Priorities and teaching core subjects creatively
On the ODT front page (24.11.25) there was a comment by a retiring teacher that she and other principals are struggling to implement curriculum change in mathematics and English, and have limited classroom time to teach them.
Her statement was they were asked to teach "surface level regurgitation of knowledge".
Teachers should already be capable of teaching mathematics and English using creative and motivating methods to deeper than surface level knowledge within a time allocated.
Using practical application when teaching these subjects, students can have the joy and satisfaction of learning.
If a transition to teaching these core subjects that will gain students access to higher education and employment is going to stress principals and teachers. then what priority, standard and time have they been giving these subjects until now?
Teaching subjects to a high standard in a time allocated should not detract from having camps, sport and assemblies. Schools in the past were able to accommodate all these activities without detriment to students’ learning.
A continuing discussion
Thank you Judy Layland (22.11.25) for responding to my letter (19.11.25) because hopefully it will allow more discussion on this important matter.
Ms Layland is obviously a supporter of compulsory Treaty teaching in schools but why in a democratic country should such teaching be compulsory?
Ms Layland puts down today’s parents who she claims were not exposed to teaching on the history of New Zealand and Māori matters including the Treaty and are therefore not qualified to have the final say on what is taught to their children. Most parents today have been taught about these matters.
The claim that the Treaty is an integral part of our past, present and future needs clarification.
What Treaty is being referred to? I suspect it is the Treaty reinvented by the Waitangi Tribunal in the 1970s with its principles etc, but how could the Treaty be renegotiated when one party, the British Crown, was not represented?
This new Treaty never received a voters mandate. Many who respect the original Treaty of 1840 do not accept this modern revision.
I agree with Ms Layland that the aim should be all New Zealanders respecting and working with and alongside each other: the Treaty is not necessary for this. What is needed is common sense and a belief in upholding dignity, fairness and justice.
The current government is to be congratulated for reining in this headlong rush down the path advocated by Judy Layland.
Anthemic matters
Re "Anthem composer’s villa for sale (ODT 12.11.25). The current anthem did not become official until 1977. In 1940 it was officially called the New Zealand Hymn. Some say National Song.
Prior to that date the words as written by Thomas Bracken (stated in the article), were composed to music by John Joseph Woods of Lawrence, (also stated) in 1876. Both were of Irish heritage.
Woods was a long-serving town clerk for the Tuapeka County Council as well as a school teacher. He died in 1934 and is buried in the Lawrence cemetery.
A further connection of Bracken with Dunedin was for a number of years in his later life he was living here. He is buried in the Dunedin Northern Cemetery.
Have yourself a merry little ministerial Christmas
Many ministers need a Christmas gift so here are some suggestions.
For the Minister of Workplace: a photograph album which includes all relevant pictures — the amputated limbs, the unguarded machinery, and the records of previous incidents. Also copies of coroners’ reports on workplace injuries and deaths and the costs incurred by ACC.
For the Minister of Health: a course on reading widely, so that he balances the work experience of doctors and nurses against the misleading statements issued by the Ministry of Health.
The Minister of Education: New Zealand fiction, non-fiction and poetry.
For the Minister who allowed a cut in funding to Lifeline. They would really enjoy a mobile phone which never stops ringing and cannot be turned off.
For the Minister of Customs: a copy of the Australian anti-vaping laws and the research which underpinned it.
For multi-Minister Shane Jones: a knife and fork so he can eat his 2010 words against allowing extended mining activity.
Two New Year resolutions for all Cabinet ministers: we will display compassion and empathy; and we will abandon the use of weasel words.
Address Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin. Email: letters@odt.co.nz
