claim could not be considered with this case. Mr Devine also sought legal costs, but detailed submissions had not been made.

Other damages could be sought in a separate court action, the judge said.

One of Mr Devine's lawyers, Luke Radich, said they would still be looking for compensation and damages, and seeking some payment of legal fees by Mr Yates.

This could possibly be agreed by the two parties, but, if they could not agree, further legal proceedings could be necessary, Mr Radich said.

Mr Devine said he was looking forward to being back in Blenheim. It had been hard operating out of just his Picton salon, but the Blenheim salon would be open again in time for Christmas, he said.

Media reports of his eviction and the subsequent legal battle had been "very one-sided", Mr Devine said. However, it had been best to say nothing and let his lawyers handle everything.

Justice MacKenzie noted "a high degree of animosity" between Mr Devine and Mr Yates.

- The Marlborough Express

ROB MACINTOSH AND SIMON WONG

Last updated 08:14 14/11/2011

Vet supports call to limit public sale of fireworks

A Marlborough vet has backed calls from the SPCA to ban the public sale of fireworks to better protect animals.

Vet Centre director Stuart Burrough and Marlborough SPCA centre manager Kate Horrey said fireworks should be sold only to organisers of public displays.

Their call comes a week after two dogs in Marlborough were hit by cars after they were spooked by fireworks being let off.

Mr Burrough said he would welcome a review on the availability of fireworks.

"The major problem is that the whole thing spans out over a few weeks and that makes it a stressful period for animals.

"If it was restricted for one or two nights in a controlled environment, from pets' point of view, it would be a lot safer."

However, it would be a shame to spoil the fun for responsible people.

It was mostly dogs that were frightened and it was important to expose puppies to loud and sudden noises so they became used to it, Mr Burrough said.

Reducing the sight and sound of the fireworks by turning on music or the television as well as closing the blinds could help minimise the stress.

Ms Horrey said they didn't want to spoil anyone's fun, but if the sale of fireworks was limited to public displays animal owners would know when and where they would be let off.

They could then make sure their animals were safe and secure during those times.

All animals reacted differently to fireworks and some didn't mind them. But some at the centre had been scared to the point of having bouts of diarrhoea, Ms Horrey said.

Marlborough was lucky in that there wasn't much active animal cruelty, but firecrackers and animals were never a good mix, she said.

Mr Burrough said a dalmatian-cross dog frightened by fireworks leapt a fence nearly two metres high and ran kilometres from home before it was hit by a car on the highway near Blenheim.

He was able to alleviate the dog's pain, but the chest injuries it suffered on November 4 were too serious for it to survive. Mr Burrough and his staff worked on the dog for more than an hour before it died.

A second animal, a hunting dog, had to be put down after it was found with a badly dislocated lumbar vertebra by the roadside in Riverlands on Saturday morning. The dog was paralysed in its hind legs, Mr Burrough said.

The hunting dog had taken off from Stevenson St after hearing fireworks.

- The Marlborough Express

ROB MACINTOSH AND SIMON WONG

Last updated 11:23 14/11/2011

11 on 11.11.11

Three Blenheim kids have something extra special to smile about today.

Fabian Wilson, Campbell Gill and Ashley Johnstone are both turning 11 on November 11, 2011 - or 11/11/11.

Fabian said that having his eleventh birthday today was ''pretty cool''. He was celebrating by going to the movies and going for a swim at the new pool in Blenheim.

His mother Meleana Matangi said the family had not noticed the date that his birthday fell on this year until her sister pointed it out on FaceBook the night before.

Fabian was nearly born at 11am as well, arriving in the world sometime around 10.50am, she said.

Campbell's mum Tracy Bary said Campbell's birth was marked with a bit of ''drama and excitement'' after he arrived prematurely.

''He was meant to be born on Christmas Day, but he was arrived about seven weeks early.''

She and Campbell were flown by helicopter from Blenheim to Christchurch where he was born weighing about four pounds.

