Women bring the following positive attributes to leadership roles:

1. Women are all seeing, all knowing and able to join in and contribute to several conversations at once.
2. Women are aware: They have 360 degree vision. 
3. Women have clear goal orientation and crystal-like focus.
4. Women cut to the chase and don’t dither around the edges of issues.
]5. Women are careful synthesisers and succinct summarisers of situations.
]6. Women are adept at timetabling and planning; they are meticulous plan followers.
]7. Women have awareness.
]8. Women show empathy to those who are under the pump.
9. Women excel in engaging others in planning and organisation.
10. Women have excellent leadership and participative perspective. They are both on the organisational balcony with all-encompassing vision and on the dance floor with and among those engaged with endeavour.
11. Women make an extraordinary contribution in going forward.
12. Women contribute proactively to staff endeavour and leadership balance within macro (and micro) management of systems. 

Should parents handball the responsibility for the bringing up of their children to schools and teachers?

AI Response

No, parents should not hand over the responsibility of raising their children entirely to schools and teachers. While schools and educators play a crucial role in a child’s development, education, and socialization, parenting is a fundamental responsibility that encompasses much more than academic learning.

Here are a few reasons why parental involvement is essential:

1. **Emotional Support**: Parents provide emotional guidance and support that is critical for a child’s well-being. They help children develop self-esteem, resilience, and coping skills.

2. **Values and Morals**: Parents are typically the primary source of a child’s values, beliefs, and moral framework. This foundational aspect of upbringing is best taught at home.

3. **Life Skills**: Parents teach practical life skills, such as communication, problem-solving, and responsibility, which are essential for a child’s overall development.

4. **Individual Attention**: Parents can offer personalized attention and support that schools may not be able to provide due to larger class sizes and diverse student needs.

5. **Collaboration with Schools**: A strong partnership between parents and schools enhances a child’s educational experience. When parents are involved, children tend to perform better academically and socially.

6. **Cultural and Family Heritage**: Parents pass down cultural traditions, languages, and family history, which are important for a child’s identity and sense of belonging.

In summary, while schools and teachers are vital in educating children, the responsibility of raising and nurturing children is a shared one, with parents playing a crucial and irreplaceable role.

What do you think?

Should parents of underage children be held responsible for their criminal and antisocial conduct?

The question of whether parents of underage children should be held responsible for their children’s criminal and antisocial conduct is complex and involves various factors, including legal, ethical, and social considerations.

### Arguments for Parental Responsibility:

1. **Influence and Guidance**: Parents play a crucial role in shaping their children’s values, behavior, and decision-making skills. If a child engages in criminal behavior, it may reflect a failure in parental guidance or supervision.

2. **Deterrence**: Holding parents accountable could serve as a deterrent, encouraging them to be more involved in their children’s lives and to instill better values and behaviors.

3. **Support and Intervention**: In some cases, parental responsibility can lead to interventions that address underlying issues within the family, potentially preventing future delinquency.

4. **Legal Precedents**: Some jurisdictions have laws that hold parents liable for their children’s actions, particularly in cases of vandalism or other property crimes.

### Arguments Against Parental Responsibility:

1. **Individual Accountability**: Children, especially as they grow older, should be held accountable for their own actions. Criminal behavior is ultimately a choice made by the individual, and they should face the consequences.

2. **Circumstantial Factors**: Many factors contribute to a child’s behavior, including peer influence, mental health issues, and socioeconomic conditions. Blaming parents may overlook these complexities.

3. **Unfair Burden**: Holding parents responsible can be unfair, especially if they are doing their best to raise their children in difficult circumstances. It may also lead to further stigmatization of families in crisis.

4. **Potential for Negative Outcomes**: Punishing parents could lead to negative outcomes for the family, such as increased stress, financial strain, or even the removal of children from their homes, which may not be in the best interest of the child.

### Conclusion:

Ultimately, the question of parental responsibility for a child’s criminal behavior is nuanced. A balanced approach that considers the role of parents, the individual circumstances of each case, and the need for accountability may be the most effective way to address this issue. Solutions could include supportive measures for families, educational programs, and community resources, rather than solely punitive measures.

What you you think.

Does Donald Trump bring great blessings to America?

Opinions on Donald Trump’s impact on America vary widely and are often deeply polarized.

Supporters argue that he brought blessings such as:

1. **Economic Growth**: Many supporters credit Trump with strong economic performance during his presidency, including low unemployment rates and stock market gains prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2. **Tax Cuts**: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 is seen by supporters as a significant achievement that lowered taxes for individuals and businesses.

3. **Judicial Appointments**: Trump appointed three Supreme Court justices and numerous federal judges, which supporters believe will have a long-lasting impact on the judiciary.

4. **Foreign Policy**: Some supporters highlight his administration’s efforts to negotiate peace agreements in the Middle East and a more confrontational stance towards China.

5. **Regulatory Reform**: Trump focused on reducing regulations, which supporters argue helped businesses and economic growth.

On the other hand, critics argue that his presidency brought significant challenges, including:

1. **Division and Polarization**: Many believe Trump exacerbated political and social divisions in the country.

2. **Handling of COVID-19**: Critics point to his administration’s response to the pandemic as inadequate, leading to a high number of cases and deaths.

3. **Environmental Policies**: Some argue that his rollback of environmental regulations has had negative consequences for climate change and public health.

4. **International Relations**: Critics contend that his approach to foreign policy strained relationships with traditional allies.

5. **Impeachment and Legal Issues**: Trump’s presidency was marked by impeachment proceedings and ongoing legal challenges, which some believe have undermined trust in government.

Ultimately, whether Trump brings “great blessings” to America is subjective and depends on individual perspectives and values.

What do you think?

What percentage of Australian land, by state and territory, has been returned to Aboriginal people under Native title legislation?

As of my last update in October 2023, the percentage of land returned to Aboriginal people under Native Title legislation varies by state and territory in Australia. Here are some approximate figures based on available data:

1. **New South Wales**: Approximately 20% of the land area has been recognized under Native Title.

2. **Victoria**: Around 10% of the land area has been recognized under Native Title.

3. **Queensland**: Approximately 30% of the land area has been recognized under Native Title.

4. **Western Australia**: About 40% of the land area has been recognized under Native Title.

5. **South Australia**: Roughly 15% of the land area has been recognized under Native Title.

6. **Tasmania**: A small percentage, around 1-2%, has been recognized under Native Title.

7. **Northern Territory**: Approximately 50% of the land area has been recognized under Native Title.

8. **Australian Capital Territory**: Very little land, less than 1%, has been recognized under Native Title.

These figures are approximate and can change as new claims are made and resolved. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it is advisable to consult the latest reports from the National Native Title Tribunal or relevant state and territory land management agencies.

Billy Moir, retired school teacher and correspondent extraordinaire is an avid scribe regularly published – often several times each week – in the Northern Territory News, a daily with territory-wide readership.

His alertness and awareness of a myriad of issues leads to lively correspondence that is always on the money.

His interest in everything about life’s world has motivated him to write many hundreds of letters over the years.

May he live for a long time yet and never allow his pen to be stilled nor his letters flow staunched.

I am confused by the revelation that the drivers of motor vehicles are not infringing if drinking alcohol while driving – provided they are under the legal limit.

On the other hand, the use of a mobile phone while driving incurs an infringement if the driver is caught in the act.

There seems to be little logic in this situation and surely a correction is needed

If humans were limited to having only one character trait, what would it be?

If humans were limited to having only one character trait, it could be argued that empathy would be the most beneficial trait.

Empathy allows individuals to understand and share the feelings of others, fostering compassion, cooperation, and social harmony.

With empathy as the sole trait, people would likely prioritize the well-being of others, leading to a more supportive and cohesive society.

This trait could help mitigat conflicts, promote kindness, and encourage collaborative problem-solving, ultimately enhancing the quality of human interactions and relationships.

If there was only one positive value that could be pursued in life by people, what would it be?

AI responds

If there were only one positive value that could be pursued in life, it could be argued that it would be “compassion.”

Compassion encompasses empathy, kindness, and a genuine concern for the well-being of others. It fosters connection, understanding, and support among individuals and communities.

By prioritizing compassion, people can create a more harmonious and supportive society, addressing the needs of others while also enhancing their own sense of fulfillment and purpose.

Ultimately, compassion can lead to positive change, healing, and a deeper sense of belonging in the world.

Gala Day for the CLP on Monday September 16 

On Monday, the many  Electoral Office’s that have been deserted since Labour’s   resounding defeat, on August 24, will come to life. They will come to life with new members elected for the Country Liberal Party (CLP).

The doors,  with new members confirmed and installed will open in EVERY electorate in Darwin and its suburbs – for all sitting members were either not re-standing (Port Darwin and Wanguri) or were defeated (Karama, Sanderson, Johnson, Casuarina, Fannie Bay, Nightcliff). 

It was a clean sweep in. terms of out with Labor and in with the CLP, Independents and Greens.

AI responds

The assertion that attending school three days a week is “very good and sufficient” for Aboriginal children in the Northern Territory is a reflection of the challenges faced in the education system, particularly in remote and Indigenous communities. However, it is important to understand the context and implications of such a statement.

1. **Context of Attendance**: In many remote Aboriginal communities, school attendance rates have historically been lower than the national average. Factors contributing to this include socio-economic challenges, cultural differences, health issues, and geographical barriers. As a result, educational authorities may have set lower attendance benchmarks as a pragmatic response to these challenges.

2. **Educational Outcomes**: While attending school three days a week may be seen as an improvement over lower attendance rates, it is generally not considered sufficient for achieving optimal educational outcomes. Research shows that consistent and regular attendance is crucial for learning and development. Attending school only part-time can hinder students’ academic progress and social development.

3. **Policy and Improvement Efforts**: Educational policies and programs aimed at improving attendance and engagement among Aboriginal students often focus on increasing attendance rates and providing culturally relevant education. The goal is to encourage full-time attendance and support students in overcoming barriers to education.

4. **Broader Implications**: The idea that three days a week is “sufficient” can be problematic as it may inadvertently lower expectations for educational achievement. It is essential to strive for higher attendance rates and to address the underlying issues that contribute to absenteeism.

In summary, while the study may reflect a recognition of the challenges faced by Aboriginal students in the Northern Territory, the notion that attending school three days a week is sufficient does not align with the broader educational goals of ensuring that all students receive a quality education that prepares them for future opportunities. Efforts should continue to improve attendance and engagement among Aboriginal children in a way that respects their cultural context and addresses systemic barriers.

Are Aboriginal people in Australia deemed to be more important than non-aboriginal people?

AI’s response:

The question of whether Aboriginal people in Australia are deemed to be more important than non-Aboriginal people is complex and can vary depending on context, perspective, and the specific issues being discussed.

In Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have unique rights and cultural significance as the original inhabitants of the land. There is a growing recognition of the importance of acknowledging their history, culture, and rights, particularly in the context of reconciliation efforts, land rights, and self-determination. This recognition can sometimes lead to policies and initiatives that prioritize Aboriginal perspectives and needs, especially in areas such as education, health, and land management.

However, this does not mean that Aboriginal people are considered “more important” than non-Aboriginal people in a general sense. Rather, it reflects an effort to address historical injustices, systemic inequalities, and to promote equity and respect for Indigenous cultures.

The goal of these efforts is often to create a more just and equitable society where the rights and voices of Aboriginal peoples are respected and valued alongside those of non-Aboriginal Australians. The focus is on promoting understanding, reconciliation, and equality rather than establishing a hierarchy of importance.

In Australia, is the study and awareness of Aboriginal history and culture more important than the study of Australia since the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788?

AI’s response

The study and awareness of Aboriginal history and culture and the history of Australia since the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788 are both important, but they serve different purposes and highlight different aspects of Australia’s national identity and heritage.

1. **Aboriginal History and Culture**: Understanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture is crucial for several reasons:

   – **Recognition of Indigenous Rights**: It helps to acknowledge the rights and sovereignty of Indigenous peoples, who have lived on the land for tens of thousands of years.

   – **Cultural Heritage**: Aboriginal cultures are rich and diverse, with unique languages, traditions, and knowledge systems that contribute to Australia’s cultural landscape.

   – **Reconciliation**: Studying Aboriginal history is essential for reconciliation efforts, addressing historical injustices, and fostering mutual respect and understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

2. **Post-1788 History**: The history of Australia since the arrival of the First Fleet is also significant:

   – **Colonial Impact**: This period includes the impact of colonization on Indigenous peoples, including dispossession, violence, and cultural disruption, which is vital to understanding contemporary issues.

   – **Nation Building**: It encompasses the development of modern Australia, including its political, social, and economic evolution, and the contributions of various communities, including migrants.

   – **Contemporary Issues**: Understanding this history is essential for grasping current societal dynamics, including debates around identity, multiculturalism, and national values.

In summary, both areas of study are important and interconnected. A comprehensive understanding of Australian history should include both the rich and diverse history of Aboriginal peoples and the subsequent history of Australia since 1788. Emphasizing one over the other can lead to an incomplete understanding of the nation’s past and present. Many educators and historians advocate for an integrated approach that acknowledges the significance of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous histories in shaping Australia today.

Our PM to wed his beloved Jodie

This is a beautiful love story of two fine people whose lives have reached a point of conjunction with the intertwining of spirit and love.

Australians should all be happy and rejoice for our PM and his soon-to-be bride.

I feel uplifted and buoyed by the joyful announcement.

I am so glad this great man and excellent Royal, who always acts with courage and conviction, can plan a birthday celebration commensurate with his marking such a crucial chronological milestone.

His life and his example have blessed and inspired so many people, and this will, I am sure, continue to be the case.

His aura of confidence and the positive influence he brings to bear in life’s world are inspirational.

How much more do Australian universities charge international students for course fees than is charged domestic  students?

Australian universities typically charge significantly higher tuition fees for international students compared to domestic students. The exact difference in fees can vary widely depending on the university, the specific course or program, and the level of study (undergraduate or postgraduate).

As a general guideline:

1. **Domestic Students**: For domestic students, tuition fees are often subsidized by the Australian government. The fees can range from approximately AUD 6,000 to AUD 12,000 per year for undergraduate courses, depending on the field of study.

