Nervous air as school year starts

Dread, nervous excitement, apprehension – that unmistakable feeling of the first day at school.

Hundreds of Marlborough children were feeling a mixture of these emotions today as colleges, intermediate schools and many primary schools started the new school year.

Those such as 11-year-old Meg Macaskill, of Blenheim, took the next step in their educational journey. She is moving from Witherlea School to Bohally Intermediate, and said she was nervous and excited about starting at a new school.

"I'm excited because I'm going to meet new friends, but a tiny bit nervous because I don't know what the school will be like."

Meg said she planned to continue playing hockey, basketball and maybe volleyball at Bohally. She was also looking forward to taking food technology classes, and learning in the school's audio-visual studio.

"But there's probably going to be lots more homework. I'm a bit nervous about that."

Her parents Dave and Libby Macaskill accompanied their youngest daughter to school today, but said that from tomorrow, she would catch the bus from their Witherlea home.

A new school always meant new faces and unfamiliar surroundings, but Meg's friends from Witherlea School would make the transition easier, Mr Macaskill said.

Meg's school for the next two years would provide more than the challenge of making new friends as the school began to challenge the children and "start pushing them a bit more", he said.

Meanwhile, five-year-old M'kenzie Boyd had been looking forward to her first day at Renwick School ever since she finished kindergarten last year.

With her school bag full of books and a healthy lunch, and sporting her new uniform, M'kenzie walked to school this morning in earnest with mum Cherie Boyd, dad Matt Webb and a lot of excitement.

Renwick School, along with most other primary schools, started the new year today, while others will begin tomorrow or on Wednesday.

Ms Boyd said M'kenzie was "very excited" about her first day at school. Every day since finishing Renwick Preschool in mid-December, she had been asking her mum if it was time for her to go to school.

M'kenzie, an only child but with a sibling on the way, was also excited because her nana had been a pupil at the school.

Many of her friends from kindergarten would also be joining her among the new kids in the schoolyard.

Ms Boyd was excited but apprehensive about her first child starting school.

"It's kind of scary having your baby go to school, but I'm very excited. She's very happy, and definitely ready for it."

The lengths of school terms have been adjusted this year so the October term holiday coincides with the final stages of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

As a result, terms one and two are slightly longer than usual, and term four is two weeks shorter.

The third and fourth term dates have been changed, leaving a gap so every child in the country has the chance to watch the competition.

KEEP THEM SAFE

With the new school year beginning, road safety should be a key issue for children and their parents, police say.

Road policing manager Inspector Peter Baird said motorists and pedestrians also needed to take care near schools as thousands of children headed to school this week, many for the first time.

"Children walking, biking or scootering to school are not able to judge the distance at which a vehicle is approaching, so we're urging parents and road users to be wary of children ... and have a bit more patience."

He urged parents to talk to their children about road safety. "There'll be plenty of children who received new bikes and scooters at Christmas.

If they're riding these to school this year, we want parents to ensure their children are wearing helmets and know the basics of road safety."

Parents should also consider backpacks and jackets with reflectors, as they were a good way to help motorists see children, Mr Baird said.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 12:00 31/01/2011

Class cut to meet school budget

Cuts to senior French classes and other subjects at Marlborough Boys' College will be to the detriment of students and the region, says a Blenheim parent and member of the college's new charitable foundation.

Mike Eaton, co-owner of TerraVin, said his son Harrison, who will be year 11 this year, will have to study French by correspondence with six other students.

The school will cut Year 11 French and senior food technology classes to meet a tight budget caused by a falling student roll and a big debt to the Ministry of Education.

Principal Wayne Hegarty said teachers who left would not be replaced and some support and administration staff hours would also be cut.

Staff in managerial roles would also spend more time teaching.

In December, a group of college supporters launched the Marlborough College Charitable Foundation which aims to raise money for the college and increase the community links with the school.

Mr Eaton said Marlborough had a strong connection with France through the wine industry and he worried about the next generation of winemakers' language skills.

Correspondence classes did not allow for the camaraderie with classmates, he said.

Mr Hegarty said while the situation was not ideal, the only way the school could offer small classes was by raising money through alternative sources such as international students or by having more students in another subject's class.

For example, a group of 90 students that normally would be divided into four classes, could be split into three.

"That's more work for staff, there's no debate about that."

Eight year 11 and three year 12 students wanted to study French this year, he said.

Year 12 and 13 students normally studied French by correspondence because of the typically small numbers who chose to further their study, he said.

He and the school board had a "wishlist" of all classes and resources for the school and trimmed the list back to meet the school's budget.

The classes which have been affected did not have enough students enrolled to make them economically viable, he said.

The school would continue to employ a French teacher, but she would only teach junior classes.

Mr Hegarty said the college runs some classes of combined year levels, but it was difficult because staff would need to teach different curriculums at the same time.

"Some teachers will say they can manage it, but others won't be [up to it]. It's a hell of a work load."

Combined language and specialist classes with Marlborough Girls' College were also being discussed, but problems with the timetabling needed to be sorted out between the two schools, he said.

Any changes to the number of teaching staff would be associated with roll changes, he said.

A finalised list of other classes to be dropped or scaled back was not available.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 12:00 28/01/2011

Improved NCEA pass rates

The latest NCEA pass rates for all of Marlborough's colleges show marked improvements from last year, but principals say there is no room for complacency when the new academic year begins next week.

Marlborough Boys' College pass rate for NCEA Level 1 increased by 14.7 per cent, from 59.6 per cent in 2009 to 74.3 per cent last year.

The results were based on students eligible to pass NCEA with the 80 credits or more and did not include those who left part-way through the year.

Principal Wayne Hegarty said the results were "outstanding" and reflected the amount of work put in by both teachers and students.

The college actively targeted year 11 students last year to set the bar high for academic achievement and the school's efforts had "borne fruit", he said.

