Insomnia blamed for theft

A case of insomnia is behind at least one break-in during a spate of car thefts around Blenheim by a 17-year-old, Blenheim District Court has heard.

Reuben Joseph Roberts, of Blenheim, admitted 28 charges of theft, unlawfully interfering with motor vehicles, unlawfully taking motor vehicles, burglary and wilful damage when he appeared in the court yesterday.

He was granted bail until his sentencing on March 12.

The summary of facts says the thefts and break-ins took place between December and January and involved at least 27 different cars and motorbikes.

In one of the thefts Roberts broke into a Ford van using a small screwdriver, found a spare set of keys and took the van.

Roberts picked up friends and drove them towards Christchurch.

He later told police he could not sleep so went for a walk with the intent to look in cars.

Other break-ins involved Roberts opening unlocked cars and using keys from the same make to open older model cars.

Police searched Roberts' house on January 20 and found some of the stolen property including 51 sets of house and car keys.

- The Marlborough Express

Last updated 07:33 31/01/2012

Man drunk behind wheel

An American citizen caught driving on the wrong side of the road while drunk said he did not want to leave his rental car behind, according to police.

Andrew Neil McCall, 32, admitted driving with excess breath alcohol when he appeared in Blenheim District Court yesterday.

He was fined $650, court costs and disqualified for six months.

McCall was found to have 633 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath. The legal limit is 400mcg.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Graham Single said McCall was pulled over by police on Main St, Blenheim about 3.50am on January 12 because he was driving on the wrong side of the road. Defence lawyer Bryony Millar said McCall was in New Zealand on a working holiday and needed to return his rental car by a certain time.

Judge Stephen Harrop said McCall put the car at more risk by driving on the wrong side of the road and drunk than leaving it parked on the street. McCall had no previous convictions which showed he was of good character, he said.

Other drink drivers in court:

Chanelle Rose Arthur, 21, of Blenheim, 526mcg, fined $525, court costs and disqualified for six months.

Abraham McIvor, 24, a labourer of Blenheim, 448mcg for a third or subsequent charge, will be sentenced on March 19.

Raymond Remi, 61, a deck hand of Spring Creek, 556mcg, a third or subsequent charge, sentenced to four months' community detention and disqualified for 18 months.

Donald Gordon Wikitapu-Waikari, 47, a vineyard worker of Blenheim, 637mcg, a third or subsequent charge, sentenced to six months' community detention, 200 hours' community work, nine months' supervision and disqualified for 18 months.

- The Marlborough Express

Last updated 16:00 31/01/2012

Man broke into aunt's bar

A district court judge said the burglary of a Blenheim bar was "particularly hurtful" to the owner because it was her nephew who broke in.

Judge Stephen Harrop made the comment when he sentenced Zane Russel Greer, 26, for the burglary and an unrelated assault on a woman, in Blenheim District Court yesterday.

Greer, from Blenheim, was sentenced to six months community detention, 12 months intensive supervision and 150 hours community work.

Judge Harrop said Greer had no recollection of the burglary but police said he used a small piece of concrete to break the glass in the front door of Scotch Wine Bar on November 5 to get inside but was unsuccessful.

He then went to the back of the building and forced open the door where he removed beer and meat but was disturbed by a passing security vehicle.

He left the items inside. Judge Harrop said Greer had been in custody on unrelated charges since November which was equivalent to about four months prison. He had already been punished "quite significantly" because of his time in custody and the final sentence reflected that, he said.

He did not order reparation because it was "something that should be resolved within the family". The Marlborough Express

Mum admits assaulting officer twice

A Picton mother admitted assaulting the same police officer on two different occasions including one incident in which she bit him, causing the skin to break, police say.

Teresa Denise Siggelkow, 33, admitted two charges of assaulting police, resisting police and disorderly behaviour when she appeared in the Blenheim District Court yesterday.

She was granted bail until sentencing on March 26.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Graham Single said police were told about a woman walking drunk along Waikawa Rd about 6pm on July 28 last year.

