Last weekend we went and checked out the Chinese Lantern Festival. It’s a highlight in our Auckland calendar and one of the most magical events of the year. With thousands of pretty lanterns, Over 100 food stalls and a variety of entertainment, it is…
Author: Principally Mused
The Truth As It Relates to Cattle
The wisdom of the universe has an interesting habit of turning up in the strangest of places. When I look at the above joke (cheers to whomever it was that emailed it to me originally – I am sure at the time it served as a wee pick me up – given the trials and…
Professional Neglect – What are the safeguards for vulnerable children neglected by the system?
Today I read an article that disappointed me. The headline read “Boy 8, who hanged himself, ‘let down’ by Social Services”. A young man, Rexford, hung himself in 2008, and the findings from the inquest are enough to break your heart. He was only 8. In his short time in our world, he had…
The Big Gay Out
Coyle Park looking towards Auckland City and the Sky Tower On Sunday we went to the Big Gay Out. It was our first time visiting this annual Auckland Festival, and it was fabulous! The Festival was held at Point Chevalier’s Coyle Park. This was the 15th year the festival has been run, with an estimated 15,000…
Waitangi Day – New Zealand’s Day!
The FlagPole at the Treaty Grounds Today is Waitangi day. Waitangi Day is held every year on the 6th of February, and it is New Zealand’s National holiday to celebrate the signing of the Treaty, back in 1840. The Treaty is considered NZ’s founding document, much like the Declaration of Independence. With that in mind,…
Avondale Market
Avondale Market Avondale Market, held each Sunday at the Avondale Racecourse, is fabulous. It is especially famtastic for fresh fruit and vegetables that are cheap, seasonal and all round great value! It’s an eclectic place, chocca…
Greenerrella and the Two Mean Min-is-Sisters
WARNING: This is satire – if you are allergic to satire please switch eyes off now. Once upon time, in the Land of the Long White Cloud, a young woman worked hard campaigning for the rights of those less fortunate than herself, and earnt herself a place within the countries Governing Palace. She belonged to…
Brain Development – The importance of the First 3 Years – Part One
Part One: In the last few days I have participated in a workshop on Brain Development and the Implications for Education. Presented by a talented good friend of mine, it is a presentation I have heard a few times over the last 5 or so years. Each time I hear it – particularly the basic…
What Teachers Really Want…
One of the concerns I always have with Government Policy, is that most often, it is designed by those who don’t work in the profession, and oftentimes, it is driven by forces that are so far away from the current realities of a classroom and the day to…
The Devil is in the Details…
Let me begin by making it very clear that I support more money into the Vote Education budget, and on the surface of it, I like the idea of recognizing leadership and best practice, and I am an advocate of supporting those schools/teachers/principals who need…