Year 11 students had to earn their study leave at the end of the year and extra classes were run by teachers during the study break.

"The results would suggest that it's had an impact," he said.

The college would struggle to emulate a similar increase in the pass rate this year, but the school's goal was to "keep improving all the time".

Queen Charlotte College principal Tom Parsons was impressed by the 89 per cent of eligible students passing NCEA Level 1 last year compared with 71 per cent in 2009.

NCEA Level 2 results for the college showed a 10 per cent increase, from 86 per cent in 2009 to 96 per cent last year.

Mr Parsons was disappointed the high pass rate for Level 1 seemed to be a trade-off for lower merit or excellence passes.

It was important for the college not to become complacent and think "you've cracked it and you can lay off"', he said.

The college's emphasis this year will be on improving attendance which would involve a greater liaison with the community to get students to school.

The correlation between achievement and attendance was high, Mr Parsons said.

Students achieved more merit and excellence passes in years 12 and 13 than in previous years and Mr Parsons hoped more year 13 students this year would be awarded scholarships.

"For a decile four school, and with a 30 per cent Maori roll, it goes to show smaller rural schools can be as effective as any school in the country," he said.

Marlborough Girls' College deputy principal Jude Young, also in charge of the school curriculum, said it was "awesome" achievement levels across the board had increased.

Level 1 results increased from 80 per cent in 2009 to 88.3 per cent last year; Level 2 from 84.5 per cent to 90 per cent, and Level 3 from 78.3 per cent to 86.3 per cent.

The results reflected an "absolutely concerted effort" from staff, parents and students, she said.

Students realised getting into university was becoming more competitive which meant "head down and bum up", she said.

This year, the college would focus on increasing the number of merit and excellence passes, she said.

"We've got quantity; now we want quality."

LOCAL NCEA RESULTS

Marlborough Boys' College

NCEA Level 1 74.3 per cent 2010 59.6 per cent 2009

NCEA Level 2 79.3 per cent 2010 72.5 per cent 2009

NCEA Level 3 65.9 per cent 2010 64 per cent 2009

Queen Charlotte College

NCEA Level 1 89 per cent 2010 71 per cent 2009

NCEA Level 2 96 per cent 2010 86 per cent 2009

NCEA Level 3 66 per cent 2010 66 per cent 2009

Marlborough Girls' College

NCEA Level 1 88.3 per cent 2010 80 per cent 2009

NCEA Level 2 90 per cent 2010 84.5 per cent 2009

NCEA Level 3 86.3 per cent 2010 78.3 per cent 2009

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 12:00 27/01/2011

SCOTT HAMMOND/Marlborough Express

GOOD RESULT: Marlborough Boys' College principal Wayne Hegarty says efforts last year to raise academic achievement have paid off.

Sanford workers quick to help

After the Canvastown flood came the flood of volunteers to help clean up.

Almost as soon as floodwaters receded after heavy rain inundated Canvastown, Havelock and areas of the Marlborough Sounds on December 27 and 28, about 20 volunteer workers from the Sanford mussel processing plant in Havelock were on the scene helping residents clean their properties and farms.

Fifteen volunteers spent about three days mopping up in Canvastown and six were in Havelock for two days.

More than 100 employees at the processing plant spent 10 weeks from September on full pay working on community projects around Marlborough while their factory was upgraded, volunteer hours that became part of a massive cleanup after the floods.

Canvastown resident Ian Archie, of Healeys Rd, nominated the workers as heroes after the flood. The Marlborough Express asked readers to nominate those whom they knew had put in a concerted effort in the aftermath which ripped up roads, trees and homes, and broke hearts.

"For residents to have that many guys turn up with shovels and spades was bloody incredible," Mr Archie said.

Canvastown Rural Fire Force chief fire officer and Sanford's day shift supervisor, Denis Marfell, said it was the volunteers' idea to go to Canvastown and all were enthusiastic about giving their time.

Mr Marfell was not surprised by their eagerness, saying the volunteers knew they were "not there for a holiday".

"They were bloody good, actually. On one farm I had a mate's quad bike with a trailer and they [the volunteers] kept me flat out with getting rid of the rubbish," he said.

Mr Marfell and the volunteers helped "whoever needed a hand" and used the rural-fire-force pumps and water to wash out five houses and seven sheds.

Just over three weeks after the downpour stopped there was still a lot of work left to do to get Canvastown back to normal, he said. Some of the front yards on Wakamarina Rd were still "just a shocking bloody mess".

Residents were rapt with the help they received from the workers, he said.

"One joker just about broke down in tears. He couldn't believe 10 to 12 people would help and get rid of all the rubble he'd looked at for two days. He just didn't know where to start [cleaning up]," he said.

The Havelock factory was back up and running now, but some workers still had a desire to go back to Canvastown to help residents.

"Some would still be out there right now if they could," Mr Marfell said.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 12:00 25/01/2011

DEREK FLYNN/Marlborough Express

LENDING A HAND: Sanford workers Robert Murdoch, Che Ritchie, Denis Marfell, George Grant and Jude Osmand, who were part of a group of volunteers to help in the big clean up of Canvastown after December's flood.

Diabetic's excuse 'ludicrous'

A Blenheim woman drove drunk because she was diabetic and needed to go home to get some sugar, her lawyer says.

Lisa Jo Hodgson, 37, a cleaner, admitted driving with excess breath alcohol third or subsequent and was sentenced to 250 hours' community work, nine months' supervision and disqualified from driving for one year and one day when she appeared in the Blenheim District Court yesterday.

A police summary of facts said Hodgson was stopped by the police after being seen driving erratically on Stephenson St, Blenheim, about 12.10am on December 11. She was found to have 555 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath. The legal limit is 400mcg.

Defence counsel Tane Brunt said Hodgson thought she was under the limit and needed to drive home to get sugar because she was diabetic.