Police found her "staggering" along the footpath with a young child in a pushchair.

She began yelling and swearing at police when they tried to speak to her and began swinging her arms about, causing the pushchair to roll toward the road.

After being told she was under arrest she continued to yell and swear and tried to break free from custody. During the struggle Siggelkow punched one of the officers twice in the forearm and bit him, breaking the skin which later needed medical treatment.

About 5.40pm on January 21, Siggelkow was drinking on the Picton foreshore in breach of her bail conditions.

She was approached by police officers and went back with them to the police car.

On the way to the Blenheim police station she tried to open the car door, but when she could not open it began punching the window.

The constable, who was sitting in the back seat, tried to restrain her but was punched on the side of the face.

He then tried to restrain her by pushing her against the car, but she continued to punch him, aiming for his head and face.

Took money from grandmother

A Picton teenager will undertake restorative justice with her grandmother after admitting using the older woman's Eftpos card to withdraw more than $600.

Tayla Leigh Procter, 17, admitted using a document for pecuniary advantage and resisting police when she appeared in the Blenheim District Court yesterday.

She was released on bail and will return to court on March 19.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Graham Single said Procter had lived with her grandmother on and off for about two years.

On December 5 she was visiting her grandmother when she took her grandmother's bank card, used it at an ATM in Picton to withdraw $660, then returned it.

She told police she used the money for a tenancy bond.

Defence counsel Rob Harrison asked for an adjournment for restorative justice.

Lookout sentenced

A Blenheim teenager who acted as a lookout during car break-ins in Redwoodtown has been ordered to pay his share of reparation for the stolen items.

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Samuel Benjamin Rozee, 19, unemployed, was also sentenced to four months community detention and 12 months intensive supervision after previously admitting five theft charges. He also admitted breaching community work.

Rozee was ordered to pay $283.10 which was one-third of the total reparation.

Judge Stephen Harrop said police searched Rozee's home where he lived with two other associates and found multiple items which had been stolen from cars.

Rozee admitted being part of five break-ins in the Redwoodtown and Witherlea area between October 28 and 31 last year.

He acted as a lookout and also admitted hiding some of the items which included a wallet, car stereos and a cellphone at his home.

Judge Harrop said Rozee had a limited criminal history and referred to a probation report which said Rozee wanted money for alcohol and drugs.

Defence counsel Bryony Millar said Rozee's behaviour was unacceptable and needed to change.

Remand on sex charge

A 27-year-old Blenheim man has been remanded without plea after being charged with having a sexual connection with a girl under 12.

Jeremy Paul Newport was granted bail when he appeared in the Blenheim District Court yesterday before Judge Stephen Harrop.

He will reappear in court on February 20.

Name suppression for indecent assault charge

Interim name suppression was given to a 79-year-old Picton man charged with indecently assaulting a girl under 12.

The retired man was remanded on bail without plea on two charges of indecent assault when he appeared in the Blenheim District Court yesterday.

He will reappear on February 13.

Charge sheets show the alleged offending occurred between June and December 2010.

Other cases:

Kevin Cooney, 18, a fisheries worker of Waikawa, admitted sustained loss of traction and was fined $450, court costs and disqualified for six months.

Jordy Alexander Taylor, 19, a labourer of Blenheim, admitted assault and was granted bail for restorative justice.

He will reappear in court on March 12.

Kathryn Lillian Aldridge, 55, of Bay of Many Coves, admitted wilful trespass at Farmers, Blenheim, and was given a six month suspended sentence.

Amanda Jane Marlow, 45, unemployed of Omaka, admitted shoplifting and will be sentenced on March 19.

David McDonald, 22, of Blenheim, admitted theft and was ordered to complete 125 hours' community work.

- The Marlborough Express

Last updated 11:30 31/01/2012

Chris covers all the musical bases

With his bushy beard, long hair and heavy metal band T-shirt, Nelson man Chris Whitnell looks like he would be more at home at a rock concert than a country music awards show.