Springlands School pupil Campbell realised the significance a few months ago when he was thinking about his upcoming birthday and said it would be one he would remember for a long time.

He hoped to get a bit of cash for his birthday so he could save to buy either a scooter or iPod Touch.

Campbell is a prudent saver, and paid for most of an electric guitar he had recently bought. His parents paid for the rest as an early birthday present.

His special day will be a modest affair with a birthday dinner surrounded by a few friends.

Meanwhile, Ashley and her family will be celebrating with a family trip to Hanmer Springs.

The family moved to Blenheim from near Edendale, outside Invercargill, in August and Ashley's mum had always envisaged a large get together with family and friends around a bonfire had they not moved.

She and husband Carl had figured out the significance of Ashley's 11th birthday shortly after she was born.

Ashley however, who goes to Rapaura School, had cottoned on in the past few months.

She wanted a scooter for her birthday and said she and her friends at school thought the occasion was pretty cool.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 00:01 11/11/2011

Happy Birthday. Fabian Wilson, Ashley Johnstone and Campbell Gill

Candidates vague on capital gains tax

Labour's flagship capital gains tax election policy came under scrutiny at a candidates' meeting, where none of the Kaikoura electorate candidates seemed to have a good handle on the issue.

The Marlborough branches of Federated Farmers and Rural Women NZ hosted the meeting at the Giesen Centre in Renwick on Wednesday and drew an audience of about 25.

National's Colin King, Labour's Liz Collyns, Greens' Stefan Browning, ACT's Richard Evans and Democrats for Social Credit's John McCaskey gave prepared speeches before the floor was open for questions – and some ribbing.

Marlborough District Councillor and former Federated Farmers Marlborough branch president Geoff Evans asked whether family farms were excluded from the tax.

Mrs Collyns was unsure of the specifics of her party's policy but said it was "not designed to catch ordinary people with homes and baches" but was rather to tax those who made money on selling properties.

Mr Browning said the family home "should be sacrosanct" but he believed a capital gains tax had merit because it was a fair tax system. Labour took the policy from the Green Party, he said.

Incumbent MP Mr King said he believed the opposition did intend the capital gains tax to cover family farms.

The candidates said they would school up on the subject before the next candidates' forum.

Richard Evans said the tax would take away the incentive to grow a business and create jobs.

Labour finance spokesman David Cunliffe told the Express yesterday the farmhouse and family paddock, such as gardens, would be exempt, but the business aspect of the farm would be taxed.

The fine details of the policy would be worked out by an expert tax panel in consultation with industry and farm groups.

Labour supporter Adrian Landon-Lane called both Richard Evans and Colin King liars when they said 10 per cent of the country pays 70 per cent of the tax.

Mr Landon-Lane responded in a loud voice that the top one per cent don't pay taxes.

Mr Evans yesterday emailed the Express with a table produced by National finance minister Bill English in July this year to prove he was right.

It showed households that earn more than $150,000 a year, which is 9.7 per cent of all households, pay 70.7 per cent of all taxes.

Other issues raised at the meeting included mining, asset sales, organics and corporate greed.

Most candidates said they would encourage the use of organics; Mr McCaskey said the market would decide if it was worth using organic practices, and Mr Browning said National had cut funding to a national organics body.

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A member of the audience, Ngaire Searle, expressed concern about fracking near Christchurch, saying the technique of extracting gas from underground had been linked to seismic activity.

Most candidates said they were just learning about what fracking was, but would base their policy on scientific evidence.

Mr Browning said he wanted a moratorium on the practice; Mr King said he would not support a moratorium.

Another member of the audience asked Mr Brown how he envisioned growing employment if he wanted to stop salmon farming and forestry. Mr Browning said salmon farming was "anathema" to sustainability, but he was not advocating stopping forestry.

He wanted more environmentally friendly forestry practices to ensure run-off did not damage the Marlborough Sounds.