Judge Paul Whitehead said Hodgson's explanation was "ludicrous" and she should not be drinking at all if she was a diabetic.

Although she was being sentenced on her fourth drink-driving charge, it was a "pleasing trend downwards" in terms of breath alcohol content. Previous readings had been in the range of 800 to 900mcg, Judge Whitehead said.

Other drink drivers in the Blenheim District Court yesterday:

Nicholas Joel Clark, 22, a fisherman of Picton, eba 642mcg, $600 fine, court costs, disqualified for six months.

Patricia Lynette Troon, 60, a housewife of Blenheim, eba 517mcg third or subsequent, four months' community detention, nine months' supervision, disqualified for two years.

- The Marlborough Express Last updated 12:00 25/01/2011

Moderate damage to new hometown

A former Marlborough man living in Queensland has returned home from a family holiday in New Zealand to find his house, and his town, relatively unscathed by the floodwaters that devastated much of the state.

Dean Comerford, his wife and two children arrived back in their new hometown of Gympie on Wednesday, a year after first moving there.

Mr Comerford, originally from Southland, lived in Marlborough in the late 1980s. The family holidayed in New Zealand for three weeks, missing the floods.

Mr Comerford's wife was glad the family missed the flood, but Mr Comerford, a church pastor, said it took away a shared experience with the community.

Gympie, a town of about 30,000 people 170 kilometres north of Brisbane, was prone to flooding and experienced five minor floods last year, Mr Comerford said.

Most of the town was built quite high, so was relatively safe from major flood damage and residents were used to constant flooding, he said. However, about 100 homes were flooded, roads were damaged, culverts blocked, sports grounds and public spaces filled with water, and some bridges damaged beyond repair.

Mr Comerford said the business of a member of his congregation had been completely under water, along with the business across the road and two others. A creek bed surrounded that part of the town and because of frequent flooding, there was little building done there.

"[The residents of Gympie] are well prepared for flooding.

"When they know a flood is coming, trucks and volunteers turn up to prepare the town, without them being being asked to," Mr Comerford said.

Business owners knew what items were at risk of water damage and packed them on trucks to take to higher ground and most businesses were now up and running again. Supermarket shelves, however, were still bare, and the price of fruit and vegetables had skyrocketed, with apples costing $8 a kilogram, he said.

SIMON WONG

Last updated 12:00 21/01/2011 - The Marlborough Express

Burglary at ChCh house arose from altercation

A Waikawa man who stole a flatscreen television, DVDs and CDs from a Christchurch house did so to get back at the owners, the police say.

Thomas Beau Cooze, 21, admitted burglary and breaching bail when he appeared in the Blenheim District Court yesterday. He was sentenced to 80 hours' community work.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Steve Frost said Cooze had permission to be at the house earlier in the day on December 29, but had an altercation with the occupants.

About 8.50pm, Cooze went back to the house with four other people and told them he needed to pick up some of his belongings.

During that time, $1500 worth of items were taken, including a flatscreen TV, a display cabinet, a punching bag, DVDs and CDs.

The items were loaded into a waiting car, Mr Frost said.

Defence counsel Kent Arnott said all the items were recovered within a few minutes of the burglary and Cooze was angry about the altercation earlier in the day.

Attack alleged

A Picton teenager facing a charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm was granted bail in court yesterday.

Hemi Smith, 17, entered no plea and was bailed to a Picton address on a 24-hour curfew unless with his caregiver.

He will reappear on February 14.

It is alleged Smith attacked another teenager, Jordan Cook, who suffered serious cuts to his face, throat, arms and a leg, in Nelson Square in Picton about 10.30pm on Friday, December 3.

Other charges

Dickson Brun Tari, 33, of Seddon, admitted four charges of shoplifting, was given a six-month suspended sentence and was ordered to pay reparation of $459.94.

Marama Julia Moanaroa, 40, of Blenheim, admitted assault and was convicted and discharged.

Atunaisa Taufa, 19, of Blenheim, admitted receiving a mountainbike and giving false details and was given a 12-month suspended sentence and ordered to pay $300 in emotional harm to the victim.

Shaun Jon Jordan, 42, a labourer of Linkwater, admitted obstructing police and was fined $500 and court costs.

Levi Smith, 18, of Queensland, admitted assault and was ordered to pay $400 in emotional harm and court costs.

Rhys Renata Pereka, 33, unemployed of Blenheim, admitted intentional damage of a car and possession of a pipe to smoke cannabis and was sentenced to 80 hours' community work and $425.50 in reparation.

Lesley Lee Taurima, 26, a manager of Blenheim, admitted disorderly behaviour and obstructing the police.

She was sentenced to 200 hours' community work which incorporated half her fines and was convicted and discharged for disorderly behaviour.

Benjamin Gladstone Scott-Stewart, 19, of Riversdale, admitted burglary and was sentenced to one month's community detention.

Dean Owen Pakai, 43, admitted unlawfully being in a building and was sentenced to 180 hours' community work.

Benjamin Scott Tangen, 22, a fisherman, of Picton, admitted disorderly behaviour and was fined $300 and court costs.

Shannon Ian Luscombe, 28, a labourer, of Havelock, admitted intentional damage and assault and was given a suspended sentence and nine months' supervision.

Last updated 12:00 18/01/2011

News in brief

Remanded on bail

A 46-year-old Picton woman entered no plea to charges of stealing money from the Waitohi Rugby Club, when she appeared in the Blenheim District Court yesterday.

Louise Jill Hide, a manager, also entered no plea to obtaining food items valued at $58.34 by deception.

Charge sheets state Hide stole $1000 from the rugby club between January 1 2005 and November 25 last year and that she stole $2717 from the club on August 20 last year.

Hide was remanded on bail and will reappear on February 7 when she will be required to enter a plea.