The 26-year-old was in Blenheim at the weekend to compete in the 21st annual Gourmet Paradise Country Music Awards at the FloorPride Civic Theatre.

About 55 performers from around the South Island converged on Blenheim to compete in the awards. There were no entries from the North Island his year.

Between performances on Sunday, Mr Whitnell changed out of his white shirt and black waistcoat and into a worn black Trivium T-shirt.

The 19-year veteran of the country music scene said he was used to people taking second glances at awards shows, especially when he had piercings in his early 20s. "It's not the country music look."

Mr Whitnell grew up on country music, but as he got older his musical interests expanded, and he now listens to everything from country to jazz, rock and death metal. Performing was a good way to meet other people and make friends, he said.

His focus was on performing in groups, but he entered individual categories because "you might as well enter everything".

Over the years, he had won a few awards as a junior and intermediate individual competitor, but the senior category was more competitive, he said. He was not bothered if he won or lost, because he enjoyed performing.

Mr Whitnell entered the open vocal group category with the B Sharps as well as his individual entries in senior male country gospel, senior male country rock, traditional and the senior open category.

At the end of last night's concert, Jane Evans, from Dunedin, emerged as the overall winner after taking out the senior female country gospel section. The overall runner-up was Luke Connor, from Nelson.

More photos: page 5

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 06:46 24/01/2012

Bach burglary in 2009 admitted

A Havelock dairy farm worker has admitted burgling a Kenepuru bach more than two years ago.

Shaun Thomas Redman, 21, and two others lit a fire, drank alcohol and ate food in the bach which they had walked to after their car broke down on Kenepuru Rd between May and October 2009, the Blenheim District Court heard yesterday.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Graeme Eden said the group walked about 1 kilometre to the bach and also took items valued at $1375.

Defence counsel Kent Arnott said Redman did not remember much of the burglary because police had spoken to him about it only recently.

Redman had a limited criminal history, he said.

Judge David McKegg said the actions were "a stupid thing to do" and did not know how Redman could not remember the burglary.

"Unless you make a habit of it, it should be clear in your mind what happened."

He fined Redman $300, plus $485 reparation and court costs.

Bail for burglary

A drunk teenager who climbed through a partially open window of a Blenheim home and stole a Playstation 2, laptop, car and backpack on January 22 has been granted bail in the Blenheim District Court.

Shian Joseph King, 18, labourer of Blenheim, admitted the burglary when he appeared in court yesterday.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Graeme Eden said King had been drinking when he was on Snowden Cres about 6am.

He walked up to the victim's house and knocked on the door.

When there was no answer he went around the back and climbed through the window.

After putting the Playstation and laptop into the backpack he took two sets of keys and drove the victim's car back to his house, Mr Eden said.

King will be sentenced on March 12.

Denied bail

A man accused of demanding money from two tourists was denied bail in the Blenheim District Court yesterday.

Jamie Ngatata Love, 35, has entered no pleas to demanding money with intent to steal, possessing a knife in a public place and possessing prescription medicine without excuse.

Love applied for bail, but was denied by Judge David McKegg.

He was returned to custody until his next appearance on February 7.

Charge sheets show Love being of no fixed abode.

Cannabis cultivation

Steven Ben Bullen, 28, a slaughterer of Blenheim, admitted cultivating cannabis and possessing equipment to smoke cannabis and was fined $250 and court costs.

Cee Jay Miria Joyce, 18, of Blenheim, admitted unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle and was sentenced to 120 hours community work.

Nicki Marie Phipps, 19, unemployed of Blenheim, admitted unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle and was sentenced to 120 hours community work.

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Robyn Maria Ford, 44, a sickness beneficiary, admitted two charges of theft from ANZ Bank and was sentenced to 60 hours community work and ordered to pay $80 reparation.

Three teenagers admitted obtaining by deception after failing to pay their taxi fare.