The Marlborough Express is hosting a meet the candidates forum at 7pm on Wednesday November 23 at the Elim Church Hall on Burleigh Rd, Blenheim. All are welcome.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 07:45 11/11/2011

Jack & Olivia, head to head

Head girl 'honoured' by new role

The new head girl at Marlborough Girls' College plans to encourage fellow pupils to be involved around the school.

Olivia Sheat, 17, was named head girl for 2012 at the college leavers' assembly on Tuesday.

She said the news was "surreal" and that she felt honoured.

"I just didn't know what to do with myself," Olivia said.

"It was the most amazing thing," she said.

"It was something I had been working towards, and I was honoured to hear my name announced."

The school has yet to name the deputy prefects.

Olivia hoped to inspire other girls to participate within the school community.

"I want to encourage the girls to get involved and take opportunities and realise they're at a time in their lives where they're making decisions for the future," she said.

She certainly practises what she preaches.

Olivia was named cultural achiever of the year at the college prizegiving in September, and also picked up several awards and trophies for her efforts, mostly in music, including her participation in school choir Bella Voce.

She has been chosen for the New Zealand Secondary Schools' choir which tours Greece next year.

Balancing her extra-curricular activities, study and responsibilities as head girl would come down to a case of good time management, she said.

However, the elation from the honour may be shortlived, or at least put on hold, she said.

"I'll definitely come back to earth pretty quickly – I've got an English exam today."

College principal Karen Stewart said Olivia was "an outstanding candidate".

Olivia got on well with her peers and was recognised by them as having good leadership qualities, she said.

Exicting role for Jack

Marlborough Boys' College student Jack Keown is looking forward to the challenge of being the school's head boy – but first he has to get through his exams.

The 17-year-old was named head boy for 2012 at the end-of-year prizegiving on Tuesday but was given the news a few days prior.

"I knew beforehand, but still when it was announced [on Tuesday] it sunk in a bit more.

"I'm really proud to be head boy and I'm proud of the school, but I need to put that aside for a few weeks with exams."

He already has enough credits to pass NCEA level 2 with merit but is still working for the exams.

His mother, Marlborough Girls' College deputy principal Jo Chamberlain, has always had a strong focus on achieving academically.

The school has not yet named any deputy prefects.

Jack also plays for the school first XV rugby team and hopes to study law and commerce at Otago University after finishing at boys' college.

During his time as head boy Jack said he wanted the prefects to get more involved and be seen around the school.

He also hoped the boys' college prefects could work with their Marlborough Girls' College counterparts to share ideas.

It would be important to manage his time between school, rugby and responsibilities as head boy and to use his team of 27 prefects properly, he said.

"It's going to be like nothing I've ever done before, but that's exciting."

- The Marlborough Express

DEREK FLYNN

Olivia Sheat and Jack Keown

Head girl 'honoured' by new role

The new head girl at Marlborough Girls' College plans to encourage fellow pupils to be involved around the school.

Olivia Sheat, 17, was named head girl for 2012 at the college leavers' assembly on Tuesday.

She said the news was "surreal" and that she felt honoured.

"I just didn't know what to do with myself," Olivia said.

"It was the most amazing thing," she said.

"It was something I had been working towards, and I was honoured to hear my name announced."

The school has yet to name the deputy prefects.

Olivia hoped to inspire other girls to participate within the school community.

"I want to encourage the girls to get involved and take opportunities and realise they're at a time in their lives where they're making decisions for the future," she said.

She certainly practises what she preaches.

Olivia was named cultural achiever of the year at the college prizegiving in September, and also picked up several awards and trophies for her efforts, mostly in music, including her participation in school choir Bella Voce.

She has been chosen for the New Zealand Secondary Schools' choir which tours Greece next year.

Balancing her extra-curricular activities, study and responsibilities as head girl would come down to a case of good time management, she said.

However, the elation from the honour may be shortlived, or at least put on hold, she said.

"I'll definitely come back to earth pretty quickly – I've got an English exam today."

College principal Karen Stewart said Olivia was "an outstanding candidate".

Olivia got on well with her peers and was recognised by them as having good leadership qualities, she said.