Worker on bail

A 20-year-old forestry worker charged with beating up a man he believed put faeces in his girlfriend's handbag entered no plea in the Blenheim District Court yesterday.

Lance James Mackel was charged with injuring Andrew Carman, 58, of Wellington, with reckless disregard for the safety of others after the incident at Cow Shed Bay camping ground in the Marlborough Sounds on November 28.

He was granted bail and will reappear in court on February 7.

Assault charge

An 18-year-old Picton man has been charged with assault after allegedly injuring a Malaysian tourist on the Picton foreshore on Saturday night.

Sergeant Kris Payne, of Picton, said the tourist required two stitches to his mouth. Last updated 11:45 18/01/2011

Miracle' drunk mum nabbed

A drunk mother was found unconscious at the wheel of her car with her two young children awake in the back seat, the Blenheim District Court was told yesterday.

Judge Noel Walsh said the fact police found Alicia Marie Cowper, 26, before she was able to drive was a miracle.

Cowper pleaded guilty to leaving children under 14 without supervision and was fined $300. Judge Walsh also gave her a 12 month suspended sentence.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Steve Frost said Cowper, whose children were aged 6 and 3, was drinking at her home in Blenheim about 8.30pm on November 5 last year before driving to a party on Lansdowne St with the children.

Cowper and others at the party checked on the children several times during the night, Mr Frost said.

Police were called about 1.30am after a fight broke out at the house and police found Cowper "grossly intoxicated" and unconscious in the driver's seat with her seatbelt on, he said. Both children were in the back and wide awake.

Judge Walsh said Cowper "clearly had a problem with booze" and it was a miracle police stopped her from driving.

The charge was fineable only, but he recommended Cowper take a parenting course.

- The Marlborough Express

Last updated 12:00 18/01/2011

Teen caught by police wearing stolen undies

A Blenheim teenager who fled from the police on foot, running through several properties, was eventually found wearing a woman's bathrobe and panties.

Vaea Samasoni, 18, appeared in the Blenheim District Court yesterday, where he admitted unlawfully being in an enclosed yard and failing to appear in court. He was remanded in custody to be sentenced on January 31.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Steve Frost said Samasoni, a Marlborough Boys' College student, was seen by a member of the public on the roof of a Burden St home about 2am on January 11. The police were called and Samasoni ran off, with the occupant of the house chasing him.

He ran through several properties in Gill Cres, fell into a swimming pool and took a woman's bathrobe to keep warm.

Samasoni was eventually caught by police dogs wearing the robe and a pair of women's underwear.

Yesterday Samasoni also admitted a burglary in which he and his brother stole alcohol from a Muller Rd home on October 27.

When they finished the alcohol, they stole an empty keg from the Old Bank Cafe and used it to smash their way into Redwoodtown Countdown supermarket to steal wine, Mr Frost said.

Judge Noel Walsh threatened to hold Samasoni's brother, who was in the public gallery, in custody after he called out to the judge telling him the keg was empty.

Judge Walsh said Samasoni was remanded in custody for a pre-sentence report because of his deliberate attempts to evade the police, failing to appear in court and his offending while on bail.

The Marlborough Express Last updated 12:00 18/01/2011

Canvastown picking up the pieces after flood

Canvastown couple Alan and Janet Manning will receive an insurance payout after floodwaters ripped through their Wakamarina Rd property last month, but say it will be too expensive to rebuild the 100-year-old house.

The Mannings decided against repairing the house, which their insurance company estimated would cost $100,000.

"We're not going to tear it down; it will just sit as an empty shell," Mr Manning said.

"We can wreck it if we want to, but it's not cheap to knock down a house. It just seems like wasted money."

Their home was damaged by last month's flood, caused by a storm that left widespread damage across north Marlborough. Other Wakamarina Rd residents whose homes were damaged would not be tearing down their houses and everyone was still planning to stay put on their properties, he said.

The Mannings, who lived in their Wakamarina Rd home for three years and owned it freehold, would not rebuild on the land because they feared the Wakamarina River would breach its banks again.

"The fact of the matter is what's stopping us [from rebuilding] is the river can come up anytime it feels like it and do the same thing. It will be a total loss to us if there's another flood."

Mr Manning was not sure what the couple would do with the insurance money, but said they did not want to rent for the rest of their lives and wanted to be freehold again.

The couple want to stay in the Havelock or Canvastown area. They are renting a house in Havelock and trying to salvage what they can from their property, including Mr Manning's vintage radio collection. About half the 1000 radios were ruined after the heavy rains on December 27 and 28, but could still be used for spare parts.

Marlborough District Council assets and services manager Mark Wheeler said council staff would meet with Wakamarina and Canvastown residents this week to discuss ways to minimise damage in the valley during the next flood. This includes putting in place warning systems and communications systems.

The area was one of the worst affected areas during the heavy rains in late December, he said.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 12:00 17/01/2011

DEREK FLYNN/Marlborough Express

EMPTY SHELL: The Wakamarina home of Alan and Janet Manning, who do not intend to rebuild because of fears it could be flooded again.

Food in short supply in Queensland

Finding food supplies in Brisbane supermarkets is becoming increasingly difficult as floodwaters continue to isolate areas of Queensland, according to ex-Marlburians in the area.

Grovetown's Arabella Waghorn, a 20-year-old university student on a working holiday in Brisbane, said her sister Libby's flat which is seven kilometres west of the Brisbane CBD still had no power or landline.

It was expected power and phone lines would be restored today or tomorrow, she said.

Arabella, who is staying with her sister, said the pair were using a gas hotplate to cook their food and went to the supermarket a couple of days ago for supplies.

"Everyone has bought the long-life milk and tins of tomatoes and baked beans were almost gone," she said.

Shelves of canned goods and bread were also empty. The sisters still had a chillybin with food to last them a few more days.