Andrew Peter Cummins, 17, unemployed of Blenheim, Bradley Dickson, 18, a vineyard worker of Blenheim, and Kevin Graham Ward-Watson, a labourer of Spring Creek, were jointly charged.

They were each fined $100, court costs and ordered to pay $4.30 reparation.

Zachariah Donald Barr, 21, unemployed of Blenheim, admitted fighting in public, possession of cannabis, breaching community work and breaching supervision and was convicted and discharged.

Julio Joe Vele, 18, unemployed of Blenheim, admitted wilful damage and was sentenced to 40 hours community work and told to pay $150 reparation.

Jesse Wayne Barnes, 20, unemployed of Blenheim, admitted stealing petrol and breaching community work and was remanded in custody until sentencing on February 20.

- The Marlborough Express Last updated 07:29 24/01/2012

Blokes-in-kindy challenge

Marlborough's only male kindergarten teacher is encouraging other men to "throw the stigma out the window" and join the profession.

Michael Clark, the head teacher at Springlands Kindergarten, said he wanted men to forget about what people might think about them being in early childhood education.

"If it's something you really want to do and something you're keen on, get off your rear and go do it."

Male kindergarten teachers make up only 1.7 per cent of the country's teachers.

Mr Clark is the only male kindergarten teacher in the region, although there is another male teacher working at a play centre.

He said he was more rough and tumble, more forgiving and also louder than his female counterparts.

Mr Clark started at Springlands Kindergarten in term 2 last year and before that was a teacher at Renwick Kindergarten for two years.

Children needed more males as role models in their early education to show them they could choose careers that did not necessarily fit their gender, he said.

Male teachers also brought a different perspective to the table, he said.

"There's a lot of talk about how boys learn and how best to teach boys because, in a profession dominated by women, they don't understand how boys work."

Some people were a bit wary about men working with children at first, he said.

"Historically there have been times where there've been anti-man sentiments when working with kids."

Clark first trained as a primary school teacher before later training as a kindergarten teacher at Massey University.

During that time he was required to do placements at different kindergartens.

"Sometimes you'd turn up for a four-week placement and at the start you'd get that `Ah, yeah, oh, a guy – right'."

Once teachers and parents knew he was married and had young children of his own, they became more comfortable with him as a kindergarten teacher, he said.

Becoming a kindergarten teacher needed to be seen as a viable career option for male school-leavers, he said.

Men needed to have the self-confidence and resilience to "buck the trend" and become kindergarten teachers if they wanted to.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 15:12 24/01/2012

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Men's work: Springlands Kindergarten head teacher Michael Clark wants to encourage other men to become kindergarten teachers and forget about what people think.

Angela #39 04:40 pm Jan 24 2012

My son had a male kindy teacher and he was absolutely brilliant!

John #38 04:33 pm Jan 24 2012

My father was a teacher, and a dmn good one, and I had tought of going into the same profession, but the hysteria and fear, and the risk of an angry kid making a false alegation and you career is done, and ask Peter Ellis if his time in jail was fun. No thanks.

Not hysterical, just careful #37 04:32 pm Jan 24 2012

With good systems in place,men have nothing to fear from working with children.Other teachers especially need to take resposibility for ensuring children are safe.As a parent whose kid was taught by a teacher that spent 17 years abusing children,we need to accept that some people are attracted to teaching precisely for the opportunities to abuse.Parents who expressed concerns about this guy were told they were hysterical, PC, feminist claptrap, you namne it, and that he was "the best teacher in the school".Even after he was tried and convicted, truly deluded ex-colleagues of this criminal were publicly saying he was a good teacher. This was especially galling for the victims. And coryllus #2 - lets not minimise the harm done to these children.

Correction #36 04:22 pm Jan 24 2012

Its not men that have the stigma it is society as a whole. You cant tell me as a parent you havent secound thought motivations of a male working in the childcare industry?

Early childhood education needs to be accepted as a place for woman AND men, some children need a positive male role model in their lives.