Exicting role for Jack

Marlborough Boys' College student Jack Keown is looking forward to the challenge of being the school's head boy – but first he has to get through his exams.

The 17-year-old was named head boy for 2012 at the end-of-year prizegiving on Tuesday but was given the news a few days prior.

"I knew beforehand, but still when it was announced [on Tuesday] it sunk in a bit more.

"I'm really proud to be head boy and I'm proud of the school, but I need to put that aside for a few weeks with exams."

He already has enough credits to pass NCEA level 2 with merit but is still working for the exams.

His mother, Marlborough Girls' College deputy principal Jo Chamberlain, has always had a strong focus on achieving academically.

The school has not yet named any deputy prefects.

Jack also plays for the school first XV rugby team and hopes to study law and commerce at Otago University after finishing at boys' college.

During his time as head boy Jack said he wanted the prefects to get more involved and be seen around the school.

He also hoped the boys' college prefects could work with their Marlborough Girls' College counterparts to share ideas.

It would be important to manage his time between school, rugby and responsibilities as head boy and to use his team of 27 prefects properly, he said.

"It's going to be like nothing I've ever done before, but that's exciting."

- The Marlborough Express

1 comment

Congrats Olivia #1 12:20 pm Nov 10 2011

You are going to be an AMAZING head girl and I hope you know you have all the support from the Class of '12 !!

SIMON WONG

Last updated 07:41 10/11/2011

DEREK FLYNN

Olivia Sheat and Jack Keown

Jack & Olivia, head to head

Head girl 'honoured' by new role

The new head girl at Marlborough Girls' College plans to encourage fellow pupils to be involved around the school.

Olivia Sheat, 17, was named head girl for 2012 at the college leavers' assembly on Tuesday.

She said the news was "surreal" and that she felt honoured.

"I just didn't know what to do with myself," Olivia said.

"It was the most amazing thing," she said.

"It was something I had been working towards, and I was honoured to hear my name announced."

The school has yet to name the deputy prefects.

Olivia hoped to inspire other girls to participate within the school community.

"I want to encourage the girls to get involved and take opportunities and realise they're at a time in their lives where they're making decisions for the future," she said.

She certainly practises what she preaches.

Olivia was named cultural achiever of the year at the college prizegiving in September, and also picked up several awards and trophies for her efforts, mostly in music, including her participation in school choir Bella Voce.

She has been chosen for the New Zealand Secondary Schools' choir which tours Greece next year.

Balancing her extra-curricular activities, study and responsibilities as head girl would come down to a case of good time management, she said.

However, the elation from the honour may be shortlived, or at least put on hold, she said.

"I'll definitely come back to earth pretty quickly – I've got an English exam today."

College principal Karen Stewart said Olivia was "an outstanding candidate".

Olivia got on well with her peers and was recognised by them as having good leadership qualities, she said.

Exicting role for Jack

Marlborough Boys' College student Jack Keown is looking forward to the challenge of being the school's head boy – but first he has to get through his exams.

The 17-year-old was named head boy for 2012 at the end-of-year prizegiving on Tuesday but was given the news a few days prior.

"I knew beforehand, but still when it was announced [on Tuesday] it sunk in a bit more.

"I'm really proud to be head boy and I'm proud of the school, but I need to put that aside for a few weeks with exams."

He already has enough credits to pass NCEA level 2 with merit but is still working for the exams.

His mother, Marlborough Girls' College deputy principal Jo Chamberlain, has always had a strong focus on achieving academically.

The school has not yet named any deputy prefects.

Jack also plays for the school first XV rugby team and hopes to study law and commerce at Otago University after finishing at boys' college.

During his time as head boy Jack said he wanted the prefects to get more involved and be seen around the school.

He also hoped the boys' college prefects could work with their Marlborough Girls' College counterparts to share ideas.

It would be important to manage his time between school, rugby and responsibilities as head boy and to use his team of 27 prefects properly, he said.