When the Marlborough Express spoke to Miss Waghorn early yesterday afternoon (NZ time) the sun was out, but during the previous night it continued to rain.

Miss Waghorn, who had planned to fly back to Marlborough at the end of January, decided to cut her trip short and fly back next week.

However, she had been unable to book a flight because her sister's flat had no power or internet access and it was almost impossible to get anywhere by road.

The sisters have no choice but to wait until power and phone lines are restored; they had not heard any news reports about the state of the city.

Their mother, Jane Forrest-Waghorn, of Grovetown, had been calling the sisters on their mobile phones constantly, and their phone batteries now had very low power.

Miria Walker, formerly of Blenheim but living in Caboolture north of Brisbane, said water levels on her street had begun to subside leaving mud, sludge and debris.

Mrs Walker called a few supermarkets to check if they had any supplies and said she had been told the supermarket bakeries were baking "like crazy".

Milk, baked beans and fruit and vegetables were sold out, she said.

The family believed the worst of the weather was over, but hoped the rain would stay away. Her daughters Jordan, 14, and Madison, 10, were in good spirits although Madison did not like watching news of the flood.

Former Blenheim man Craig Buchanan, who has lived in Brisbane for two years, said as the water started to subside people were returning to their homes to inspect damage and more bodies were being found.

Mr Buchanan's house was spared from flood damage, but his workplace was partly under water. He had not been to a supermarket for supplies, but would need to in the next few days.

Supermarkets would be struggling to get milk because Queensland's main milk factory was underwater, he said.

SIMON WONG - The Marlborough Express

Last updated 12:00 14/01/2011

Relief as exam results viewed online

The wait was over for thousands of teenagers yesterday as NCEA examination results were posted online.

Year 11, 12 and 13 students were able to access their long-awaited results from the 2010 end-of-year exams, while the more traditional mailed letters with official results will be sent on January 17.

Former Marlborough Girls' College student Francesca Dashfield, 17, said she lost sleep waiting for the results of her exams to come in and checked the New Zealand Qualifications Authority website every day, even though she knew when results would be available.

Francesca passed NCEA Level 3 and achieved enough credits to gain university entrance.

Her results were a lot better than she expected, she said.

"I was panicking ever since I finished [my exams]. Now I can sleep at night," she said.

Francesca was worried she would not get enough credits for university entrance, because she had already paid a deposit for the halls of residence for this year at Victoria University in Wellington where she will study towards an arts degree.

Marlborough Boys' College student Nick Andrews, 17, who is in year 13 this year, passed NCEA Level 2, but said his marks were worse than what he expected for the amount of study he put towards his final exams.

"I'm not impressed with the results. It's kind of a wake-up for this year," he said.

Marlborough Girls' College student Emily Sutton, 18, was slightly frustrated with her marks, because she was a few credits short of passing NCEA Level 3 with excellence. The marks were about what she expected and reflected the amount of study she did during the exam season.

Emily moves to Dunedin soon to study health science at the University of Otago.

Eighty-nine per cent of students at Queen Charlotte College who sat NCEA Level 1 passed, 96 per cent passed Level 2 and 66 per cent passed Level 3.

Principal Tom Parsons was confident of high pass rates for levels 1 and 2, and said it was "outstanding" for a decile-3 school.

The lower level-3 pass rate could be because of the deaths of Picton teenagers Alick Tapp, 17, and Michael Mealings, 17, earlier in the year after a ute carrying six teenagers crashed off the road at Koromiko, he said. Many students were absent during that time.

Marlborough Boys' College principal Wayne Hegarty hoped the NCEA Level 1 results had vastly improved since 2009, because the college put a strong emphasis on year-11 students.

He had seen results only for art, in which the college received nine excellences and 15 merits, and he predicted it would be the college's top performing area.

Marlborough Girls' College principal Karen Stewart was overseas and had not seen the results.

SIMON WONG - The Marlborough Express

Last updated 12:00 13/01/2011

EAGER ANTICIPATION: Former Marlborough Girls' College student Francesca Dashfield lost sleep while waiting for her NCEA examination results to be posted online. She gained enough credits to pass Level 3 and gain University Entrance. Photo: SCOTT HAMMOND

There's nothing quite like it, says flying teen

The first time 16-year-old Affrica Stein flew in a helicopter she knew it was what she wanted to do for the rest of her life.

Affrica, from Wellington, is one of 35 Air Training Corps cadets in Marlborough taking part in an flight training course at Base Woodbourne which ends next Thursday.

She flew solo in a Piper Tomahawk, which cadets use to train in, for the first time on Tuesday when the course began and hoped to get as many hours under her belt as possible before the camp finished.

Flying was Affrica's "favourite thing ever" and she had plans to become a pilot in the air force.

"I just love being on base. The environment is just nice and structured and I just like the way the day runs nicely," she said.

South Island Air Training Corps Association vice-president Brian Roberts said the students would spend 12 intensive days learning about aircraft maintenance and radio procedures, as well as flying with an instructor.

Cadet Andrew Grubb, 16, of Lower Hutt, completed his first solo flight yesterday. He joined the ATC three years ago because he was intrigued by the new experiences it promised.

Flying was like "being a bird" and "going solo" was the ultimate goal for him and all the other cadets, he said. The skies were not as busy with other aircraft like in other places around the country, he said.

Chief flying instructor for the course, Craig Walecki, said students were briefed before each flying lesson, which included instructions on how to turn, climb and descend, and techniques for when the engine stalled.

After each student flew solo they got their wings, which came in the form of a badge and was usually a "very proud moment" for them.

It was up to the students whether they continued with their flight training, possibly through aero clubs, he said.