Keep up the good work Kindyman

D #35 04:22 pm Jan 24 2012

I hope more men DO go and work in early childcare - I worked there myself for a while, and it's SUCH a female dominated world!

I have two sons, and they're lucky enough to have their Dad home with them all the time.

The best way for boys to become good men, is for good men to show them how.

Dr Kindy #34 04:19 pm Jan 24 2012

Yep - sorry to be so negative but - it will be all well and good until the first accusation of inappropriate behaviour and then all male kindy teachers will be tarred with the same brush.

Even the comment in the article "once they knew he was married and had children of his own"; I read into this that the view is that a single male with no kids is (obviously) a child molester. So no young guys can pick this as a career then?

You really have to cut out the over-the-top reactions and suspicions before this will become a reality.

Alice #33 04:13 pm Jan 24 2012

coryllus #2 I couldn't agree more, kids need positive male role models, especially with so many single parent households but what man would take the risk! Clearly Mr Clark may not recall poor Mr Ellis but it is a risky position for men with the automatic assumption of guilt if one mother over-reacts, and heaven forfend he might be a single man! Not a chance, he'd be driven out. Ridiculous and absurd but true, we are still playing witch hunter about men working with kids.

Andrew #32 04:09 pm Jan 24 2012

The irony is that although predators exist and do great amounts of damage in the lives of their victims, hysterical mothers and fear-mongering women have done just as much damage by seeing perversion where there is none and levelling false allegations at innocent men. Male role-models are just as important as female role-models, but I suspect the stigma that exists against males in this context has as much to do with reluctance to be looked at sideways by people who love to see corruption wherever they look. I love children and am a proud uncle, but find myself nervous when a child approaches, talks or engages with me in a public context. There is always a paranoid mother nearby who assumes that every stranger is a paedophile.

Madeleine Hurricks #31 04:09 pm Jan 24 2012

Well done for speaking out.

JD #30 04:03 pm Jan 24 2012

People are neither rational nor reasonable in regards to the well-being their children, a well known and exploited phenomenon when people want to circumvent logical debate on an issue.

Considering the attitudes I have experienced while looking after my own children, and the guilty-until-proven-innocent attitude faced by men regarding this kind of crime, means I would not consider having that sort of risk exposure to other peoples children without pervasive video recording evidence and a full time witness.

PuddingPuff #29 03:54 pm Jan 24 2012

I think it would be great to have more guys in it. My daughter just turned 1 and I'm about to update my skills for 6 months to continue working from home and am about to look for a daycare that's not just females i had hoped (haven't noticed it was all females) as she likes strong people holding her to chestt height. I don't like unqualified and those under a certain age for her care so I'm guessing it'll be hard. No father cuddles? You must come from a very diff type of family as my partner is always giving hugs kisses singing and even kissing her fav teddys that she puts in your face. I know she would very much love both genders in her care.

imo #28 03:53 pm Jan 24 2012

When my son was younger (nearly 20 years ago!!) I chose the Childcare Centre he went to because there WAS a male working there. There are kids who have no positive male role models, mine son being one of those, and that to me was hugely important! Male early childhood teachers are a HUGE asset!

And as for the other Daddy Daycares, I have a number of friends with at-home dads. It is becoming more and more common yet not necessariuly more accepted. I was horrrified by a friend telling me that her daughters friends weren't allowed over to play after school if she wasn't home.

Miguel #27 03:50 pm Jan 24 2012

Coryllus #2 is right, alot of males (myself included) still live with the fear that the hysteria of the early 90's created when dealing with kids. Even today the ads on TV are about males abusing their partners and kids. We need to get a positive message out there about the benifits of a male role model

Big Deal #26 03:47 pm Jan 24 2012

My brother is a Kindy teacher... What is the big deal with this guy?

scooter #25 03:44 pm Jan 24 2012

@coryllus #2

Exactly. And no one wants to be the next Peter Ellis and subject of a fabricated witch-hunt

Dave #24 03:43 pm Jan 24 2012

My son has a male teacher at his day care and I think it is one of the best things that has happened in his pre-schooling. All of the kids love the guy and he is brilliant with them. They all seem to gravitate to him and he provides a sound balance with the children. Sadly the whole Peter Ellis affair still lingers over this country and it's early childhood teaching participation from a males point of view. It will last a little longer but it is great to see guys biting the bullet and entering in the environment. Congratulations Michael and I hope all goes well.

