Alarm bells are beginning to ring as we observe the academic standards of our youth falling behind the rest of the world, even countries like impoverished Kazakhstan.
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Australia has been pouring increasing amounts into education, far more than top performing countries like Hong Kong, Korea and Singapore.
Quality education doesn’t come necessarily from increased dollars, but more from quality teaching, teaching that includes the three R’s building strong skills in numeracy and literacy, also teaching that builds skills and values befitting the transition from student into the big world they face post school.
Schools are not the sole educators, so much must come from the home, often, sadly, this is where the education of many young people breaks down. Home does not help provide an example promoting values necessary to take young people forward.
All involved in the education of our young, be it home or school, sport or leisure, could learn from an old Indian’s advice:
An old Cherokee told his grandson, “My son, there is a battle between two wolves inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, jealousy, greed, resentment, inferiority, lies and ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, humility, kindness, empathy and truth.”
The boy thought about it, and asked, “Grandfather, which wolf wins?”
The old man quietly replied, “The one you feed.”
WITS
Maybe some of our drug taking, boozy sporting heroes who seem to hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons could heed the old Indian’s advice!
WITS
I met former resident and often visitor David Weeden the other day. David’s family lived in the flat above what operates today as The Pantry on Pudman. Earlier they lived in Wentworth House (corner Brial and Court Streets) from 1926 – 39, moving into the Pudman Street property where they remained until leaving in 1960.
Interestingly, David is the Great Great Great Grandson of Anna Marsden Hassall from whom, David tells me, our main street got its name. I wonder if any of our historians will comment on that?
WITS
I was impressed with the effort being put in by Hilltops Council to inform the residents of basically, where Council’s money comes from and where it will be spent.
The forum at Boorowa held Monday May 8 drew a fairly good role up with about 50 in attendance. I believe the turnout at Young was low, and, surprisingly, so was the turnout at Harden.
Hilltops Council and Interim General Manager Anthony McMahon deserve congratulations on the information on display and contained in Anthony’s presentation and response to questions from the floor.
The whole scenario had a distinct ‘Hilltops flavour’ and the concept of us and them was not at all apparent.
WITS
The current administrative regime moving Hilltops into the future does need to focus on ways to attract candidates for the September election that are positive thinkers adopting entirely the concept this is Hilltops Council.
I feel there is no room for negativity in our candidates. We don’t need people elected trying to reverse the irreversible. We need candidates with the vision to grow the future.
“There are no guarantees or crystal balls for the future, and there’s no absolute way to know if you are or aren’t making the right decision. Give tomorrow the best possible chance you can.” (Kenneth Dino)