SIMON WONG - The Marlborough Express

Last updated 12:00 13/01/2011

HAVE WINGS, WILL FLY: Affrica Stein, from Wellington, is one of 35 Air Training Corps cadets from around the country learning to fly at Base Woodbourne. Affrica is pictured with flight instructor Hayden Leech, from the Ardmore Flying School. Photo: SCOTT HAMMOND.

Canvastown's second gold rush

he Wakamarina River has become the scene of a second goldrush after last month's flood, bringing hope that someone's fortune has been churned up in the process.

Heavy rain on December 28 caused a flood that left some houses condemned in Wakamarina and Canvastown.

Yesterday, holidaymakers at Pinedale Motor Camp on the Wakamarina River were panning in search of elusive nuggets, or at least specks, of gold.

Barrie Shannon, of Auckland, was on holiday with wife Marion and daughter Sophie, eight, and had spent about three hours searching for the precious metal with a metal detector.

However, his Eureka Gold metal detector did not unearth the fortune Mr Shannon was looking for.

The family had booked to stay at the motor camp even before heavy rains caused flooding late last month. Mr Shannon said the flood waters would have increased chances of finding gold, because the water would have disturbed some of the river rocks.

He said it was also possible the water might have washed what little gold was in the river towards Canvastown.

Mr Shannon, who has had an interest in gold panning for several years, also brought two gold pans to try his luck.

New Zealand could take better advantage of the gold-mining element of the tourism industry, he said.

The family planned to stay at the motor camp for a few more days, before heading to the West Coast to keep trying their luck.

Mr Shannon had tried his hand at striking gold in several places around the country, but had not yet found a secret spot.

"There's always gold," he said.

"It's just a matter of where to look."

Christchurch man John Tater was holidaying at the motor camp with daughters Jessica, nine, and Jorja, eight. They had not been gold panning yet, but were thinking about hiring pans from the camp shop.

Motor camp co-owner Mark Hodgson said gold still existed by the river, but people would have better chances of finding any away from the campsite, because campers had been trying their luck there for about 40 years.

Mr Shannon had not yet struck a significant amount of gold, but said if he did, he would keep it for himself.

Gold was discovered in the Wakamarina Valley in 1860, but the gold rush did not begin until 1864, when larger deposits were found. The rush ended about a year later.

Up to 6000 gold prospectors worked around Canvastown and lived in small canvas tents while they worked their claim.

SIMON WONG - The Marlborough Express

Last updated 12:00 13/01/2011

STAKING HIS CLAIM: Auckland holidaymaker Barrie Shannon searches for gold with his metal detector on the banks of the Wakamarina River, after floodwaters churned up parts of the river last month. Photo: DEREK FLYNN

Speed a factor in crash

A female passenger who appeared to be drunk had to be restrained in handcuffs yesterday after the car she was in crashed at high speed into a parked car in Blenheim, witnesses say.

The driver, a 31-year-old unemployed Blenheim man, is likely to face speed and alcohol-related charges after he crashed into the parked vehicle at 4.30pm on the corner of Budge St and Grove Rd, police said.

Witnesses told The Marlborough Express at least two of the three female passengers appeared drunk and one of them had to be restrained by the police.

Police confirmed today there were three female passengers, two of them aged 17, but could not say whether they had been drinking.

The third passenger, aged 45, had to be cut from the car by the Blenheim Volunteer Fire Brigade.

St John Ambulance operations team manager Tony Cronin said all four car occupants were taken to Wairau Hospital, in Blenheim.

The 45-year-old woman suffered back and abdominal pains, while the driver had arm and facial injuries. One of the 17-year-old passengers suffered a head injury and the other had minor leg injuries.

The driver of the parked car said he ran to safety as the speeding Subaru Legacy crashed into his vehicle and shunted it several metres forward onto the footpath.

He said he was returning to his car and had opened the driver's door when he saw the Subaru travelling at "excessive speed" towards him.

The man, from Blenheim, ran out of the way and was uninjured, but said his insured car was most likely a writeoff.

Constable Michelle Stagg, of Blenheim, said speed and alcohol were factors in the crash, and charges were likely. Police were awaiting the result of the driver's blood alcohol test, which could take up to two weeks. Speed, alcohol and driving were "definitely not a good mix".

Police were aware the Mayfield area was popular for boy-racer-type behaviour, Miss Stagg said.

CLAIRE CONNELL AND SIMON WONG - The Marlborough Express

Last updated 11:59 06/01/2011

A Subaru Legacy crashed in Budge St, Blenheim

Hotel bounces back after big flood

A photo slideshow plays on repeat in the Trout Hotel in Canvastown showing patrons the extent of the flood which hit the Wakamarina Valley early last week.

Hotel co-owner Karen Cresswell said the slideshow, which included aerial pictures of the Trout Hotel and surrounding areas and a huge slip outside Canvastown, was a reminder to the locals and also an eyeopener for newcomers to the Hotel.

"People just have no idea of the damage," she said.

Co-owner Raymond Cresswell said passersby who arrived at the Trout Hotel last week looking for a hot meal did not realise the area had been flooded and were surprised when they found out.

The Hotel opened yesterday just more than a week after heavy rain inundated Canvastown and other parts of Marlborough.

The couple initially thought it would take months to reopen, but Mrs Cresswell said they had received a lot of community support to get the 130-year-old institution up and running.

It was important to have the business running again to restore normality, Mrs Cresswell said.

While the business was fully functional, there would be small jobs that would need to be done over time.

"It's a bit rough, but it'll be OK until we get around to it," she said. "It's just good to get the mud out of here."

A big party was being planned at the Trout Hotel to thank all those who helped clean up.

SIMON WONG - The Marlborough Express

Last updated 12:06 06/01/2011

DEREK FLYNN

BACK IN BUSINESS: Canvastown's Trout Hotel owners Raymond and Karen Cresswell celebrate the reopening of the business yesterday after a week's hard work cleaning up after last week's flood in the Wakamarina Valley.