2. **International Students**: In contrast, international students usually pay full tuition fees, which can range from AUD 20,000 to AUD 45,000 or more per year. Some specialized programs, such as those in medicine or veterinary science, can be even higher.

As a result, international students may pay anywhere from two to four times more in tuition fees than domestic students, depending on the program and institution. 

It’s important to note that these figures are approximate and can vary significantly, so prospective students should check the specific tuition fees for their chosen course and university.

Given that international students pay their Fees upfront, do Australian universities prefer for domestic students to pay upfront or do they prefer domestic students to defer fee payments by using HECS?

Australian universities generally prefer domestic students to defer their fee payments through HECS-HELP rather than paying upfront. Here are a few reasons why:

1. **Government Funding**: When domestic students defer their fees through HECS-HELP, the government pays the university on behalf of the student. This funding is often more stable and predictable for universities, as it is tied to government policies and funding agreements.

2. **Cash Flow Management**: While upfront payments provide immediate cash flow, the deferred payments through HECS-HELP can lead to a more consistent revenue stream over time, especially if a large number of students choose to defer.

3. **Accessibility for Students**: Allowing students to defer their fees makes higher education more accessible, as it reduces the immediate financial burden on students. This can lead to higher enrollment rates, which is beneficial for universities.

4. **Enrollment Numbers**: Universities may encourage the use of HECS-HELP to attract more domestic students, as the ability to defer payments can make higher education more appealing.

In summary, while upfront payments provide immediate funding, the overall preference tends to lean towards encouraging domestic students to use HECS-HELP for the reasons mentioned above.

Are international students enrolled at Australian universities able to defer their fees and pay later through HECS?

No, international students enrolled at Australian universities are not eligible to defer their fees and pay later through the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS). HECS is specifically designed for domestic students who are Australian citizens or permanent residents. 

International students are required to pay their tuition fees upfront, typically before the start of each semester or academic year. This means that they must arrange to pay their course fees in full at the time of enrollment, and they do not have the option to defer payment like domestic students do under HECS-HELP. 

International students may have access to other forms of financial assistance or scholarships, but these would not include the HECS system.

Do universities in Australia get more money if students pay course fees upfront, or if they defer and pay their fees at a later date through HECS?

In Australia, universities receive funding from the government based on a variety of factors, including the number of students enrolled and the type of courses they offer. When students choose to pay their course fees upfront, the university receives that money immediately, which can be beneficial for cash flow and immediate funding needs.

On the other hand, if students defer their fees through the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS), the university does not receive the payment upfront. Instead, the government pays the university on behalf of the student once the student has completed their course or reaches a certain income threshold. This means that while the university will eventually receive the funds, there is a delay compared to upfront payments.

In summary, universities generally prefer upfront payments because they provide immediate funding. However, the overall financial impact on universities can vary based on enrollment numbers, government funding policies, and the specific arrangements of the HECS system.

The Country Liberal Party won 17 of the 25 Northern Territory Legislative Assembly seats in the August 24 2024 election

How happy they are and what responsibilities they confront.

What is ongoing, never-ending and escalating crime doing to the Northern Territory?

Crime in the Northern Territory (NT) of Australia has significant social, economic, and political implications. Here are some key points regarding the impact of crime in the region:

1. **Social Impact**: High crime rates, particularly in urban areas like Darwin and Alice Springs, contribute to a sense of insecurity among residents. Violent crime, property crime, and anti-social behavior can lead to community disintegration, fear, and mistrust among residents.

2. **Economic Consequences**: Crime can deter investment and tourism, which are vital for the NT’s economy. Businesses may face increased costs due to theft, vandalism, and the need for enhanced security measures. Additionally, the costs associated with policing, legal proceedings, and incarceration can strain government budgets.

3. **Indigenous Communities**: Crime disproportionately affects Indigenous populations in the NT. Issues such as substance abuse, domestic violence, and youth crime are prevalent, often linked to socio-economic disadvantage, historical trauma, and systemic issues. This creates cycles of disadvantage and contributes to ongoing social challenges.

4. **Government Response**: The NT government has implemented various strategies to combat crime, including increased police presence, community programs, and legislative changes. However, the effectiveness of these measures is often debated, and there are calls for more holistic approaches that address underlying social issues.

5. **Youth Crime**: There has been a notable increase in youth crime in the NT, leading to concerns about juvenile justice and rehabilitation. Programs aimed at diverting young people from the criminal justice system and providing support and education are critical in addressing this issue.

6. **Public Perception and Policy**: Crime rates can influence public perception and political discourse, leading to calls for tougher law enforcement measures. This can create a cycle where punitive measures are prioritized over preventative and rehabilitative approaches.

7. **Community Initiatives**: Many communities are actively working to address crime through local initiatives, including youth engagement programs, community policing, and partnerships with non-government organizations to provide support services.

Overall, crime in the Northern Territory poses complex challenges that require coordinated efforts from government, communities, and various stakeholders to create sustainable solutions. Addressing the root causes of crime, particularly in Indigenous communities, is essential for fostering long-term safety and well-being in the region.

Pm

Is the thanks from the exiting or incoming politician?

Why are past challenges and successes never considered by  new leaders taking responsibility for governments and their departments?

The phenomenon where new leaders often overlook past challenges and successes when taking responsibility for governments and their departments can be attributed to several factors:

1. **Desire for Change**: New leaders often come into their roles with a mandate to implement change. They may focus on their vision and agenda, believing that previous approaches were inadequate or outdated. This can lead to a dismissal of past experiences.

2. **Lack of Institutional Knowledge**: New leaders may not have a deep understanding of the history, culture, and complexities of the organization they are leading. This lack of familiarity can result in overlooking valuable lessons learned from past successes and failures.

3. **Political Dynamics**: In many cases, new leaders are appointed in a political context where they feel pressure to distance themselves from their predecessors. This can lead to a focus on new initiatives rather than building on previous work.

4. **Time Constraints**: Leaders often face immediate pressures and crises that require urgent attention. In such situations, they may prioritize quick fixes over a thorough analysis of past experiences.

5. **Cognitive Bias**: Leaders may have cognitive biases that affect their perception of past events. For example, they might focus on recent failures while ignoring successes, or they may have a tendency to overestimate their own ideas and solutions.

6. **Organizational Culture**: The culture within an organization can influence how past experiences are valued. If the culture does not emphasize learning from history, new leaders may not prioritize it either.

7. **Communication Gaps**: There may be insufficient communication of past experiences and lessons learned within the organization. If this information is not effectively shared, new leaders may not have access to it.

8. **Innovation Over Tradition**: In a rapidly changing world, there is often a strong emphasis on innovation. New leaders may prioritize new ideas and technologies over established practices, leading to a neglect of historical context.

9. **Accountability and Responsibility**: New leaders may feel a need to establish their own identity and accountability, which can lead them to reject previous strategies and outcomes, regardless of their effectiveness.

To mitigate these issues, new leaders can benefit from actively seeking out historical insights, engaging with long-term staff, and fostering a culture of learning that values both past successes and failures.

New leaders often repeat the mistakes of their predecessors for several reasons:

1. **Lack of Historical Awareness**: New leaders may not have a comprehensive understanding of the decisions and strategies that were previously implemented. Without knowledge of past mistakes, they are likely to make similar errors.

2. **Insufficient Transition Processes**: In many organizations, there is inadequate knowledge transfer during leadership transitions. If outgoing leaders do not effectively communicate lessons learned, incoming leaders may lack critical insights into what went wrong in the past.

3. **Cognitive Biases**: Leaders may fall prey to cognitive biases, such as overconfidence or confirmation bias, which can lead them to underestimate risks or ignore evidence that contradicts their assumptions. This can result in repeating past mistakes.

4. **Pressure to Deliver Results**: New leaders often face intense pressure to produce quick results. This urgency can lead them to adopt familiar strategies or shortcuts that have previously failed, rather than taking the time to analyze past failures and develop more effective approaches.

5. **Organizational Culture**: The culture of an organization can perpetuate certain behaviors and practices. If the culture does not encourage critical reflection or learning from past mistakes, new leaders may inadvertently continue ineffective practices.

6. **Political and Stakeholder Pressures**: New leaders may feel compelled to cater to the interests of stakeholders or political pressures, leading them to make decisions that align with past practices rather than innovative or more effective solutions.

7. **Inertia and Resistance to Change**: Organizations can be resistant to change, and new leaders may find it challenging to implement new strategies. As a result, they may revert to familiar methods that have been used before, even if they were flawed.

8. **Limited Resources and Support**: New leaders may not have the resources or support needed to implement significant changes. This limitation can lead them to rely on existing strategies, even if they are known to be ineffective.

9. **Overemphasis on Short-Term Goals**: A focus on short-term objectives can lead leaders to overlook long-term consequences. This short-sightedness can result in repeating past mistakes that had negative long-term impacts.

10. **Echo Chambers**: New leaders may surround themselves with advisors or teams that reinforce their views and strategies, leading to a lack of diverse perspectives that could highlight past mistakes.

To avoid repeating the mistakes of predecessors, new leaders can benefit from conducting thorough reviews of past decisions, engaging with experienced staff, fostering a culture of open communication and learning, and being willing to challenge established norms and practices.

Response:

The question of whether very old people should lead governments is a complex and nuanced issue that involves various factors, including experience, wisdom, health, and the ability to connect with a diverse electorate. Here are some considerations for both sides of the argument:

### Arguments in Favor:

1. **Experience and Wisdom**: Older leaders often have decades of experience in politics, governance, and public service. Their long careers may provide them with valuable insights and a deep understanding of complex issues.

2. **Historical Perspective**: Older leaders may have lived through significant historical events and can draw on those experiences to inform their decision-making.

3. **Stability**: In times of crisis, older leaders may provide a sense of stability and continuity, having navigated previous challenges.

4. **Mentorship**: Older leaders can serve as mentors to younger politicians, helping to guide the next generation of leaders.

### Arguments Against:

1. **Health Concerns**: As people age, they may face health issues that could impact their ability to perform the demanding duties of a government leader. This raises concerns about their capacity to serve effectively.

2. **Disconnect with Younger Generations**: Very old leaders may struggle to relate to the needs and concerns of younger constituents, potentially leading to policies that do not reflect the priorities of the majority of the population.

3. **Resistance to Change**: Older leaders may be less inclined to embrace new ideas and innovations, which can be crucial in a rapidly changing world.

4. **Succession Planning**: Relying on very old leaders may hinder the development of younger leaders and the necessary succession planning for future governance.

### Conclusion:

Ultimately, the suitability of any individual to lead a government should be based on their abilities, health, vision, and connection with the electorate rather than solely on their age. A diverse leadership that includes individuals of various ages can bring a balance of experience and fresh perspectives, which may be beneficial for effective governance. It’s essential for political systems to encourage a range of voices and ensure that leaders are capable of addressing the needs of all citizens, regardless of their age.

Singing in the toilet is generally considered a lighthearted and harmless activity. Many people enjoy singing in the shower or bathroom because the acoustics can be good, and it can be a private space where they feel comfortable expressing themselves. However, whether it’s “wrong” can depend on the context:

1. **Privacy**: If you’re in a public restroom, singing might disturb others or be seen as inappropriate. In a private bathroom, it’s usually fine.

2. **Volume**: If you’re singing loudly, it might be disruptive to others nearby. Being mindful of your volume is important.

3. **Cultural Norms**: In some cultures or settings, singing in certain places might be frowned upon, so it’s good to be aware of the norms around you.

Overall, if you’re enjoying yourself and not bothering anyone else, there’s nothing wrong with singing in the toilet!

Good to know.

The decision for male school principals to wear pink, wide-brimmed hats while supervising students should be based on the context of the school environment, the message it conveys, and the comfort level of the principal.

Here are some considerations:

1. **School Culture**: If the school promotes a culture of inclusivity and self-expression, wearing a pink hat may be perfectly acceptable. It could even be seen as a way to challenge gender norms.

2. **Professionalism**: Principals are often seen as role models. If the hat is perceived as unprofessional by the school community, it might be advisable to choose more neutral attire.

3. **Student Engagement**: A unique hat could serve as a conversation starter and make the principal more approachable to students, fostering a positive environment.

4. **Personal Preference**: Ultimately, the principal should feel comfortable and confident in their attire. If wearing the hat aligns with their personality and leadership style, it could be a positive choice.

5. **Community Reaction**: Consider how parents, staff, and students might react. If there is a risk of negative feedback or misunderstanding, it may be wise to reconsider.

In conclusion, there is no definitive answer, and the decision should be made based on the specific context and values of the school community.

I think it was okay for me to wear a pink hat.

One of the most despised traits that people often cite is **hypocrisy**.

Hypocrisy involves claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one’s own behavior does not conform. It can lead to a loss of trust and respect, as people generally value authenticity and integrity.

Other traits that are commonly viewed negatively include dishonesty, arrogance, and selfishness, but hypocrisy tends to resonate deeply because it undermines the very principles of honesty and integrity that people expect from others.

I do not like going out.

I have been to one formal occasion in the past three years – to be awarded a medal at Government House.

I ordered a suit to be tailored. It was fitted and adjusted three times. It was NEVER right but in the end I ran out of time for try-ons and had to take the garments.

The suit cost A$590. Then there were accessories.

On the night:

The coat was too big.

The pants were too loose and the belt was faulty. My pants kept threatening to fall to my ankles and I had to keep hitching them up.

The shirt was way too big and its sleeves far too long.

I felt like a dork and the next day, gave the suit and shirt to the Red Cross.

Now I hate going out at night and with very few exceptions, stay home.

What is the most important human trait or value?

AI’s response:

Determining the most important human trait or value can be subjective, as it often depends on individual beliefs, cultural backgrounds, and personal experiences. However, many would argue that empathy is one of the most crucial human traits.

Empathy allows individuals to understand and share the feelings of others, fostering compassion, connection, and cooperation. It plays a vital role in building relationships, resolving conflicts, and promoting social harmony. By being empathetic, people can support one another, create inclusive communities, and work towards the common good.