Alan Wilkinson #23 03:38 pm Jan 24 2012

coryllus #1 is on the money. The persecution of Peter Ellis and the entire staff of the Christchurch Civic Creche by utterly incompetent and in some cases bigoted professionals has had a ghastly, chilling impact on generations of children and men.

DFB #22 03:38 pm Jan 24 2012

Nothing to do with stigma, it's to do with the discriminatory women who assume a man who wants to play with kids is a pervert.

you made your bed ladies, lie in it

Dad of 3 #21 03:37 pm Jan 24 2012

I have a mate who teaches at High School - young guy with 2 little ones - and he is always vigilant to not be put in a situation that could cause false accusations. Its not in the back of the mind, its in the front everyday.

My 3 children all went to pre-school, all female teachers, and I had the same experience as Daddy Daycare...the kids just craved the attention, my 3 wondered what all the fuss was about LOL.

Its a pity isn't it that for male teachers to be accepted they have to present as husbands and fathers...with people not marrying so young these days and having children later I can understand why male school leavers wouldn't think of becoming a pre-school teacher.

Elesie #20 03:37 pm Jan 24 2012

Good on Michael! I am a primary teacher and whole heartedly agree we need more guys in early childhood and early primary years. One of our Intermediate male teachers spent a good bit of time working alongside me in my junior class and he was wonderful with them and they really responded to him too. Such a shame there is the stigma because of our recent past.

JK #19 03:36 pm Jan 24 2012

Go the blokes!!!

Not a woman #18 03:35 pm Jan 24 2012

Thats the problem with this country...too many women teaching! No wonder our kids are all little wooses

RobW #17 03:33 pm Jan 24 2012

I'm all for this. The more males that are involved in the classroom from an early age, the better. However, it's just too dangerous these days. One slip of the tongue from a kid or one telling off that the kid responds badly to and that teacher has his career curtailed for life. Too many people will respond with 'well there's no smoke without fire' in those circumstances. I've always wanted to be a teacher, particularly for kids between the ages of about 5-9. And everyone I know in the profession says I'd be great at it. But I just can't risk it anymore. It's not a like of male pride thing, it's a lack of wanting my life ruined thing.

mandas #16 03:32 pm Jan 24 2012

My son has an older male teacher at his daycare and I think its great and very refreshing to have a male in a workplace that is often dominated by women. Its a shame that a few low lives have ruined the profession for alot of males who would make fantastic early childhood teachers.

Margaret Davidson #15 03:32 pm Jan 24 2012

I was a kindergarten teacher and graduated to head teacher - and worked for 14yrs in early childhood. My experience with male staff was most welcoming and I chose male applicants many times-excellent at reacting with children in activities in an expressive and fun way. I was teaching when a lot of calls were made of abuse -I have never felt this was of any way possible as there are always more than one adult and parents come and go to the centres which are open plan buildings. Spinglands Kindergarten are lucky to have male teachers and yes they should be encouraged to take up a career in this field.

Steve #14 03:31 pm Jan 24 2012

Hopefully we're finally at a stage where the PC brigade can shut their yaps and let the teachers teach.

Jubes #13 03:30 pm Jan 24 2012

My boys' pre-school had a male student teacher for a time; the kids just gravitated to him & his manner and approach in dealing with both boys and girls at pre-school was a wonder to behold. There is something about a male authority that the kids really do respond to. Because of the stigma around male pre-school teachers, a friend of ours has shied away from that career path although he would be an absolute star in the role. More male pre-school teachers please!

chris #12 03:29 pm Jan 24 2012

"Once teachers and parents knew he was married and had young children of his own, they became more comfortable with him as a kindergarten teacher, he said."... says it all, really.