Rain won't dampen holiday fun

A Christchurch family are determined to continue their holiday at a Marlborough campground in spite of having their camping gear and Christmas presents washed away in heavy rain last week.

Jade Perrow, his partner Tracey Gray and children Ashlee-Page, 10, Katelyn, 4, and Maddison Perrow, 3, escaped the flooded Pelorus Bridge campground about 4.30am on Tuesday last week with little more than their clothes and their car after being given 10 minutes to pack up their things and evacuate.

Mr Perrow said the family, who had stayed at the campground before, arrived on Boxing Day and planned to stay three weeks.

But their plans were altered after the rapidly rising Pelorus River washed away their tent, Christmas presents and other gear. None of it was insured, Mr Perrow said.

Ms Gray said the family lost only a chimney during the Christchurch earthquake in September but they knew now what it felt like to lose their possessions.

The family drove to Blenheim in heavy rain and stayed at a motel until the campground reopened on Monday.

Ashlee-Page said she woke up on Monday night because rain had soaked through the tent and the bed; at one point she and her sisters were floating on their inflatable mattresses in the tent.

Ms Gray and Mr Perrow said they tried to downplay the situation to keep the children calm.

And now, more than a week later the family are back at the camp after the campground managers loaned them a tent and tarpaulins.

"We came for a holiday and we'd been saving up for it," Mr Perrow said.

"The kids deserve [a holiday] and that's what we're going to give them."

The family will head back to Christchurch on January 16, staying with friends in Kaikoura for a few nights on the way.

Pelorus Bridge campground co-manager Stephanie Neal said the campground, which has 32 tent sites and 14 powered sites, was again fully occupied after a lot of help from the Department of Conservation staff.

Most campers understood the conditions, although some decided not to stay because of the mud on some of the sites, she said.

SIMON WONG - The Marlborough Express

Last updated 12:06 06/01/2011

Stroke of luck saves farmhouse

A Christchurch woman who was staying with her parents in Havelock for Christmas thought she heard thunder as hundreds of logs from a forestry site barrelled toward her parents' home during last week's heavy rain.

As the rain and "thunder" continued, she assumed the flashes of light she saw were lightning, not sparks from arcing power lines.

Dairy farmer Robbie Wratt, who lives 5 kilometres south of Havelock, said it was a stroke of luck that the logs missed the family home and milking shed next door.

The house was not damaged, but some of the logs went down the sides of the property as well as into the effluent pond.

Mr Wratt's son, Matt, said his sister, who was visiting with her husband and young daughter, was sleeping in the front room of the house and about 6.30am on Tuesday thought she heard thunder "but it didn't stop".

She also saw a flash outside which she thought was lightning, but was the powerline coming down, he said.

"There was nothing to be done. We just had to watch it."

At one point the family decided to leave the house for their safety, he said.

Matt and his father stayed behind to move the stock, while the other family members went to stay with friends, he said.

Matt, a software engineer who was also visiting from Christchurch, was spending the rest of his holiday helping clear fences surrounding paddocks on the farm.

He said earlier on Monday night his car was parked where some of the logs eventually ended up which would have written it off, but he had moved it after running an errand.

Mr Wratt, a third-generation farmer in the area, said it would take a few days to clean up one of his flooded paddocks.

Some of the pasture was covered in mud and silt and would probably need to be regrassed, he said.

"I'm not too thrilled ... we could have done without it," he said.

SIMON WONG - The Marlborough Express

Last updated 12:00 04/01/2011

SCOTT HAMMON

HELPING HAND: Matt Wratt, of Christchurch, is home on his parents' farm near Havelock, helping to clean up after last week's flood.

Editorial: Get off your hands

t is so easy to expect someone else to do the work.

When wood and rubbish were blown and washed on to the foreshore in Picton, residents expected the council to arrive with diggers and trucks to clean it up. Ratepayers in other parts of the region expected the same service – or better – when they were flooded, had no power or water or sewerage and their roads were blocked or washed away.

Which work should have been the priority?

In this case, the council was right to first restore essential services, and work on that will continue today now the holidays are over. Meantime, Picton has waited for the mess on the foreshore to be cleaned up.

Unfortunately it is the height of the visitor season and the mess does not create a good impression in the port town, leading residents to complain to the council. Sounds ward councillor David Oddie sensibly offered to organise some gear for the callers to help him do the work, but they weren't interested. They saw that as the council's work.

The council should have done more to clean up the mess by calling staff or contractors back from holiday. It is more than a week since the storm that caused the problem and nothing much has been done outside the emergency repairs.

But that doesn't mean residents can sit back and moan. It's their town and they should help clean up the mess.

Express reporter Tania Butterfield saw how people in Canterbury helped each other after the quakes and can't understand all this sitting on hands in Picton. She is living there and sees the need to do something about it.

Tania and Mr Oddie planned to be on the waterfront this afternoon to get on with the clean-up.

Meantime, the council is back at work this morning and it looks like it has got someone on to the clean-up. That's good for the town, especially with a cruise liner expected in port on Friday.

So the residents can sit on their hands again. It's a shame they didn't take the chance to show some community spirit and maybe even have some fun while they were at it.

The Marlborough Express

Last updated 13:49 05/01/2011

Car clipped rail in fatal crash

Speed, alcohol and road conditions were factors in the fatal car crash at Canvastown about 9pm on Sunday, say police.

Senior Constable Maurice Horne, of Havelock, said Wayne William Anderson, 52, from Westport, could have been speeding in a temporary 50kmh zone in place after floods in the area last week.

The road through Canvastown is usually a 100kmh zone, but heavy rain which flooded the Wakamarina Valley damaged roads and washed away tarseal.

Mr Anderson, who was travelling from Havelock toward Nelson on Sunday, clipped a guard rail on Racecourse Creek and lost control of his Ford Explorer four-wheel-drive truck, which flipped.