Other important traits and values often mentioned include integrity, kindness, respect, and resilience. Each of these contributes to personal development and the well-being of society as a whole. Ultimately, the significance of any trait or value may vary based on context and individual perspectives.

There is so much tinsel and glitter about life in Australia.

There is so little meaningful substance.

So much trite nonsense is consuming educational curriculums.

So little literacy and numeracy substance remains a core teaching priority.

I think that the decency of what has been an Australian way of life has been cast into the vast wilderness of this country – somewhere between Lake Disappointment and Mount Hopeless.

INJURED TEACHERS COMPO BLOWOUT

Herald Sun Tuesday September 3 2024 Bolding mine

exclusive – Suzan Delibasic – Susie O’Brien

More than $50m has been paid out to Victorian teachers and tertiary staff who were injured on the job in the past two years, with experts blaming the ­“explosion” of compensation claims on aggressive students and staff bullies.

WorkSafe data obtained by the Herald Sun under Freedom of Information laws shows teachers from state and private schools, as well as tertiary and TAFE educators, made 1199 of claims in 2022 and 1468 claims in 2023. The claims included teachers suffering psychological stress, concussions, fractures and even cases of deafness.

Some of the biggest payouts include more than $141,500 for psychological harm, $120,253 for head injuries and $103,000 for wrist injuries. There was just over $25m in payouts in 2023, compared to $26.2m in 2022.

Carbone Lawyers partner and head of personal injury law John Karantzis said there had been an “explosion” of WorkSafe claims at schools.

“Teachers and support staff are under fire from aggressive schoolchildren and gangs,” Mr Karantzis said.

“Just recently, we had a case where a student pulled a knife on him and held it to his throat.

“Teachers are also experiencing psychological harm, including bullying from students and staff.”

Mr Karantzis said the Education Department and independent schools needed to provide better support and training.

“Unfortunately we’re seeing time and time again that staff are not being trained to manage these types of violent and aggressive situations, and as a result they are suffering serious long-term injuries.”

Michael*, 65, who worked at a state school in Melbourne’s north, sustained serious psychological and leg injuries in mid-2020 after breaking up two fights between females in the schoolyard.

“Two girls got into a massive punch-on and I tried to break up the fight. I put my arm out and one of the girls ran into me and took the full force of her weight,” he said.

“I didn’t fall but I felt something crack in my right knee.”

Michael said he notified the school about the fight, but “nothing was done”.

“They failed in their duty of care,” he said.

Michael said he was then injured on the same day after being forced to intervene in another altercation between two female students. He said he felt unsafe due to youth gangs that would frequently enter the schoolyard.

“They would have knives, knuckle dusters and their biggest defence was that they would ring up their friends who would show up to the school in a car.

“One of the worst things I saw was a year 9 boy having his head stomped by a group of students.

“This has had a traumatising impact on me … It’s not going to go away and I’ve had to do a lot of work with a psychologist to rebalance my life.”

Michael, who has had two surgeries and full knee replacements, is now awaiting a payout of more than $320,000 in compensation after seeking help from Carbone Lawyers.

Meanwhile, another law firm, Arnold Thomas & Becker, has received almost 100 inquiries in the past year relating to teacher injuries while working.

One of their clients, regional primary school teacher Julie*, who injured her vertebrae after tripping due to the school providing an unsafe environment, said her whole life had been “turned upside down”.

“It’s affected everything from my physical to mental wellbeing, my life will never be the same,” she said.

An Education Department spokesman said: “Victoria leads the nation in supporting health and wellbeing for principals and school staff and we have invested more than $200m since 2018 to support health, safety and wellbeing risks in schools.

* Names have been changed

CHECK OUT THE SEARCHABLE GRAPHIC AT HERALDSUN.COM.AU

TEACHERS WALK OUT OF ‘TOXIC’ PRIMARY

Suzan Delibasic

Sunday Herald Sun September 8 2024.   Bolding mine

Five teachers have resigned from a Victorian primary school making allegations about a “toxic” culture, and saying the stress had taken a toll on their mental health.

The Sunday Herald Sun can reveal the staff, who have asked to remain anonymous, claim to have endured months of “bullying”, “intimidation” and “extreme stress” from the leadership team at Jindivick Primary School.

Some said they had experienced panic attacks on their way to work.

They said their concerns had been passed on to the Department of Education and the Victorian Ombudsman.

A teacher who quit her job claimed the school leadership team had failed to provide a safe and ­inclusive environment.

“It got to a point where you couldn’t even say anything to children that were misbehaving including swearing at teachers and other serious behavioural issues,” she said. “Their (children’s) accounts of incidents were believed over ours.

“I also witnessed the bullying and toxic culture created by the principal and it left me ­extremely stressed.

“It’s not somewhere that I would encourage anyone to work in. I feel extremely sorry for what my colleagues have gone through.”

Several former teachers also claimed that principal Lara-Jayne Wilson, who was ­appointed late last year, had failed to support them.

Another woman, who has been teaching for almost 15 years, said she was forced to ­resign in July, claiming she was offered no support by the Department of Education or the school’s regional director.

She said her problems began when a parent made an ­“unsubstantiated” complaint about the way she had spoken to her child.

“The principal did not advise me of the complaint or communicate with me as to why the student was removed from my class,” she said. “I felt like I was kept in the dark.”

The teacher claimed it took weeks to secure a meeting with the principal and when they eventually met she was “given the impression that everything had been sorted”. She continued to feel “distressed” for months and felt Ms Wilson continued to “target” her.

“She would gaslight me and lie that staff were making complaints about me, but I would ask staff members about it and they wouldn’t know what I was talking about,” she said.

“It was seriously intimidating, and I felt so much anxiety driving to school every day. It’s taken a serious toll on my mental health and I even had an employment limitation, which prevents me from working in any public system, and that is still being investigated.

“I’ve provided eight referees who have provided eight written character references supporting me, but I’m still awaiting an answer from the department.”

A Department of Education spokesman said: “We’re helping schools tackle challenging student behaviour so that teachers can teach and students can learn in a positive and supported environment.”

?

 To date this year, there have been 49 deaths on Northern Territory roads. Included are vehicle drivers and passengers, motorbike and quad bike riders, cyclists, pedestrians and people sleeping on roadways. 

This is horrendous and shameful for a territory with a population of 250,000. With four months to go until the end of 2024, who knows how many will have died when the bell tolls to end the year.

SCHOOLS SHOULD BE FOR CHILDREN

All school pedagogy should put children first. When the Northern Territory took on responsibility for education in 1979, our first director was Dr Jim Eedle. 

In March of that year he gathered all Principals of Northern Territory schools to a conference in Katherine. He said to us in his inimitable way of speaking, that we should always remember that “schools are for children”.

This he said was the prime function of schools. He went on to say that structure and organisation should always be about supporting function, the looking after of education for children. He suggested that if structure became the all important thing, that the quality of function would diminish.

Fast forward 45 years, and I think that the function of education is now well and truly in the shadow of structure. How I would love to have a revisitation to the words and sentiments of our first Director.

There is a possibility but not a strong probability that Jim Chalmers will replace Anthony Albanese as government leader before the next federal government election.

There is a possibility but not a strong probability that Australia will wise up to the wisdom of going steadily when it comes to replacing reliance on fossil fuels.

While blogging has many advantages, there are also several disadvantages and challenges that bloggers may face. Here are some common drawbacks:

1. Time-Consuming: Creating high-quality blog content can be time-intensive. Researching, writing, editing, and promoting posts require significant effort and dedication.
2. Consistency Required: To build and maintain an audience, bloggers need to post regularly. This can be challenging, especially for those with other commitments, leading to burnout or inconsistency.
3. Technical Challenges: Setting up and maintaining a blog can involve technical skills, such as web design, SEO, and troubleshooting. Not everyone is comfortable with these aspects, which can be a barrier to entry.
4. Competition: The blogging space is highly competitive, with millions of blogs available on various topics. Standing out and attracting an audience can be difficult.
5. Monetization Challenges: While there are opportunities to monetize a blog, it often takes time to generate significant income. Many bloggers struggle to find effective monetization strategies.
6. Negative Feedback: Bloggers may receive criticism or negative comments from readers. Handling criticism can be challenging and may affect a blogger’s confidence and motivation.
7. Privacy Concerns: Sharing personal experiences or opinions can lead to privacy issues. Bloggers may face unwanted attention or scrutiny, especially if they discuss sensitive topics.
8. Platform Dependence: If using a third-party platform (like Medium or Blogger), bloggers may be subject to the platform’s rules and policies. Changes in algorithms or platform features can impact visibility and traffic.
9. SEO Knowledge Required: To attract organic traffic, bloggers need to understand search engine optimization (SEO). This can be complex and requires ongoing learning and adaptation.
10. Content Theft: Bloggers may face issues with content theft, where others copy and use their work without permission. This can be frustrating and may require legal action.
11. Emotional Investment: Blogging can be an emotional journey, especially if a blogger invests a lot of time and effort into their content. Low engagement or lack of recognition can be disheartening.
12. Distraction from Main Goals: For some, blogging can become a distraction from other important tasks or goals, particularly if it takes up too much time or energy.
13. Evolving Trends: The blogging landscape is constantly changing, with new trends, technologies, and audience preferences. Keeping up with these changes can be demanding.
14. Limited Audience: Initially, it can be challenging to attract readers, especially if the blog is new or the niche is not well-defined. Building an audience takes time and effort.

Despite these challenges, many bloggers find the experience rewarding and fulfilling. By being aware of these disadvantages, aspiring bloggers can better prepare themselves and develop strategies to overcome potential obstacles.

Blogging offers numerous advantages, both for individuals and businesses. Here are some key benefits:

1. Creative Expression: Blogging provides a platform for individuals to express their thoughts, ideas, and creativity. It allows writers to share their passions and interests with a wider audience.
2. Building Authority: Regularly publishing informative and insightful content can establish a blogger as an authority in their niche. This can lead to increased credibility and trust among readers.
3. Improved Writing Skills: Consistent blogging helps improve writing and communication skills. Over time, bloggers learn to articulate their thoughts more clearly and effectively.
4. Networking Opportunities: Blogging can connect individuals with like-minded people, including other bloggers, industry experts, and readers. This can lead to collaborations, partnerships, and friendships.
5. SEO Benefits: Well-optimized blogs can improve search engine rankings, driving organic traffic to a website. Quality content can attract backlinks and enhance online visibility.
6. Monetization Potential: Bloggers can monetize their content through various means, such as affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, advertising, and selling products or services.
7. Audience Engagement: Blogs allow for direct interaction with readers through comments and social media. This engagement can foster a community around the blog and encourage reader loyalty.
8. Personal Branding: Blogging helps individuals build their personal brand. It showcases expertise, personality, and values, which can be beneficial for career advancement or business growth.
9. Knowledge Sharing: Blogging allows individuals to share their knowledge and insights, contributing to the collective understanding of a topic. This can be particularly valuable in educational or professional contexts.
10. Flexibility and Control: Bloggers have full control over their content, design, and publishing schedule. This flexibility allows them to adapt their blog to their personal or business goals.
11. Long-Term Value: Quality blog posts can continue to attract traffic and generate interest long after they are published, providing ongoing value over time.
12. Therapeutic Benefits: For some, blogging can be a form of therapy, allowing them to process thoughts and emotions, share personal experiences, and connect with others who may be going through similar situations.

Overall, blogging can be a powerful tool for personal growth, professional development, and community building.

Come tourists, come

To all potential tourists

Come tourists, come

To all potential tourists; 

Come see the NT, 

The best views by far, 

Share time in the NT, 

See how lucky we are, 

To live in a place, 

So worthwhile to share, 

Come and enjoy,

Is my entreaty and prayer.

; 

Come see the NT, 

The best views by far, 

Share time in the NT, 

See how lucky we are, 

To live in a place, 

So worthwhile to share, 

Come and enjoy,

Is my entreaty and prayer.

The new government going forward

I believe that our new Chief Minister and her government are well-positioned to make a positive difference in how our territory is developing.

The government will need to be resolute, firm on its key commitments, and not become the fall guy sucked in by the desire to appease narrowly focused ‘one issue’ interest groups.

POH’s question

What is the most frequently uttered swearword in the world?

AI’s response

The most frequently uttered swearword in the world is often considered to be the F-word, “fuck.” It is widely used in various languages and cultures, often due to its versatility as an expletive, intensifier, or in various expressions. However, the frequency of its use can vary significantly depending on cultural context, language, and social norms. Other common swearwords may include variations of “shit” and “damn,” but “fuck” tends to be the most prominent in many English-speaking contexts.

That is the way it is!

Sad but true,

Discounted and condemned for what may or may not have happened historically.

For whites like me, the future is bleak.

The baby’s first word

It’s not uncommon for children to pick up on expletives or swear words, especially if they hear them frequently in their environment. However, the first words that babies typically learn to speak are usually simple, everyday words related to their immediate experiences, such as “mama,” “dada,” “ball,” or “no.” 

While some children may indeed learn a swear word early on if they hear it often, it’s more likely that their first words will be those that are used in positive or neutral contexts. The context in which language is used plays a significant role in language acquisition, and children tend to mimic words that are used in loving or playful interactions. 

That said, it’s important for parents and caregivers to be mindful of their language around young children, as they are very impressionable and often mimic what they hear.

Why don’t people smile and laugh and be happy any more?

There are many factors that can influence why people may seem less inclined to smile, laugh, or express happiness. Here are a few potential reasons:

1. **Stress and Anxiety**: Many people face significant stress from work, financial pressures, or personal issues, which can lead to feelings of anxiety and make it harder to feel happy or relaxed.

2. **Social Media and Comparison**: The rise of social media can lead to unhealthy comparisons with others, which may affect self-esteem and overall happiness. People often present curated versions of their lives online, leading to feelings of inadequacy.

3. **Isolation**: Modern life can be isolating. Many people experience loneliness, which can diminish feelings of joy and connection with others.

4. **Mental Health Issues**: Conditions such as depression and anxiety can significantly impact a person’s ability to feel happiness or express joy. Mental health awareness has increased, but stigma and lack of access to care can still be barriers.