"It's going to be like nothing I've ever done before, but that's exciting."

- The Marlborough Express

DEREK FLYNN

Olivia Sheat and Jack Keown

Head girl 'honoured' by new role

The new head girl at Marlborough Girls' College plans to encourage fellow pupils to be involved around the school.

Olivia Sheat, 17, was named head girl for 2012 at the college leavers' assembly on Tuesday.

She said the news was "surreal" and that she felt honoured.

"I just didn't know what to do with myself," Olivia said.

"It was the most amazing thing," she said.

"It was something I had been working towards, and I was honoured to hear my name announced."

The school has yet to name the deputy prefects.

Olivia hoped to inspire other girls to participate within the school community.

"I want to encourage the girls to get involved and take opportunities and realise they're at a time in their lives where they're making decisions for the future," she said.

She certainly practises what she preaches.

Olivia was named cultural achiever of the year at the college prizegiving in September, and also picked up several awards and trophies for her efforts, mostly in music, including her participation in school choir Bella Voce.

She has been chosen for the New Zealand Secondary Schools' choir which tours Greece next year.

Balancing her extra-curricular activities, study and responsibilities as head girl would come down to a case of good time management, she said.

However, the elation from the honour may be shortlived, or at least put on hold, she said.

"I'll definitely come back to earth pretty quickly – I've got an English exam today."

College principal Karen Stewart said Olivia was "an outstanding candidate".

Olivia got on well with her peers and was recognised by them as having good leadership qualities, she said.

Exicting role for Jack

Marlborough Boys' College student Jack Keown is looking forward to the challenge of being the school's head boy – but first he has to get through his exams.

The 17-year-old was named head boy for 2012 at the end-of-year prizegiving on Tuesday but was given the news a few days prior.

"I knew beforehand, but still when it was announced [on Tuesday] it sunk in a bit more.

"I'm really proud to be head boy and I'm proud of the school, but I need to put that aside for a few weeks with exams."

He already has enough credits to pass NCEA level 2 with merit but is still working for the exams.

His mother, Marlborough Girls' College deputy principal Jo Chamberlain, has always had a strong focus on achieving academically.

The school has not yet named any deputy prefects.

Jack also plays for the school first XV rugby team and hopes to study law and commerce at Otago University after finishing at boys' college.

During his time as head boy Jack said he wanted the prefects to get more involved and be seen around the school.

He also hoped the boys' college prefects could work with their Marlborough Girls' College counterparts to share ideas.

It would be important to manage his time between school, rugby and responsibilities as head boy and to use his team of 27 prefects properly, he said.

"It's going to be like nothing I've ever done before, but that's exciting."

- The Marlborough Express

1 comment

Congrats Olivia #1 12:20 pm Nov 10 2011

You are going to be an AMAZING head girl and I hope you know you have all the support from the Class of '12 !!

SIMON WONG

Last updated 07:41 10/11/2011

DEREK FLYNN

Olivia Sheat and Jack Keown

Lesson for a whiteboard rookie

I was nervous all week about my teaching debut.

What if the students didn't like me? What if I couldn't explain myself properly or clearly? And most importantly – what if I was boring?

With its little symbols and many rules, shorthand is probably not the most exciting subject, and I wondered how I could make it interesting for 11 and 12-year-olds.

Shorthand is a writing and note-taking system taught to budding reporters and also formerly at schools around the country.

The days leading up to last Friday afternoon were filled with perusing my old university shorthand book trying to find some useful symbols and asking friends on Facebook and Twitter what their favourite outlines were.

How in-depth should I go? What about all those finicky rules? The words of my own shorthand tutor ring in my head: Never, ever, ever join an R and a D.

Perhaps I should go back and explain how I got myself into this situation.

I had been talking with one of the teachers a few weeks ago about taking a class one day to see what it might be like on the frontline of teaching.

She and Bohally Intermediate's new principal Andrew Reid both welcomed the idea.

Shorthand seemed to be the only thing I was qualified and knowledgeable enough about to be able to share my wisdom.