A witness, who was about 800 metres away with an unobstructed view, saw the car spin four times in the air before landing, Mr Horne said.

Mr Anderson had a meal at Clubs Marlborough, in Blenheim, earlier that night where he drank alcohol, he said. Police also found an open bottle of alcohol in the car.

His Ford Explorer landed on its roof in an area of flood water. Mr Anderson had not been wearing his seatbelt when the car crashed and went through the driver's side window, Mr Horne said. He died at the scene.

Mr Anderson, who was a machine operator for a coal mining company in Westport, moved to Marlborough about a week ago.

Havelock and Rai Valley volunteer fire brigades were called to the crash as well as a St John ambulance.

The death is the 11th on the roads during the official holiday period, which ends at 6am tomorrow.

SIMON WONG - The Marlborough Express

Last updated 12:00 04/01/2011

Condemned and into the skip

As the cleanup in Canvastown continues after last week's flood, residents such as Alan Manning are coming to terms with the future of their properties.

Mr Manning and his wife, Janet, lived on Wakamarina Rd in Canvastown, but after floodwaters had left their home all but officially condemned they have been living in a motel unit at the Trout Hotel just up the road.

Mr Manning said insurance assessors visited their home on Wednesday, the day after the heavy rain subsided, and had written off the furniture, whiteware, four cars and tools including chainsaws and a ride-on lawnmower.

Their insurance company had already paid out for the contents and the four cars, one of which belonged to Mr Manning's father.

The Mannings, in their early 60s, had since bought a car to allow Mrs Manning to continue working in Havelock. Mr Manning was using a bicycle to travel from the motel to the house to continue the cleanup.

He expected the house to be condemned, although an official decision had not been made by the insurance company.

"We've lost all the equity altogether. We would have a piece of land that may or may not sell and it would be foolish to spend a lot of money to rebuild anything," he said.

"What worries me is unless we get some property protection there will be no point in rebuilding."

He was not sure what measures would be needed to protect Wakamarina Rd and the surrounding area from another flood.

If the couple rebuilt on the same land the house would not be insured.

He had spent the last few days salvaging what he could from their home and putting the remains in a shipping container which Civil Defence offered to him, but he needed to pay for. He would also attempt to fix some of the items which the insurance assessor had written off, including his ride-on mower and chainsaws.

A week after the flood Mr Manning still did not know the full extent of the damage because he had not been inside another shed on the property or the garage and workshop which housed his vintage radio collection. The Marlborough District Council provided free skips for residents and Mr Manning had filled four and was expecting to fill at least one more with destroyed possessions.

"We've lost a lot of stuff we'll never see again. We just had to throw it all in the skip," he said.

Mr Manning spoke to his parents, aged 82 and 84 and who were put on to chairs on the kitchen bench to get away from rising floodwaters on Monday night and said they were still slightly traumatised by the experience.

The Mannings, who are determined to stay in the Wakamarina Valley, would eventually rent in Havelock before deciding whether they could afford to buy another house.

SIMON WONG - The Marlborough Express

Last updated 12:00 05/01/2011

SIMON WONG/The Marlborough Express

RUINED: Canvastown resident Alan Manning outside the shed that houses his vintage radio collection and other treasured possessions. He says they were unsalvagable after heavy rains flooded the Wakamarina Valley early last week.

Kayaker completes first leg

There was no major New Year's celebration for Tauranga kayaker Tim Taylor when he landed on Rarangi beach on Friday night in his bid to circumnavigate the country solo in a kayak.

Mr Taylor, aged 24, arrived on Rarangi beach about 8.30pm after a difficult crossing of the Cook Strait in which his rudder broke part way through, adding about three times as much work and making it difficult for him to paddle straight.

He was met by his parents, Lyn and Paul, and family friends, who constantly monitor his progress with a GPS tracking system.

Mrs Taylor said she had not felt worried about her son until Friday because he had been hugging the coast on his way south from Tauranga.

Making the Cook Strait crossing had an element of the unknown, she said.

Mr Taylor, a trained viticulturist who worked in Blenheim for seven months at Cloudy Bay winery, said New Year's Eve was just another night and he set out again on Saturday morning heading towards Kaikoura, once he had fixed the rudder.

He pulled in to the coast near the Awatere River mouth on Saturday night and yesterday rounded Cape Campbell and pulled in along the coast near Tirohanga. He set out again shortly before 6am today and by 8am was well on the way to Clarence.

Mr Taylor's departure from Wellington on Friday morning was delayed because of rough weather in Cook Strait. He finally left Sinclair Point about 10.20am amid a drama in which Search and Rescue were looking for three men whose boat had capsized in the strait.

"That was a bad omen type thing," he said when he had reached the Marlborough coast.

The men were eventually found alive.

Mr Taylor, who took a year off work to train and prepare for the trip, contemplated spending the night at Fighting Bay in the Marlborough Sounds before making the final push to Rarangi, but said he was out of food.

He was delayed by a day in Wellington because of bad weather and ate the day's allocation of freeze-dried food he packed for the trip across the strait, he said.

Landing in the South Island was the end of the first leg of his trip after leaving Tauranga on November 27; the next leg was from the top of the south to Invercargill.

Although he was about 15 days behind schedule, Mr Taylor was still aiming to complete his continuous journey by April.

His kayak was "off the shelf," which showed people that anyone could make a similar trip, he said.

Kayaking on his own was a "pretty big mental game", he said.

"I know I've got the fitness to make the distance; it's what's going on in your head that's the barrier," he said.

SIMON WONG - The Marlborough Express

Last updated 12:30 03/01/2011

SCOTT HAMMOND/The Marlborough Express

Kayaker Tim Taylor landed on Rarangi beach on New Year's Eve after crossing the Cook Strait in his attempt to be the first person to circumnavigate New Zealand solo in a kayak.