5. **Cultural Shifts**: Societal norms and values can change over time. In some cultures, there may be less emphasis on open expressions of joy or laughter, especially in serious contexts.

6. **Global Events**: Events such as pandemics, political unrest, or environmental crises can lead to a collective sense of worry and fear, overshadowing moments of joy.

7. **Busy Lifestyles**: Many people lead fast-paced lives filled with responsibilities, leaving little time for leisure and enjoyment, which can contribute to a lack of happiness.

8. **Lack of Connection**: Genuine connections with others are vital for happiness. If people feel disconnected from friends, family, or community, it can lead to feelings of sadness or apathy.

While these factors can contribute to a perceived decline in happiness, it’s important to remember that many people still find joy and laughter in their lives. Encouraging connection, mindfulness, and self-care can help foster a more positive outlook.

Oh, woe is me, for  I feel quite undone.

Yesterday, our rates notice for the City of Darwin Council arrived in the mail. Inclusions apart from the Bill itself, include a statement about all the wonderful things that Council has done.

However, there was one glaring omission! In past years the council has included an insert in rates notices that this year was missing. 

What was missing, was a detail about our Lord Mayor and our councillors in the various awards – which now leaves me wondering who they all are, because you never hear from ward councillors from one election to the next – or so it seems.

I haven’t been contacted by a councillor in our ward for at least the last eight or nine years. Who are they and where are they? Without that inclusion reminding me of who our councillors are, I have completely lost touch with them.

My granddaughter has a function to attend this evening, as he is shortlisted for an award in creative writing.

Coming from a feeling remote corner of the Northern Territory, she must shop for Clothing and accessories to wear to the function this evening.

Now I am her old grandfather and I am with her if she looks at what she wants and makes a selection for this evening.

It is important and I am remembering that what she gets  It’s for her to wear, not me.

I am supportive, and can offer suggestions but in no way must I dictate what she chooses to wear.

Grandparents should be there for their grandchildren, but should not get in their faces.

Why is it important for up-and-coming leaders and those responsible for organisations, to discount the past and never to learn from the  mistakes and successes of their predecessors.

This propensity to discount and ignore the past puts organisations into a position of where so often the samei I i shortfalls and the same standard progress is repeated over and over and over.

All old people like me can do, is to sit back and think lol“been there, done that“, and watch while they sink  or swim.I

 I’m waiting for my granddaughter to collect her luggage when the baggage handlers put it on for Carol so it can be collected.

While I’m sitting, I’m thinking about the fact that when we first travelled on an aeroplane in 1975, passengers were much different to the way they are now, in terms of the way they dress and just their general department and demeanour.

It’s so much more casual now with everybody dressed in anything.

The airports are jampacked with people everywhere even here in Darwin. At Darwin, there’s a lot of confusion at the moment because upgrades are happening within the terminal and also outside. I think they’re anticipating a major uptake in the number of people coming through and using this airport in future years.

To say that passengers – and there are lots  of them  – are anything other than amotley collection would be an overstatement.

These days the crush of people going through airports onto planes to sit in cramped circumstances like battery hens in cages is the way it is in 2024.

I have a 14 or 15-year-old vehicle that has been well-maintained and is regularly serviced.

We drive quite a bit to keep our eye on how things are progressing in various parts of Darwin. We also visit Palmerston, Darwin‘s nearby city neighbour.

Buildings are going up everywhere and houses are being constructed at a rate of knots.

However, one of the things becoming painterly obvious is the state of our roads, both major and minor in our two cities. Driving along many roads is now like driving on a corrugated gravel track. It may look smooth but reflects the underlying surface of the road breaking down.

Potholes do not help, but they are repaired in time. In many places, the surface bitumen is  breaking down and patching makes the roads look like a web of striations.

However, it is the subsurfaces of our roads that are breaking down giving more and more impact to one feeling as if driving on corrugations. The only way this is going to be fixed is for the road to be taken up and rebuilt at sub-surface levels.

Whether or not that ever happens, I do not know I do know that the fixing would run to many, many millions of dollars.

I do not feel reassured about the security vetting of those being rushed into Australia willy-nilly at the behest of our Federal Government.

Too many hasty decisions in all sorts of areas are being made by ministers in the Albanese Government because they want to soft soap and persuade voters in their electorates, lest they be turfed at the next election.

This is a prime example of putting yourself ahead of our population’s wants and needs – both economically and in security terms – at large.

I hope this government has only one term of tenure. 

I looked and listened to the interviews of the Democratic hopefuls on TV. 

It seemed to be a staged production focussed on ‘non-commitment’ as an outcome to be gleaned by viewers. 

Given the calibre of key candidates on both sides of the political equation, I shudder at the likely future confronting America.

God help us all, for we are at a significant political crossroads.

I despise and hate the motivations of all terrorists.  What happened in Israel on October 7 was and is reprehensible.

However, I also question the motivations of Israel’s PM Netanyahu, whose actions as a leader seem to paint him as someone hell-bent on deflecting those legal problems he confronts in Israel because of his leadership strategies. 

He is singularly minded to the point of discounting what millions of Israelis are feeling and wanting.

Is the West wise to follow him with what seems like one hundred per cent compliance with his whims?

Sixty DV callouts a night – that is just a massive impost on our police and others associated with trying to contain this vile behaviour.

Indeed, DV perpetrators HAVE to be dealt with the severest of penalties if the domestic violence epidemic is to be slowed.

At the moment, it seems rates of DV abuse are growing exponentially.

I am so happy that the VAD Committee has recommended practical and logical ways in which the entitlement to end one’s life if passed through the Assembly, will work.

When the law is passed, it will be a total relief to me, a 78-year-old man. With  euthanasia  not being an option available to me, should I need to access the option, I have been left feeling very insecure and vulnerable.

Appreciation of Adam Drake

Adam Drake is a remarkable individual whose dedication to uplifting others shines brightly across the Northern Territory. His unwavering support manifests in countless ways—whether through the generous sharing of his time, financial contributions, or priceless wisdom, Adam tirelessly engages with those in need. He serves as a beacon of hope, illuminating the path for individuals battling the shadows of self-doubt and uncertainty.

In a world where challenges can often feel overwhelming, Adam’s commitment to doing good is a testament to his character. He doesn’t just offer assistance; he embodies the spirit of compassion and empathy, empowering others to recognize their potential and strive for a brighter future. Through his actions, he fosters a sense of community and belonging, reminding everyone he touches that they are not alone in their struggles.

Adam’s ability to connect on a personal level encourages resilience and inspires individuals to envision and pursue a better way forward. His presence is transformative. As he continues to uplift and support those around him, Adam Drake exemplifies the profound impact one person can have on countless lives, making the world a better place for all. Thank you, Adam, for being such a guiding light.

Is it wrong for me to think the Federal Government is absolutely stuffed?
Is it wrong for me to think this government is the worst government we have had since Federation?
Is it wrong for me to doubt the wisdom of the renewables policy?
Is it wrong for me to think that coal and gas are almost ‘enemies’ of and to the Australian lifestyle?
Is it wrong for me to despair about our ability to defend ourselves against future aggression?

Is it wrong for this 78-year-old man to feel total and utter despair about the future of this country?

LET’S LICENSE MUMS AND DADS

In The Sunday Mail (Brisbane) September 1 2024

Emily Pidgeon

A retired detective who believes pet owners have stricter responsibility expectations than parents is calling for radical solutions to tackle the youth crime crisis.

Former detective superintendent Mark Ainsworth says there is a certain level of accountability for animal owners, and questioned whether similar guidelines should be put in place for parents and guardians.

“You need licences to look after certain animals,” Mr Ainsworth told Gary Jubelin on the I Catch Killers podcast.

“You’re responsible for the animal’s wellbeing and you’re held accountable (for its behaviour).

“What’s the difference between that and holding a parent or guardian accountable for their child’s behaviour?

“People have to take responsibility for the children they’re raising.

“If someone breaks into a house or damages something, the parents need to be held accountable.

“I’m not saying this relates to all parents and guardians.

]

“I understand some are at their wits’ end trying to control their kids and conform with laws.”

The respected detective, who led the 2012 investigation into Allison Baden-Clay’s murder, said youth crime isn’t a policing issue, it’s a “whole community problem”.

Police have become babysitters, he said, which is “costing the community a hell of a lot of money”.

“Particularly here in Queensland, they are used as a stopgap measure for other duties, which are not necessarily policing duties.”

The retired investigator said he believed the youth crime epidemic was partially caused by the baby bonus scheme introduced by the John Howard government in 2004.

“Women in particular who got the $5000 baby bonus ran out and bought televisions or put drugs up their arms,” he said. “Now society is trying to look after those kids. I’m not saying all, but a lot fall into that age category.”

Mr Ainsworth said youth crime has become a core focus in policing, taking crucial resources away from solving other crimes.

“These offenders are getting put before the court, they get bail or they get sentenced and then they’re meeting with like- minded kids who then come out and reoffend,” he said.

Imposing tougher prison sentences, he said, won’t solve the problem.

“In reality, how often does a juvenile receive the maximum penalty? I’d argue it’s not a deterrent for the kid at the time.

“It’s just an easy way for the government to say we’re tightening things up, but they’re not looking at the core issues going on.”

Mr Ainsworth said he believed the solution was encouraging young children to step away from technology and learn important life skills.

“Set up a diversionary system to divert kids away from the court system,” he said. “It’s nothing new. They can get an education, learn farming skills, learn respect, learn a trade and more importantly, get away from social media.

“So there’s no phones or no computers and they can learn life skills that we learned as kids growing up.”

The former officer, who was with Queensland Police Service for almost 40 years, said a diversion program should be accessible to all children.

After retiring as a full-time Educator in January 2012, I had the chance to sit back, reflect and learn. There was also within my heart a desire to share with others – especially those who are in preservice training or at the very beginning of their teaching careers – some thoughts and ideas that they might find helpful.

At the beginning of my teaching career – and that was back when education was a lot simpler than it is now in terms of expectations and demands placed on teachers – I was helped in my learning by several educators who were far more experienced than me.

That help came to me in face-to-face conversation, through the telephone, and by letter or correspondence. To say that I was appreciative would be an understatement for in those days of inspection and careful study of newbies by inspectors and superintendents, it was easy to fall foul of expectations.

As I came to the other end of my professional life, the end rather than the beginning, an ambition was born within me and the determination that I hax been helped by senior colleagues and those who had gone before.

It was for this reason that I established my blog with WordPress in 2013, calling it “Education A Life Force“.

In the years since, I have used my blog primarily for educative purposes and through my LinkedIn account have both shared posts on my blog and invited others to my blog by sharing its address. The feedback I get suggests that what I am doing has been appreciated.

I also have a blog for more general purposes not related specifically to education.

There are other things I have done to spread messages, but my blog has been a prime source of helping me to help those in the same way as I was supported by others.

And by the way, I really appreciate WordPress and its management

Last weekend, the Country Liberal Party was resoundingly elected to the Northern Territory Assembly for the next four years.

With some authority, The CLP which had eight years ago been voted out of office leaving only two seats, turned out all around and came back to secure 17 seats in the new assembly. Labour has been reduced to probably for St Se.

Along with many other Northern Territorians, I am looking forward to some of the issues we have confronted, being overcome.

When opening the Australian newspaper on Friday, August 30, I saw the advertisement below.

This advertisement creates significant concern for me, because bringing a plethora of people into the Northern Territory from elsewhere to do all we get devising, guiding, and everything else, Will without doubt, defeat the purposes of this new government.

What we do not need coming into the territory to fill key roles are experts with wonderful CVs, great university credentials and limited experience – if any – in the Northern Territory and its unique politics and specific lifestyle.

We have had the past governments of the Northern Territory undone by the practice of bringing in outsiders who do little other than establish the depth and breadth of their own experience before taking off to greener pastures.

Far too often in the past governments and various of its departments,  have been short-sheeted and left floundering in embarrassment by this practice.

We do not need more of the same! We do not need a government with the potential to be undone and reduced to mediocrity because of the infusion of those who,  in practical terms,  know very little about our territory.

But alas! I can already hear the flow of expressions of interest coming upon us like an avalanche.

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) fleet is made up of 31 commissioned warships and 16 non-commissioned as of April 2024. The main strength is the seven frigates and three destroyers of the surface combatant force: seven Anzac class frigates and three Hobart class destroyers.

Where does Australia’s navy rank in the world?

Ranked 19th among the 140 most powerful armies in the world, Australia placed 47th in terms of naval power.

BAE System’s Global Combat Ship – Australia will be one of the most advanced anti-submarine warships in the world. The Hunter Class FFGs will be built in Australia by ASC Shipbuilding  

The Hunter Class will begin entering service in the early 2030s replacing the 8 Anzac Class frigates, which have been in service since 1996.

The service currently forms the Navy’s Submarine Force Element Group (FEG) and consists of six Collins class submarines. The Royal Australian Navy Submarine Service has been established four times, with the initial three attempts being foiled by combat losses and Australia’s economic problems.

I am convinced that the Western World is living in some degree of ‘independence’ on borrowed time.

Western leadership, actual and potential is like a limp lettuce leaf compared to those leading the communist bloc.

We are going under, and I feel as secure about our future as a drowning man.

With each passing year, the world is becoming ever more complex. Getting from start to finish on issues becomes ever more difficult because of blocks and obstacles inserted by everything from process to the specific – and often selfish – demands of narrowly focused interest groups. 

Oh, for a return to the definitive times of the past – times that were more definitive and people had the confidence to back themselves in on issues and decisions of consequence.

People everywhere are talking about peace and creating peace in places where war is presently being played out.  

While talking about peace in our world, leaders of most countries preparing, to a greater or lesser extent, for war.

Well, maybe not in Australia where things defencewise just seem to meander slowly, slowly along.

The year 2030 is the one that the Australian Government has proudly earmarked as our country becoming of age in terms of responsibility for minimising the use of fossil fuels and becoming ever more dependent upon renewables.

My thinking about 2030 is that the same vision will be far from the mind of the Australian government. By then if we are not on the brink of a regional war, The war will already be upon us.

Do you think I am dreaming? I wish I was!