Friday afternoon came around like a shot and it was time to step into the classroom and show what I had. Room 9's pupils were the unwitting subjects of my experiment.

They sat quietly at their desks with not a sign of fatigue on a Friday afternoon. They were very obliging and seemed interested and entertained by what I had to show.

There were also a lot of intelligent questions and even a sigh of disappointment half-way through the alphabet when one student had to leave for an extra-curricular activity.

There was a look of amazement during a race with a student when I had finished the symbol for the word "Before" and he was only up to writing the first "e".

I probably underestimated their thirst for knowledge and maturity. The students had understood everything I had said and had picked up all the outlines I showed them including my favourite one – the word animal.

The students asked me questions afterwards, wanting to know how to write their names in shorthand and how to write some of the words on their spelling list.

So the big question is – did I make a good teacher? According to Room 9 teacher Rachael Moran, the answer is yes.

But you'd have to ask the kids.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 07:15 09/11/2011

Andrew So #3 via mobile 02:33 pm Nov 09 2011

Well done Simon!

impressed #2 08:48 am Nov 09 2011

Go Simon. Give up reporting and take up teaching. Kids need more male teachers - especially ones who make great role models. Well done

Mark Watson #1 08:38 am Nov 09 2011

Well done Simon, great work.

Boys caught with pants down

he Marlborough Boys' College unofficial tradition of a grundy run through the Marlborough Girls' College campus in Blenheim lost a bit of punch today when girls' college staff organised an early lunch period.

The annual run-in-your-undies through the school is usually timed to coincide with lunch period when the girls are out and about on the school grounds. But lunch time was over and most of the girls were back in class when the boys ran through the grounds about 1pm today.

The 50 boys were dressed in boxers or briefs and one wore a glittery gold g-string. They were also covered in blue paint body paint and slogans.

Chanting their college song they ran a lap around the school watched by some girls' college staff.

A small group of girls were seen standing at the side of the school hall applauding the boys, but were quickly ushered away by a member of staff.

The boys claimed this year's run was not just end-of-school hi-jink because they had donated money to the Prostate Cancer Foundation to take part. Several wore body paint in the foundation's colour, blue.

Senior students are nearly finished their school year with NCEA exams starting later this week. The girls' college is holding its prizegiving ceremony is tonight and boys' college ceremony is tomorrow afternoon.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 16:16 07/11/2011

Marlborough Boys' College students sing the college anthem underneath the Girls' College flagpole.

Climate may heat up business

Marlborough could be growing merlot and cabernet sauvignon instead of sauvignon blanc by 2030 if climate change trends remain as they are, a leading New Zealand scientist says.

Dr Jim Salinger gave an audience at the Marlborough Research Centre a glimpse yesterday of what conditions may be like in Marlborough based on scientific data.

He was joined by journalist Rod Oram, who spoke about how businesses can still profit from climate change.

Dr Salinger said climate data showed Marlborough's average temperature had increased by 0.9 degree Celsius since the 1930s.

As a result there have been fewer frosts in Blenheim and the Waihopai Valley. Between the 1930s and 2009 the number decreased to fewer than 20 per year from 50 in Blenheim and to 37 from about 45 in the Waihopai Valley.

Dr Salinger said the average temperature in Marlborough would increase 1C by 2030 and by 2C by 2090 and that the west of Marlborough would become wetter while the east would be more prone to drought.

He said the varieties of grape would migrate south because of increasing temperatures around the country, and the Marlborough climate would be more suitable for grapes such as merlot and cabernet sauvignon.

He said the acidity of the world's oceans would increase slightly by the end of the century, which would affect Marlborough's aquaculture industry.

Mr Oram said climate change presented opportunities for New Zealand, especially in the primary sector, but that a constructive approach was needed.

He said some in the wine industry marketed their products to environment-conscious consumers by promoting themselves as low-carbon producers, but that sheep and beef farmers were behind the wine industry in this respect.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 07:41 08/11/2011