Jimmy #11 03:27 pm Jan 24 2012

Hug a kid or take her to the toilet and you set yourself up for accusations of child abuse. It is such a sad fact of life that males have to live in fear of being perceived "kiddy fiddlers" We only have women (some) to blame for that.

I would happily drop of my 2 young daughters and my son (all under 5) to a Kindy run only by a group of males. In fact if such a place existed I would drive out of my way to drop my kids off there.

How do we change this?

Colin #10 03:27 pm Jan 24 2012

I echo the sentiments of Daddy Daycare #1

I spent a day at Kindergarten with my daughter and was always surrounded by a group of little boys. We built volcanoes out of sand and pumped water into them with a hose causing eruptions, we played ball games, had a great time. These little boys were calling out for some male attention and "boys games" which they probably didn't get much of so I think it's a great idea to have more male teachers at all levels.

My eldest daughter has also had two male teachers at primary school and I think this has been really good for her, as well as doubtless the boys in the class.

Ideally you'd have both male and female teachers in all kindys and primary schools.

Colin #9 03:25 pm Jan 24 2012

Note that Mr Clark is married with children, which he admits helped him be accepted. This won't apply to most school leavers so it is going to take a huge shift in attitude before we have younger male teachers in primary and pre-primary.

Kazza #8 03:25 pm Jan 24 2012

Would definitely echo the need for more male kindy & primary teachers. They do bring a different perspective to teaching and I think boys particularly benefit from strongmale role models. Some years back my sons kindy had a male teacher for a number of months and it definitely benefited the kids. Sometimes I wonder if the not so good pay puts off men more than women, as they still tend to be the main earner in a lot of families.

eve #7 03:25 pm Jan 24 2012

our kids need more males in kindy and primary schools!!!good on you mr clark !!!!!!

Slartibartfast #6 03:24 pm Jan 24 2012

The world needs more blokes like this chap. Many more.

Katy #5 03:23 pm Jan 24 2012

My kids had a male teacher at their preschool, he was awesome and the kids really enjoyed him. Unfortunately there are no male teachers at their primary school now.

I'd love to see more guys train as primary or kindy teachers.

PollyA #4 03:21 pm Jan 24 2012

My younger son was fortunate to have a male kindy teacher. He thoroughly enjoyed the rough and tumble and male perspective during his time there. Kindy teachers of both genders do a fantastic job but it is better when there is a mix of teachers. Both the boys and girls benefit!

Captain Obvious #3 03:17 pm Jan 24 2012

No male in his right mind should ever go into childhood education. One vindictive comment or false accusation and boom, life destroyed. It's not worth it.

coryllus #2 01:36 pm Jan 24 2012

Michael Clark is perhaps too young to remember why there are no male kindy teachers - or indeed why there is a shortage of male primary teachers. What he claims is perfectly true. Kids do need male role models. Just as they need cuddles and comfort and don't get these either from males these days - even from their own fathers, because of the hysteria about sexual abuse. Having worked in this area myself, I saw more harm come from the hysteria and from false accusations than from the actual abuse itself - and that's saying something! I was never able to decide whether I felt more anger at the true abusers who cause the trouble in the first place, or the panic stricken mothers who interpreted the most normal behaviour as abuse and caused mayhem as a result. The destruction of lives was and is horrendous. I believe the hysteria is abating - but it will be a long time before men will feel safe working with children.

Daddy Daycare #1 12:28 pm Jan 24 2012

When my daughter started in kindy I sat in for a couple of sessions to get an idea of how the place operates and how my girl might take to it. I was amazed by the kids reaction to having a guy around the place; I spent most of the time with a small crowd around me competing for my attention to chat, show me things they made etc. I don't think you can put a value on having positive male role models in environments such as this.. Good on you Kindyman!