In essence, I think we are on the brink of a worldwide Holocaust and totality of destruction. 

I can feel it in my bones.

We live close to the T junction of two major roads. When we moved here in 1987, both streets were quiet and relatively free from the likelihood of anything happening.

Fast forward to 2024, thirty-seven years later. Traffic volume has increased at least one thousandfold, and the escalation shows no signs of plateauing any time soon.

Vehicles start moving earlier and end later. The streets are no longer quiet.

I can put up with most things except increased traffic is an outcome of progress. However, there are two exceptions to my tolerance.

The first relates to people on motorbikes who like to rev and rev and rev as much as they can, particularly late at night and in the early hours.

The second increasingly distasteful experiences extend to people in vehicles who insist on tyres screeching and on Herning and on making as much engine noise as possible entering and leaving the T-junction of our roads.

I would desperately love to have a set of tyre spikes and be able to use them To help curb over-enthusiastic bike and vehicle drivers who care not a whit about the noise they make and the offence  they create.

Is it wrong for me to think this way?

Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary reached the summit of Mount Everest in May of 1953, the British had been trying to climb it for 31 years. However, the summit was reached for the irst time by a Nepalese and New Zealand citizen, with both working together to reach the top of the world.

For poor old Mount Everest, it has been all downhill since then. With the passing of years, more and more people have taken to climbing the mountain. Tens of thousands have had a go, with some not being able to go past one of the interim camps on the way up the mountain.

They have left many ‘gifts’ – indeed hundreds  of tonnes of them – on the mountain.  Material waste. and human excrement of all kinds. Mount Everest has been turned from the centrepiece of a beautiful, pristine wilderness into one of the most notorious of the world’s  rubbish dumps.

A sad and permanent pessimism is all pervasive and sits within my soul.

It is always there and is created by a number of circumstances relating to environment, social and economic circumstances and the increasingly tenuous state of the country – Australia – and the world in which we live.

THERE IS NEVER ANY BLUE SKY

Blue sky,

Has fled from my life.

Replaced,

By ever thickening,

Ever darkening,

Clouds of despair.

From bright light,

To dimming.

Then penumbric reflection,

Of dusk.

Deepening,

Into the black night,

Of depression.

Like an Arctic winter,

The sun,

No longer rises.

My life,

Is without shadow,

Without illumination.

I am

Lost in tundra darkness,

24/7/365.

More and more,

I realise,

Extinguishment,

Is the only escape.

I suffer greatly from a post election syndrome. It might be called “depleted recognition syndrome“.

For me, a wonderful thing in the weeks and sometimes months leading up to an election is the number of pamphlets from aspiring candidates extolling personal and party virtues. Some even contain handwritten messages inviting me to contact them to discuss matters should I so wish.

My letterbox flourishes and I feel valued.

Now the election is over and decisions have been made about who is going to represent constituents in parliament, the mailbox has gone from being overloaded pretty well to nothing at all. No more pamphlets and no more paraphernalia – until the next election.

How on earth will I cope?

I am trying in my thinking to square what is happening in Alice Springs with its everlasting feast of youth crime – and non- fix with the issue being totally out of control – with what is happening with stood-down Yipirinya School principal Gavin Morris, who is on the mat over matters of trying to kerb aberrant behaviour, which has had an impact on the school.

How do I deal with the disparity?

Note: This is from two decades ago.

Teacher development consumed a hell of a lot of my time, and that of my senior leadership group, goes into developing people so that they can do their job better in terms of building kids and achieving, hopefully, the outcomes that we want.

We are riddled with teachers in our system up here who oughtn’t to be teaching.

We also have a hell of a lot of teachers in our system who are got to be’s, not want to be’s.

They don’t want to teach, but they have to teach, and often it’s because they weren’t sufficiently qualified to pick up any other occupation from a training viewpoint.

Have things changed?

. I don’t think that it’s something that we should just sort of lay down and accept.

I mean, I was never a principal who’s a doormat. And all my time – touch wood I suppose – I’ve never been physically set upon by any parent, and woe betide any parent that tried it on because I’d bring the full force of the law to weigh on them, and I’d do that for my staff as well.

But, you know, at the end of the day I think you’ve got to take a position, you’ve got to be seen, you’ve got to have a profile, you’ve got to have visibility, you’ve got to share that with your staff, you’ve got to have them supporting it.

SCREECH, YELL, HOLLOW, SCREAM

Canberra May 29, 2024

I have been listening to the federal parliamentary question time in the House of Representatives.

I am sitting in my car listening to it right now.

Talk about a circus of shouting, hollowing, screaming, and elected members on both sides of at the house. The whole thing is just a total and utter shambles and schnozzle.

I just hope that students and other impressionable people are not listening to the hubbub going on in the Federal Parliament this afternoon. What a terrible, terrible example our politicians are setting to the listening public.

One sensible question and one sensible answer fell into the midst of the session, but that was almost anachronistic.

I was principal at Leanyer School for 20 years before retiring 12 years ago.

Had the Labour government been returned at the election on the weekend, there was a promise that if the Wanguri Seat passed to Shlok Sharma, the school would be upgraded in terms of facilities and staff to the tune of $4 million.

With the CLP winning government, that has gone, with the promise being blown away in the wind of political change.

This issue has caused me to reflect upon the school and its community.

So many electorate offices in Darwin’s northern suburbs at the moment, and in the wash-up to Saturday’s election, are closed and being cleaned by politicians and their staff after so many incumbencies – in Saturday’s election – were terminated by voters. There is some shock and horror at how territory electors removed many politicians from office. 

Change is major.

I drove around in Darwin and its suburbs this afternoon as is the case on most afternoons. It’s nice to go for a drive. But I could not help feel emptiness and disappointment today.

Today is the day after the Northern Territory election. Those wonderful posters and core flutes have all disappeared – all 50,000 or 60,000 of them. How empty the streets looked.

There were no faces coming back at me through our windscreen and side windows; no happy smiles sparkling eyes or glistening white teeth. No more political aspirants.

I hope I can cope with what we have now lost.

If people apply for jobs in writing and do not make it onto a short list for interview, make sure they are contacted and advised their applications were unsuccessful. Non-communication is rude.

If people are unsuitable for advertised positions, consider offering them feedback as to why their applications were unsuccessful. Encourage them to up-skill to achieve placement in the future.

 GOVERNMENT has talked of cutting red tape and reducing the time and effort business owners have to devote to administrative process. I hope this happens so owners can refocus on prime needs.

It is a sad state of affairs that throws up the realisation that many young people are disinterested in work. Let us remember and appreciate young people who have a positive and caring work ethic.

My hope is that businesses committing to the employment of young people are not disappointed. Some honour their employers. Others are definitely ‘short term’ jumping ship, going at a moment’s notice.

As business or service providers, consider thanking clients or users for patronising your organisation. Appreciation expressed in this way will travel via grapevine to others. Value your customers.

Make sure that ONLINE DETAILS are kept up to date, particularly opening hours. If sites get out of date, they can be a source of frustration rather than a font of information for potential customers.

Consider PROMOTIONS through pages of papers, sometimes produced periodicals and via online writing onto interest groups and conference sites. Consider pamphlet drops and get to be known.

A problem for enterprise in the NT (and elsewhere) is the STICKABILITY of employees, particularly many of the younger set. Workers need to commit to their work, respecting ‘the boss and the business’.

It is important to INVITE CUSTOMER FEEDBACK and their genuine response to service rendered. Seek both compliment and suggestions that might lead to improvement of service delivery.

BRIEF DAILY SUMMARIES can be useful. Summary might include: *Activity/project; * How did I feel (+’s and -‘s); *What did I learn; * Implications for study/ work (tasks), people (relations) and self.

The excitement of the buildup to the NT election has gone. It is all flat the day after.

I feel flat and exhausted. Maybe this sort of excitement is not good for an old man.

The Northern Territory election, predicted by some to be a cliffhanger, was anything but that!

Rather than it being a cliffhanger, Labor fell off the cliff.

Election Day,

The time has come,

Who will have lost,

Who will have won,

We know not yet,

But time will tell,

Will it be red (Labor) or blue (CLP),

Come the winner’s bell?

One mob will cheer,

The other sign,

As time ebbs out,

On Election day,

The hype’s been huge,

What can I say,

What will come to the NT,

Post Election Day.

WORD OF MOUTH support from satisfied customers and happy clients is the best of all advertising for Northern Territory companies. Shoddy service on the other hand will turn on you in this place.

There are business enterprises that do a great job. We need to remember to appreciate them. Small Business Awards programs are one avenue and nomination for recognition is worth contemplation.

Some businesses fall on hard times, with situations beyond their control. When confronted, proprietors need to look at alternative opportunities. The first reaction should not be defeatist. Chin up!

Businesses shoot themselves in the foot when profit at all costs becomes paramount. It is then that the customer and client becomes disaffected. They feel regarded as being pawns in a profit game.

It seems that many businesses are not particularly interested in business enhancement and public relations. Quotes sought for work needed are not offered or reluctantly provided. 

APATHY IS SAD!

There are businesses and proprietors who care. For some, there is the challenge of having staff engaged and interested. For others there are staff shortage issues. Employees turnover can be a problem. Skewed motivation is an issue when it is discovered employees are more interested in their salary than their work.

However, the apparent ‘don’t care and not interested’ is certainly inherent within the management of some businesses, particularly trades areas where work is plentiful. Further, there are some business which take the line of ‘the customer owes’ when it comes to arranging work to be done. In fifty year’s in the NT, both in remote areas and Darwin, I have seen and experienced plenty of both caring and disinterested businesses. 

THANKS and APPRECIATION need to be built into all organisations. We focus too much on compliance and accountability and insufficiently on genuinely valuing what employees do for businesses.

We should aim to support NT BUSINESSES by preferring them for supply of product and in the letting of contracts for capital works construction. To by-pass local business and go elsewhere is not right.

SELF-CERTIFICATION is a dangerous thing. I believe all work undertaken should be checked by an external certifier, in order to validate the work to both the builder and the client. It avoids pitfalls.

When dealing with matters, aim to play the ball (issues dealing) and not the man (messenger). Too often we sidetrack and in having goes at people overlook the need to concentrate on the agenda.

Coaching, mentoring and genuine patronage need to be part of strong organisations. Confidence and strength needs to be built within. Sharing of ideas needs to be organisational health at heart.

The fabric of organisations is strong if ‘warp’ and ‘weft’ communications are open and honest. Subordinate to superordinate links and peer to peer contexts need to be supportive and appreciative.

The 4 R’s of housing 

Reports

Remediation

Renovation

Responsibility

The oldest issue

The longest issue

The most cost focussed issue

The most neglected issue

The most often recycled issue

An issue without end.

 English used to be, very definitely, the prime language and the major way of communication in Australia. We learned English when we went to school, including speech, listening, grammar, punctuation, and all the rules that went with the use of our language in oral or written form. 

Students going for year 12 had to take English as a compulsory unit – at least one sometimes more than one unit.

When I trained as a teacher, the English Method and its teaching was a number one unit. We had to be able to speak correctly, read correctly, listen carefully, and have no speech imperfections in our make-up.

No longer! The purity of English has turned it into a hybrid form of communication and distorted its expression.

With the inroads of IT end the corrupted language which is part of these platforms, we are drifting in terms of English language competence, from bad to worse.

This acceptance of language mediocrity blows my mind.

My last excitement was 22 August 2020. That was the day we had our last Northern Territory election. I get very, very excited about elections.

My next day of great excitement will be tomorrow August 24, 2024. Four tomorrow is exactly 4 years after our last election.

Elections really, really turn me on.

.Worth a read and reflection.

STUDENTS SCHOOLED IN SMUT

Herald Sun Monday July 1 2024

EXCLUSIVE – Susie O’Brien – Suzan Delibasic

A growing sexual culture in Victorian schools means students are calling teachers pedophiles and sluts, and making pornographic memes and comments about them.

Both male and female teachers are reporting a rise in “casual statements about serious sexual issues” including boys being suspended for catcalls such as “clap them cheeks”.

Slurs also included girls who “call any male teacher who tries to maintain the class rules a pedophile at the drop of the hat”, according to one teacher on an online forum.

The teacher also said they had seen “disturbingly graphic public declarations of sexual acts directed toward female staff and students”.

“We recently suspended a boy who had a Word document with a list of various girls and women at the school and his preferred sex acts for each one,” the teacher wrote.

Another teacher reported one student who said “f–k you bitch” when he was disciplined.

A collection of teachers at one private boys’ school said boys were drawing penises on their school books, threatened to “piss in the corner” if not allowed to go to the bathroom and referred to a group of female teachers as a “coven”.

The Herald Sun has found a litany of social media posts, both from students in state and private schools, where teachers are accused of being pedophiles and having relationships with students.

“(Teacher’s name) after he preys on innocent little Indian boys,” one TikTok post said, while another post accuses a teacher of having a “relationship” with a student.

There are also several degrading posts in which teachers are matched up as couples while being mocked.

Samantha Schulz, a senior lecturer at the University of Adelaide, called for a national collection of instances of anti-social behaviour, abuse and harassment in schools.

Dr Schulz said the offensive attitudes “cut across the sectors” and were found in many different types of schools.

“Little change will be made until the problem is measured and acknowledged, and a unified system of reporting is put in place,” she said.

Dr Schulz surveyed teachers’ comments on social media, reporting “heightened use of misogynistic language and behaviours by male students, some as young as five”.

One teacher said: “Boys are increasingly using misogynistic language towards female students and teachers, telling them to ‘make me a sandwich’.”

Other teachers noted the use of terms like “slut” and “rape-able” used about female teachers. They said boys would make animal noises and grab their genitals and make rude gestures towards women and girls at the school.

Monash University researcher George Variyan said social media extended the reach of such attitudes, operating as a kind of “echo chamber” for Andrew Tate and other influencers.

“We need to do more, and it’s not just about having a one-hour consent education incursion,” he said. “This kind of profane behaviour has always been there but now technology is amplifying this.

“There’s not a single parent or teacher out there who is not concerned about this issue,” Dr Variyan said.

A Department of Education spokeswoman said: “Any harassment of staff by students is completely unacceptable, and schools will take appropriate disciplinary action against any students who engage in this kind of conduct.”

Come Sunday, the Northern Territory election will be all over, bar the shouting. No more will a drive around our streets and suburbs be the same. The 50,000 -maybe more – core flutes have been reflecting the faces of electoral hopefuls for many weeks. It will all be gone a day after the electon.

I will miss the happy, smiling, anticipatory faces.

I am 78 years of age and sh.t scared of becoming a victim of the Australian-aged care system. Metaphorically, I think of aged care as being a shark tank into which people who are old and frail can be too easily tossed.

Non-compliance with standards is far too common. There seems to be a falsification tendency within the system.

Aged care costs plenty but care in far too many places seems to be minimal.

Too many people going into nursing homes become shrouded in blankets of sadness that smother them and their families.

OLD FASHIONED READING IS THE BEST

In these modern times, it is easy to replace traditional reading approaches with device supported alternatives. The proof of this change is confirmed by the number of bookshops that have been relocated away from the Northern Territory, changed business focus or closed. Among these are the ABC Bookshop, Dymocks and Angus & Robertson. While newsagents carry text material, dedicated bookshops are in decline.

Tablets and electronic books are becoming ever more popular, replacing what was a preference for books and traditional texts. Newspapers and some magazines have skyrocketing numbers of online readers, but subscriptions to hardcopy and paper formats are declining.

Electronic reading is an individualised alternative. The interaction is between the reader and the device. Text sharing and discussion does not take place because this reading method is not a group activity. Reading from devices does little to promote text sharing and companionship between readers.

Jackie Sinnerton made this point in a recent column about what should be an important sharing between parents and children. She suggests that “… parents should stick with old fashioned storybooks when reading to their children and ditch the electronic devices … reading from a device or e-book fails to engage children in the same way as a storybook. Parents and children verbalise and interact more when story and pictures are in print.” (Reading more special when it’s in print, NT News, 27 March 2019)

Traditional reading offers interactive opportunities for parents and children. Quoting from a prominent paediatrician Dr Tiffany Munzer, Sinnerton explains that the tradition of parents and children reading together offers “ … interactions, including warmth, closeness and enthusiasm during reading (which) create positive associations with reading (that) will likely stick with children as they get older.” (Op cit).

Although not stated, this benefit will in all likelihood be carried forward and become a habit that today’s children will practice as tomorrow’s parents.

Traditional reading promotes family togetherness. It also supports children in their acquiring of reading, conversational and comprehension skills.

The NT News and other papers belonging to the Murdock stable recognise the importance of shared readings in the family context. From time to time, sets of books which can be purchased by families reading newspapers, are offered for sale at most reasonable prices. This is a positive and practical initiative.

Access to traditional books and sharing quality time focussing on written text, adds value to family life. Children from homes where shared reading and discussion is a family habit, stand to gain a head start in reading, discussion and social sharing which are elements of formal schooling.

MEDIA INFLUENCES YOUTH

From time to time the issue of media influence on shaping the values of young people comes up for discussion.

It is often asserted that what young people see, hear and experience has no influence on the shaping of their attitudes and values. People are scoffed at if they suggest otherwise. Researchers and others connected with empirical study assert that young people know that games are for amusement. Therefore, playing these games will have no impact upon their lives.

I believe that to be totally wrong. Many young people immerse themselves for hours on end, day after day, week after week in playing these games. Common sense suggests this has to impact on their thinking and attitudes.

Young people may become so totally absorbed in this “escape from reality“ that it becomes their reality.

While some of these amusements are quite benign, many of the more popular ones are about murder, massacre, slaughter, and macabre behaviours. It stands to reason that young people (and those who are not so young) who become totally immersed in these activities will be influenced by their addiction.

The fact that so many young people these days are “I“ and “me” people who do not think about others, may well be a result of exposure to online gaming. Lack of manners, slack, disrespectful speech, the inability to focus on real life tasks in school and elsewhere, disinclination toward real life activities all point toward cyberspace influence. The key characters in online games generally behave in a way that promotes heroism through bullying, harassment and other negative behaviour. Can we wonder at this bravado and these attitudes rubbing off on the impressionable minds of youthful gamers?

Common sense suggests that the antisocial behaviour of many young people has its genesis in their indulgent online activities. When cyberspace completely absorbs the minds and the attention of users, something has to give!

One of the most recent games is “fortnite”, which focuses on extremely negative social behaviour. Game changes and modifications always seem to focus on negatives, rather than social decency.

I believe it imperative for parents to be aware of the online games their children are playing. They would be wise to monitor the classification of these activities and the length of time spent in online indulgence.

Without doubt, the games children play impacts on their thinking, attitudes and behaviour. That can have negative consequences. It may result in them making poor decisions that impact upon their lives and their futures.

ALLERGY AWARENESS ON SCHOOL AGENDAS

Schools have to be increasingly aware of food allergy issues. Nut allergies are of particular concern. It seems more and more children are becoming nut sensitive. Recess and lunch box contents can be an issue.

“With severe allergies on the rise, no childcare centre, pre-school or school can afford to be uninformed about the risks to children in their care. They need to arm themselves with information on food allergy and anaphylaxis and create environments that are safer for all.” (Allergy and Anaphylaxis Aust. Website)

Until about 20 years ago, very few schools had policies that considered the risk of food allergies. This has changed. Most schools, particularly preschools in primary’s have policies relating to allergic sensitivities that can confront children.

The most common of these allergies is that relating to the susceptibility of some children to fall violently ill, if they come into contact with nuts. Many schools advertise that they are “nut free zones”. Parents are frequently asked to take into account the fact that foods including nuts and sandwich spreads containing nuts should not be included in children’s recesses and lunches.

While this is restrictive parents for the most part accept that nut contamination could have far reaching consequences for susceptible children.

Two way awareness

It is important for care and caution to be a two way process. Children who are nut allergic should understand their condition. It’s important that they take care to steer clear of any food danger. I believe the children from very young ages, including those in preschool, should be aware of the need for self-preservation.

From time to time there is a worry that children suffering from allergies might be teased or even threatened with contamination. This is usually an unnecessary fear. One of the qualities demonstrated by children is a genuine empathy and care for those whose circumstances are confronted in this way. It’s wise for teachers and children in all classes to be aware of children who may suffer from allergic reaction to nuts.

Schools in which all staff and therefore students are aware of an allergy situation can offer support. A further safeguard is for teachers and school support staff to have epipen training so this can be administered in the case of an emergency.

Nut consciousness and allergy awareness is the part and parcel of modern education. It’s just another duty of care responsibility existing for schools and staff. That duty is helped when parents and students cooperate to help make school environments safe, secure places for all students.

IN THE BLACK – NEVER IN THE RED

I hate debt.

Interest payments on borrowings are dead money.

I always work on the principle of having money to buy and having money to save.

Savings are important. They are enhanced by budgetting to meet expenses.

In budgeting, I ensure that splurging is avoided. Money is not treated in a miserly or penny-pinching manner. It is spent sensibly and saved prudently.

Budgeting is important and accountability critical. I would not have it any other way.

I ABHOR ‘I’

“I“!!

It is a selfish word. It is the most misplaced word. It is a suffocating word, smothering the notion of “we“ and “us“. It is a proud word, forever upholding individuals over the collective.

I was born a baby boomer. Then came the X and Y generations, the Millennials and the Z generation.

Going back over time the focus always used to be on “we“ in terms of the way we put others before ourselves and valued the community above ourselves.

Now that’s all gone! People think only of themselves, and what they want, and to hell with the rest!

Too many politicians are in politics for themselves and not other people. Too many CEOs of retailing and manufacturing companies are in their positions for their good, and what they want comes first. Too many people in government departments are more concerned about themselves and what they can get out of their jobs than they are about the jobs they do and the people they serve.

Service for others used to be heart service. These days it is lip service. It is not genuine but rather pretends. People who put others before themselves are a distinct minority.

Yes, the word “I” is the word I would most like to banish into extinction.

In my whole life, I have only once been on a motorbike as a pillion passenger – and have never actually driven a bike.

On this particular occasion, I was invited to be a pillion passenger on the motorbike owned by my future brother-in-law.

I got onto the bike, we travelled about a metre, and the bike spilled onto the ground and us with it.

What happened then was that the motorbike chain ripped the gusset out of my trousers.

I had to make a quick trip uptown on foot in as modest a way as possible to buy a new pair of pants. The only ones I could get were a size or three too big but that was the way it had to be.

No more motorbike riding for me ever again.

We are just five days away from the official Northern Territory Legislative Assembly election on August 24. 

I have been counting the days down in my diary for the past several months, and now it’s down to single digits for days remaining.

Tonight on Sky News there was an hour-long debate between Government Chief Minister Eva Lawler and Country Liberal Party Opposition Leader Lia Finnochario. 

I recorded the debate and will watch it tomorrow.  In overall terms, I am very, VERY excited about the culmination of our once in every four years election.

Early voting started on August 12 and within the first seven days of pre-polling, 58,000 have already voted. With only around 6,000 voters in each of our 25 seats, seats could change and the election outcome is far from predictable.

I am very excited.

Very rarely do I have a dreamless sleep. Most nights it seems, I dream and dream and sometimes those dreams seem endless.

They are also repetitious, sometimes night after night, the same old, same old. Like trying to end an endless stream of laundry that has to be washed in  an old fashioned way and then hung on outside lines to dry.

 And in this dream it is always raining and drying washing is almost impossible.

My dreams go on and on. I have done so much to rehabilitate our educational system in the NT.  All in my dreams. 

Should dreaming be as intense and the memories of dreams as permanent as they become?

I do not know!

It is 2024. By 2019, this man was already the longest-serving PM in Israel’s history. 

Turbulence and trouble always seem to dog his heels. He faces stiff scrutiny in Israel for some of his leadership actions. Is this conflict a tool by which he can help stave off this examination?

I am sh.t scared of becoming a victim of the Australian-aged care system. I think of aged care as being a shark tank into which people who are old and frail can be tossed.

Non-compliance with standards is far too common. There seems to be a falsification tendency that exists within the system.

Aged care costs plenty but care in far too many places seems to be minimal. 

Too many people going into nursing homes become shrouded in blankets of sadness that smother them and their families.

Do politicans, ahead of elections, make promises they know will never be realised?

Why do voters swallow political promises – like fish taking a baited hook – knowing that they will be binned the day after the election?

Why do educators tacitly allow students to set the behaviour agenda in classrooms and act so powerlessly when it comes to behavioural expectations?

Attacking Mr Dutton for his cautionary and common sense approach to an intake of Gazian refugees who have, at best, been cursorily vetted is ridiculous.

It confirms that far too many politicians are all about popularism rather than a rational and logical approach to issues like this.

Australian politicians calling Dutton out for racism need only look at many countries in Europe to see how mass migration condoned by political leaders – without security checks – has brought so many to the brink of disaster.

Dear Mr Sharma,

We are into the last week, indeed the last few days,  before voting will culminate in what happens on August 24. All our candidates in all the seats will be getting quite excited with anticipation.  I have been counting down the days in my diary and we are nearly there.

Although I would never in a million years dream of standing for an election, as a very, very old man who has been voting in NT elections since 1975, I get very, very excited about elections.

I am often disappointed that the many, many promises are either not kept or are diluted to the point of making little discernible change to the issues they identified.

But so what! Elections tend to be full of what becomes empty rhetoric – and there is always next time!

All the very best for the last days of the campaign.

Regards

Poor Old Henry

August 19 2024

Today is a special remembrance day for Australian defence Force personnel who were conscripted into d3efence service and then sent to Vietnam. Australia committed to supporting America during the Vietnam War.

For so many who went to Vietnam, death awaited. Many others from both Australia and America, lost limbs and in other ways were hideously injured by the atrocities of war.

For Australian returned servicepeople, one of the awful underpinnings ws theway in which they were spurned and reviled by the general poploation. The war was horrible, accomplished little, and hurt many with terrible physical and mental scars.

PTSD was a major affliction while others succumbed to cancer. Many – indeed scores of returnees – lost mariages, families and their lives through suicide.

I am 78 and consider myself ever so lucky that the birthday ballot, by which those conscripted to training and war, did not include my date of birth.

So much sacrifice, so many deaths, and so much loss of access to an everyday and decent life – and for what?

In the Sunday Territorian today, August 18 2024

An Australian past Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, now Australia’s ambassodor to America, is doing a great job in representing our country, He is articulate, astute, a scholar, a person with deep understanding of China and South East Asia and a person who is careful to represent our country to the best of his ablity.

Importantly, and despite some criticism, he is more than willing to establish a reputation as being supportive of everyone he contacts. He represents Australia in a way that may incur expenditures but that is necessary for the interests of the critical representative role he fills.

This has attracted some response (as per the Sunday Telegraph), but expenditure is understandable in the interests of the critical representative role he fills.

Do non-indigenous Australians, individually and organisationally, have to apologise time and time and time again for the perceived historical treatment of Indigenous Australians?

Is compensation for perceived wrongs toward Indigenous Australians being rolled out time and time and time again?

Is there seemingly no end to the huge amounts of money paid in recompense terms to those who were here before us?

Is money often paid as royalties wasted by splurge spending, meaning benefits it might bring, are quickly dissipated?

(but beware rose-coloured glasses)

So much hoo-ha and confusion now exists in this world. It is so very complicated and unstraightforward.

I grew up in a simpler era and find myself increasingly confused as we walk through these modern times.

The clarity of life has become quite kaleidoscopic.

I was once nimble, a fleet of foot, and because of our farm’s terrain with steep and rocky hills, very, very good at climbing.

Alas, now a hack, all that is in the past.

I remind myself of a draft horse these days, for that is what I am like. I’m slow but dependable and will get there in the end.

I won’t be put off by distractions, like a draft horse that goes from one place to another and the completer and finisher of tasks. It may take a little while to complete, but those tasks will get done.

I’ve often thought draft horses are reflective, accepting of people and focused on endpoints rather than distractions.

I hope that is me.

Protecting public service from abuse

Attacks on public servants are not new, but sadly, they seem to increase exponentially in these modern times.

Front-line providers  – teachers, school principals, police, paramedics, nurses, hospital orderlies and support staff in government departments – are increasingly on the receiving end of vile and abusive behaviours.

The matter needs to be addressed, but will the government elected on August 24 meaningfully address the issue, or will it succumb to the noisy minority interest group brigade and let it go through to the keeper?

Unfortunately, present rhetoric is unlikely to translate into action outcomes.

Abuse of public servants and those delivering front line services is going from bad to worse.

Politicians, promises and delivery

Throughout my adult life, I have tried to live with the offerings of politics in a way that focuses on issues rather than personalities, on the quality of messages rather than the messengers.

So much of our political system, not only in the NT but Australia-wide, is strong on distorting what opposition politicians say by denouncing and criticising them as people – thus muddying their messages.

Sadly, all political parties, whether in government or opposition, are intense on messaging but very short when delivering outcomes.

Our political system is strewn with broken promises.

Taxi drivers upside

I have been a periodic user of Darwin Taxis for the past 30 years.

There are some outstanding drivers with whom one can enjoy conversation while travelling.

Taxi drivers do it tough, working long shifts, often in dangerous conditions at night – and increasingly during the day – and earn relatively meagre wages.

I am always happy to tip drivers who are positive in outlook and dispositionally friendly.

They never ask – and I have never been ripped off.

Five times the Australian average

The sad and growing scourge of violence against women will only ever get worse.

Justice systems allow offenders to bail while waiting for their court cases for violent offences.

On top of that, penalties are often trivial. Appended protection and trespass orders are ineffective and a waste of paper upon which they are printed.

Electronic bracelets should be required for EVERYONE who is charged with violence – and not only against women.

These matters are being treated far too trivially and leniently by the justice system.

In these times of increasing violence, God help women, children and us all.

Dr Peter Forrest Historian Extraordinaire

Few things make my blood boil more the the crass and indifferent manner in which our universities hand out honorary doctorates to notary publics.

These doctorates are not earned through any academic effort but conferred because recipients are deemed to be important people.

The awarding of an Honorary Doctorate to Peter Forrest is an exception, for this man and his partner have spent decades researching and writing about NT History.

The amount of research Dr Forrest has done would, in terms of time devoted to study and pages written, be the equivalent of several PhDs.

I am glad he has been honoured.

Care Homes scare me

As a 78-year-old Territorian who has been here since 1975, I fear contemplating a final years stint in a retirement home.

The various surveys, including the Royal Commission into Aged Care, have filled me with dread.

A primary focus of care is to make money from those in homes, especially where questions of equity about residential rights are considered.  

Neither do I want to become a burden on others because of declining physicality or mental health. 

I would much prefer to have access to the option of  Voluntary Assisted  Dying rather than ending up in institutionalised care.

We do not have access to VAD at the moment, so suicide has to be contemplated.

POLICE ARE LUMBERED

Without stating the obvious, it seems to me that our police force in the Northern Territory is increasingly lumbered with responsibilities to counter crime, which makes their load almost an impossible one.

They are increasingly responsible for domestic violence issues (which seem to be growing at an exponential rate), countering public violence, and managing what appears to be an increase in traffic violations. They must be aware of potential injury to people and wanton damage to property being levied against our community.

I have personally witnessed on many occasions how police do their jobs and do them well. I’m also well aware of how they are treated by members of the public, with insult, attempted assault, taunting, racial vilification of them in their work, and so on.

One of the difficulties for police is that they must be so cautious in carrying out their duties, lest they even minimally overstep the mark. It seems that perpetrators of wrongdoing have so many rights that even the slightest policing misstep violates their entitlements.

Requiring police to be doing evermore in policing and demanding they be ever more vigilant in terms of the way they react to wrongdoing must be frustrating to the extreme. It is no wonder that many police leave the force.

I wonder, too, whether it is wise for new police who have just finished their training to be given first-up appointments to crime hot spots and remote areas around the territory. 

I have a massive respect for our police force, and that stretches ck over decades in the Northern Territory. However, for them to be disrespected and treated like baggage and have to minutely monitor every action they undertake lest they cause offence or impose upon the entitlements of perpetrators of wrongdoing is just not right.

I have an ancient vehicle that still goes well. Registration requires an annual check for serviceability and roadworthiness, which is fine.

I want to stay with this vehicle because car theft in the NT (Including Hiluxes, SUVs and flashy, expensive and new cars} is rife.

Over a short time, hundreds of vehicles worth millions of dollars have been stolen. 

If they are crashed, sympathy is heaped upon the thieves, especially if they are killed or maimed. Scarcely a thought is offered to vehicle owners, many of whom are still paying these vehicles off.

The fact they are up against it, with insurance premiums hiked for claims and payments still due on damaged, trashed or burnt vehicles, matters not.

My ancient vehicle will do quite nicely

Homegrown territorians needed to boost the NT – CM says

I think our Chief Minister is right to be concerned about the lack of Territory talent aimed at being more significant contributors to our economy and developing socio-economic direction.

But whether or not the territory becomes more focussed upon by those born and raised here is a vexed question.

So many, young and old, move away because they believe their chances of succeeding are better elsewhere.

Part of this may have to do with the many middle and upper occupational levels, filled by those from overseas and interstate rather than from within the NT.

Many outsiders also come to boost their CVs and broaden their experience before moving elsewhere.

Remote area teacher needs

This is a new and continuing chapter in a story of need that is decades old.

It takes me back in time to the memory of a working party st up in the late 1970’s, with the task of “developing a program of incentives that woud attact teachers to remote area service “, then “retaining them for extended periods of time.”

Many of the needs and incentives being identified and suggested in 2024, were made by that group of educators.

The working group included members appointed by the education department and the teachers’ union.

I was a union member of the group.

Our extensive recommendations were minimally met, and what we identified back then are still concerns of this present time.

Defence in a hopeless situation

Beneath the announcements and the veneer about our defence forces, infrastructural development and assets – to be used in war – acquisition, there seems to be little real consolidation;

I feel that Australia is far from being prepared for any conflict, either in supporting allies or in defending our shores.

We are short on navy personnel, with, I believe, only three vessels in service at the moment.

The ADF is vigorously trying to step up recruiting to make up personnel shortfalls, while equipment upgrades and supply are many years away. We have been caught short on defence.

Will war come to Darwin

With Darwin being where Darwin is, and with the ever-upgrading of defence training and facilities, I stand in the yard, look at our home, look at the surrounding neighbourhood, and wonder when (not ‘if’) it will be reduced to smouldering rubble by a missile or barrages of rockets directed at our city. 

Darwin, Palmerston, Nhulunbuy (where fuel storage is anticipated), Alice Springs (with Pine Gap being front and centre of Chinese interest) and other towns and communities will need bomb shelters and missile refuges. 

Our state of readiness for protection from environmental desecration and shattered infrastructure occasioned by war is zero out of ten.

The war that will envelop our region is imminent, and we are far from ready.

Crime will not stop

We came to the NT in 1975.

No matter where we lived, safety and security were not an issue – until we came to Darwin in 1987.

It was then I became aware that all was not well; this was reinforced when our home was broken into in 1989.

Since then, I have watched with increasing concern as criminal behaviours, mainly youth crime, have grown to exponential proportions.

The government and opposition promise the issue will be addressed every four years during election campaigns.

After each election, promises are found to have been hollow, and the only thing happening is increased crime.

Will things be different after the August 24 2024 election?

Sadly, I think not.

Age can be a burden

As a person now aged 78, I cringe at the thought of physical or mental incapacity requiring me to go into aged care in a residential facility.

I have read too many chilling accounts of what can and often does go wrong.

The Australian Royal Commission into Aged Care was a real eye-opener for me.

Should I decline to become dependent on others, particularly in an institutionalised situation, and having lived what I hope has been a complete and fruitful life, I want to be able to opt-out.

That is why entitlement to Voluntary Assisted Dying is so essential. The alternatives are not at all palatable.

Is the King coming?

The King IS coming and so is his Queen

How wonderful it will be when our King comes visiting his most loyal country in October.

I live in hope the trip goes ahead, as I would love the opportunity to see our King and Queen Camilla.

I remember well as a seven-year-old joining the throng to wave to our then Queen Elizabeth 11 and Prince Phillip on the road past Kings Park in Perth.

That was in 1953. I would love for that childhood experience to be reduplicated in my old age.

Expenditure priorities in times of scarcity

When facing cost of living pressures, people would be wise to assess expenditure priorities.

With accommodation costs at astronomic levels and food costs rising, cutting back on costs associated with social and recreational pursuits seems a common sense choice.

Given Australia’s economic circumstances, I am amazed that expenditures on alcohol, sports venue attendance, gambling, and food delivery to homes by Uber (adding hugely to costs) have not been trimmed.

CDU prioritising International students

While this may be an excellent initiative, consider our own (domestic) students who often have a hard time gaining part-time employment to help offset their HECS costs.  Initiatives in both education/training and employment opportunities that promote international students over locals are shortsighted and disappointing.

Analysing the Royals

How wonderful it is to have hundreds of experts studying the body language, poise, facial expressions, gaits when walking, and the revealing traits of royal personages when they wave to crowds. The Royals must feel chuffed about all this attention.

Good morning world, from Leanyer in Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory in Australia. It is 9.30 am on Friday August 16 2024.

I hope wherever you are in the world, you and yours have a great day.

Henry

Thoughts for August 15 in email to him

Dear Mr Sharma

I look out my window every morning, to see your smiling countenance coming at me from across the road in Leanyer Drive.

It is somehow reassuring to know that you’re out there, with others, looking to represent our electorate beyond August 24.

I am going to miss your happy face every morning once the core flutes have gone.

All the best with your campaign as we reach the business end of the upcoming election.

Poor old Henry

15th of August 2024

Posted on March 11, 2013 on my blog

PREPARING THOSE WHO WOULD TEACH

A lot is being talked about in the community and reported in the media on the subject of teacher quality. The soul searching and almost daily comment around Australia and in the Northern Territory is futuristic and forward looking. I believe in looking forward, those responsible for teacher preparation need to reflect on past teacher training practices, revisiting and including some of the key elements in our 21st century teacher preparation courses.

Historical Priorities

My teacher training dates back to 1968 and 1969 at Graylands Teachers College, a post second-world-war collection of Nissan Huts with a few added on buildings, in Perth WA.

At that time, two year training programs were being phased out, being replaced by three years of training. As a mature age student I was required to be one of the last two year trainees.

Fast forward nearly sixty years, and no-one gets to graduate as a teacher without a four year degree or a Graduate Diploma in Teaching built onto a pre-existing degree. The difference between training then and now, involves more than course length.

You would think that the extra training would lead to better teaching on graduation. Not so. In those past years, trainees were taught to teach and were properly readied for the classroom. These days, its often a case of degree qualified teachers being readied to take up classroom positions without the methodological awareness training they need to confidently enter the profession. High level academic qualifications do not necessarily translate into excellent teaching skills.

While the world is a more complicated place than it was fifty years ago, the essence of what is required to be a good teacher stays the same. Subject knowledge, a sound understanding of teaching methods and the ability to ‘model’ as a teacher dealing with children were essentials when I trained – and should be the same in this day and age.

The needs remain but I worry that critical teaching and preparation methodologies are insufficiently stressed. Rather than prospective teachers receiving that understanding while in training, they graduate with degrees and as neophytes are expected to begin acquiring practical teaching skills and dispositions upon full-time entry into classroom teaching positions.

Teacher Training in the Sixties

In the 1960’s, trainees at Graylands undertook the following studies:

* Educational Theory and Practice, a detailed unit that occupied two years.

* Teaching Methods for key subjects which also conducted over two years. Key subjects included English, Mathematics, Psychology, Social Science (including history and geography). Teaching method included consideration of Junior, Middle and Senior Primary students.

* One year courses taken during the two year program included Social Institutions, Science, Art, Craft, Music, Oral English, Physical Education, Health Education, and Drama.

* Students had to undertake one major and three minor electives relating to teaching and involving research and formal recording and documentation. Nature Study, further investigation of Education Theory and Methodology, Creative Writing and Historical research are examples of optional studies.

* A compulsory one year course in Arithmetic set at Grade Seven level had to be satisfied. This included an exam which had to be passed before graduation. Those failing had to re-study, re-sit and pass the exam before satisfying training requirements.

* A compulsory one year Spelling course had to be passed. Trainees sat a test during which 100 words were administered. A pass required 99% (ie one mistake only allowed). A cross out and re-write of a word so it was correct, was deemed a ‘mistake’. Students failing this and Arithmetic had to re-sit the exams at a later date.

There were other requirements .

* During the two year course, students had to attend lessons being taught at Demonstration Schools. They had to observe then discuss lessons with demonstration teachers. They then had to write these lessons in a Demonstration Book in reflective manner that indicated their developing awareness of teaching pros and cons.

* At the beginning of their two year program, all potential teachers were given a reading and oracy task. Those who were assessed as being other than fully competent readers and speakers, were required to attend speech and diction classes aimed at developing these skills. This was seen as necessary because classroom teachers were models for their students.

Practice Teaching

* Students undertook a practice teaching round (teaching practicum) each term. Duration increased from the first practice of one week to the final practice of one month. Each student went out on practice teaching six times during their two year program, in different school types and at varying grade levels.

Trainee teachers were rigorously assessed by the practice school and the training college. At the end of formal observations both oral and written feedback was offered the practice teacher. This focussed on lesson content, teaching method, and vital supplementaries of classroom control (management) and student assessment.

At the end of the practice, a Teaching Mark was awarded to each student. She or he took this to the next practice, with the challenge that competencies be consolidated in order to ‘grow’ the person as a preservice teacher. Evidence of growth sustained or added to the teaching mark, but backward movement reduced that evaluation.

Graduation

In order to graduate, students had to pass all subjects. They also had to attain a C level Teaching Mark or better. Those failing in these requirement might be Awarded a Conditional Teaching Certificate, with a requirement that the deficit be made good and the certificate confirmed within the first teaching year. If this did not happen, employment of the teacher was discontinued.

Of the various courses I have undertaken over time, the attaining of my Teacher’s Certificate was by far and away the hardest of these studies. 

Along with other students (there were some 230 from memory in my course, including quite a healthy percentage of men) I often wondered at the need for the course to be so rigorous and often so fatiguing.

Over the years, I have come to bless the training I received for its focus on both rigour and emphasis. Teacher training was character building. Not everyone stayed the course. However the attrition rate was not huge, because prior to entry all aspirants were psychologically tested and evaluated for suitability to undertake the training program.

Without doubt, the focus and the quality of our training helped, for we were solidly prepared for entry into schools and classrooms. 

Our preparation for this vital profession was based on a solid foundation.

I don’t disrespect modern day teacher preparations by Universities and Colleges of Advanced Education. However, there is room for the solid foundation received by those who trained yesterday to be revisited in these modern times.

Henry Gray

March 11 2013

And where are we in 2024? Further than ever behind the eight ball when it comes to preparing teachers to teach.

This was the CLP Cabinet with Terry Mills as the first CLP Chief Minister, following the CLP losing the ejection to Clare Martin’s ALP Government in 2001.

There is a possibility but not a strong probability that the asking of ‘Dorothy Fix’ questions during question time, will become a thing of the past.

There is a possibility but not a strong probability that America will wrest back the Number One Economic Position in the world from China.

There is a possibility but little probability that the drain of police exiting the Northern Territory will be halted.

You know you have lost bulk when warning signs like this, no longer worry you for fear of collapsing under your weight.

NAPLAN results for students tested in Literacy and Numeracy around Australia in 2024 reveal alarming trends.  There are declines in overall literacy and numeracy outcomes for students in many areas. Testing involves all Australian students in Years 2, 5, 7 and 9.

Testing commenced in 2008 and has been part of the education calendar in every year since – excepting for 2021 when cancelled because of the Covid pandemic.

The lead article in today’s Australian newspaper. It is worth a read and some reflection.

Australia has sacrificed the teaching and understanding of basics, loading the curriculum with nonsense subjects, woke attitudes, and general crap.

Schools are failing. Educational fads prevail with commitment to critical teaching out the window.  (See Peta Credlin’s commentary on Sky on 14 August 2024)

You know birds have brains when they can find and open a packet of birdseed and go for the ‘self-service’ option when it comes to feeding.

You know that election day is drawing nigh, when the milk you are using, expires on election day.

It is late in the day but better late than never. Yesterday was the first day of pre-polling for our election in the Northern Territory and my wife and I cast our votes.

Meanwhile, both the Labour government and CLP opposition are advertising and advertising. Sadly, – and I speak as a person who has been voting in the Northern Territory since 1975 – at least 80% of those promises, particularly about the control of crime, will never be realised. 

Governments are frightened to take charge of the situation because they run into antagonism from rowdy interest groups who wouldn’t have a clue about what’s going on, just wanting to protect and “understand” the perpetrators of grievous sin.

As for the rest of it, we will wait and see what happens in the wash-up from the election. But I am not holding my breath.

Why is there such apathy about voting and the political system in Australia?  Some 480,000 students in our schools do not know what civics and civic education is about.

Voting in Australiauscompulsory, but 600,000 people failed to vote at the last Federal election. 

Of those who voted, 800,000 cast donkey -informal and invalid – votes.

Australians are fed political disinformation and misinformation. 

Australians are in danger of becoming a politically illiterate society.

In the right space, NO

Can sweep away obstacles

Can be a definitive response

Can offer clarity out of confusion

Can make the utterer stronger

Can earn respect for the user

Is often hard to utter the first time

Can earn respect based response from peers

Is often sparingly enunciated because it is easier to go with the flow

Is, sadly, often discounted

Is a word that should be central rather than peripheral to vocabulary

Why (17)

Do politicans act in such an unholy and rabble rousing manner during question time in parliament?

Are trite and meaningless questions asked by many posing questions for cabinet ministers to answer?

Are 25 billion dollars splurged on online gambling in Australia every year? (Are the intense advertising campaigns conducted by gambling houses leading people into gambling addiction?) 

What gives me peace? A short, simple question. but one shrouded in complexity. It is a question I find hard to answer because peace of mind does not come easily.

I think a lot but most of my thoughts focus on things and issues I find worrisome. Rather than focusing on peaceful things, my thoughts lead to worries about problems at the local, territory and Australian levels.

It seems at times there are so many issues of a social, emotional, economic and political nature that there is little room in my head for thoughts that generate peace and serenity.

At night I try to switch off, but nine times out of ten, finish up dreaming. and so intensely that I wake up in the morning remembering quite vividly the details of my dreams. They are hardly peaceful but focus on issues requiring solutions.

I guess what gives me peace, or as close as it comes, is when I am sitting in front of the television, chilling out and dozing off.

That’s the way it is for me

It’s here?

It’s here!

Pre-polling in the NT begins today.  Mobile polling booths will be starting the countless thousands of kilometres they will cover around the Northern Territory from today right through until Friday August 23.

Wow! What a program!!

Tomorrow, August 12 2024, is the day pre-polling for the Northern Territory election opens. Many will vote before the official voting day on Saturday, August 24.

The isolation of many communities in the NT means mobile polling booths are visited around the territory. Electoral officials set up in each community for several hours, with people encouraged to vote before the temporary facilities are pulled down and moved on. Travel from one community to the next is by vehicle or plane. 

So, starting tomorrow, we are on the business end of choosing the next government. It’s on for young and old.

.With the imposition of an increasing number of barriers to free speech, fewer and fewer people have the confidence to comment freely on issues. Cartoonists have been an exception to this rule. They defy the odds by region, state, country and the world for plying their trade and calling those out who act wrongfully or make shortsighted and crass decisions.

Good cartoonists honestly and unswervingly highlight the pros and cons of issues. While they may invoke people and personalities into cartoons, they do this to magnify matters about which we should be concerned.

All cartoonists have specific drawing styles, which adds to their stamp of communication by caricature. A key ingredient of cartooning is conveying a message so the reader is not left wondering what the cartoon is really about. His style and relevance make the cartoonist’s messages meaningful. They take on contentious matters and stimulate debate on issues.

Any law or its interpretation that would stifle the free expression of cartoonists would be a retrograde step. Freedom for cartoonists to express what are often deep-seated community opinions must be preserved. That right should be as sacrosanct as parliamentary privilege.

But if laws of restriction were to be introduced, I am sure cartoonists would defy them and continue their trade of offering us all deep-seated awareness and understanding

GOTTA BE GOOD AT SOMETHING

Posted on May 29, 2023

GOTTA BE GOOD AT SOMETHING

I WASN’T GOOD AT

On the Farm as a Child

Extracting double-gee plants and seeds from growing wheat crops.

Removing eggs from. Underneath clucky hens inmm laying nests.

Hand milking cows.

Crutching and doctoring flyblown sheep.

Eating vegetables prescribed by my Mother.

Wearing a hat for sun protection – and I have suffered!

Resisting spoonfulls of sugar from the sugar bowl.

Denying myself scoops of fat from the dripping tin in the Coolgardie safe.

Dedicating time to feeding and watering the fowls.

Cutting heads off roosters being prepared for sale in our home town.

Sitting still in church.

Focussing on the study of mathematics, physics and chemistry.

As an Adult and Educator I wasn’t good at:

Accomodating Type B personality people.

Pretending agreement with policies with which I actively disagreed.

Having to take on staff members who were ‘gottabees’.

Having to acquiesce to ‘ascribed authority focussed’ superordinates.

Sloppily dressed members of staff.

Accepting system perogfatives to ‘water down’ expectations for some students.

Appreciating system and Australia-wide testing regimes.

Not sharing my school’s successes with media.

Being told in 1974 that I was over-educating indigenous children.

Lots more examples could be furnished; in fact many more hundreds of things at which I am not good could be listed.

A GOOD THING

One thing I believe myself to be good at doing is saying “sorry” when I’m wrong, learning from my mistakes, appreciating those who point out my weaknesses and improvements, and always striving to do my best.

Oops – that is four good things

Never in all my life have I ever wanted to open a shop. It is not my scene. That said, my daughter and son-in-law have a bakery and cafe in one of the Northern Territory’s regional towns. It is known as “The Peninsular Bakery and Cafe”, a business they started from scratch twelve years ago. Now the business is thriving and enjoys an outstanding reputation. (They have a website and Facebook page if anyone wants to explore online.)

Their enthusiasm, dedication and commitment to serving people through the service provided is well and truly understood and apprecated.

Considering this question, the only shop I could think of as being one for me would be a florist shop. I love flowers, and during my years as a school principal, I spent hundreds of dollars on flowers to help celebrate birthdays, school anniversaries and so on. I loved the joy that the giving of flowers brought to people for whom they were purchased.

The joy I felt in giving flowers and the delight I Invariably saw or heard about from recipients made everything worthwhile.

Yes, it would be a florist shop for me

Why is K3 salt being touted as a guaranteed weight-loss agent?

Why do people succumb to scammers’ ‘invitations’ to be ripped off, when they know before responding that ‘offers’ are too good to be true, and they will be fleeced?

Do so many of Australia’s international teams suddenly choke and snatch defeat from the jaws of victory when leading games by big margins?

Why do so many sportspeople become proud, lose all vestiges of humility, and believe they are entitled to special treatment wherever they go and with whatever they do?

Both the Labor government and the CLP opposition in the NT are set to launch their campaigns this weekend. With pre-polling for the August 24 election opening on Monday August 12, voters will be faced with significant choices. 

Matt Cunningham writing in our local paper today, has written as follows and I share his thoughts.

THE SEATS CLP NEED TO WIN TO CLAIM NT ELECTION

Matt Cunningham, NT News, 10 August 2024

The 2024 Territory election could be one of the closest in recent memory. The Country Liberal Party needs to gain six seats to win a majority. Here are seven electorates it will be targeting as early polling begins on Monday.

l

PORT DARWIN

Labor’s incumbent Paul Kirby is retiring at the election after he was dumped from the cabinet late last year.

Labor was probably lucky to hold this seat in 2020.

The conservative vote was split between the CLP and Territory Alliance.

At the 11th hour TA candidate Gary Strachan (now running for the CLP in Johnston) reversed his preferences and put Labor ahead of the CLP after a dispute with CLP candidate Toby George.

The CLP’s candidate in 2024 is health professional Robyn Cahill.

Labor’s candidate is Brian Manning, an assistant school principal.

If the CLP can’t win this seat in 2024, they’re done.

FONG LIM

Like Port Darwin, this is an inner-city seat the CLP needs to win to have any hope of victory. The incumbent is Education Minister Mark Monaghan.

The CLP’s candidate Tanzil Ranman is an Oxford scholar and economic geographer from the Department of Chief Minister.

He was a member of the Labor Party until a few months ago but switched sides after missing out on ALP preselection.

GOYDER

This conservative seat in Darwin’s rural area is held by former CLP deputy leader Kezia Purick, who is retiring.

Purick defected and became an independent during the CLP’s last term in government and has comfortably held the seat since.

The CLP would be confident of winning the seat back but will face a stiff contest from Independent Belinda Kolstad, who is being backed by Purick.

Although even if Kolstad won, she would be almost certain to support a CLP minority government.

BLAIN

This seat is in Palmerston, where a swing to the CLP is likely to be most pronounced, given the law-and-order and cost-of-living issues that are being felt more acutely by voters here. Blain is the former seat of CLP Chief Minister Terry Mills.

Incumbent Mark Turner became the first Labor candidate to win the seat in 2020, when the conservative vote was split between Mills, standing for his new Territory Alliance Party, and the CLP.

Turner was kicked out of the Labor caucus in 2021 and later expelled from the party when he crossed the floor to support a CLP motion for an inquiry into police morale.

The former police officer has been an outspoken supporter of former constable Zachary Rolfe. Labor and CLP insiders believe Turner is a genuine chance to hold the seat as an independent. Labor’s candidate is Palmerston councillor Dani Eveleigh, while Matthew Kerle, who lost to Turner by just 13 votes in 2020 (2PP after Terry Mills was eliminated), is standing again for the CLP.

DRYSDALE

Also in Palmerston, Drysdale is held by Chief Minister Eva Lawler. While Lawler appears to have turned Labor’s electoral fortunes around there are some in the ALP who fear she could lose her own seat if there are strong swings in Palmerston.

It’s unlikely, but not beyond the realms of possibility that Labor could win enough seats to form a minority government but lose its leader along the way.

The CLP’s candidate is former soldier Clinton Howe who has been working hard on the doors.

WANGURI

Darwin’s northern suburbs – home to many of the almost 24,000 public servants in the NT – have been a Labor stronghold since Clare Martin’s historic election victory in 2001.

The CLP’s best chance of pegging back one of these seats (Labor holds them all) could be in Wanguri.

This might seem unlikely given Labor’s massive margin.

However, incumbent and former deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison is retiring and much of the vote in Wanguri would be her personal vote.

Wanguri includes many family-oriented, traditionally conservative voters who would have been attracted to Manison – the daughter of a police officer and perhaps the most centrist member of the Labor caucus – but might be reluctant to vote for a new Labor candidate, particularly given the crime issues the government has faced.

Labor’s candidate is former shoppies’ union organiser Shlok Sharma who is getting strong support from Manison.

The CLP’s candidate is Oly Carlson, a long-time Darwin resident who from all reports has been working hard on the doors ahead of election day.

Popular former lord mayor Graeme Sawyer’s entry as an independent adds an extra twist.

KARAMA

This is another northern suburbs seat that could fall to the CLP.

Residents in this seat have been impacted more than others by the dramatic rise in crime and anti-social behaviour.

Held by Minister for Territory Families Ngaree Ah Kit.

The CLP’s candidate is former Chamber of Commerce deputy chief executive Brian O’Gallagher.

These are the same two candidates who contested in 2020.

Continual travelling companions

Never be without

Your common sense

Your powers of observation

Your listening ears.

Leave them home at your peril.

Never ever underestimate the value of keeping a diary. You never know when you will be thankful you did!

In a previous entry I wrote of the value of record keeping. Many professionals keep brief records because of the time it takes to compile these documents. Over the years I have put hundreds and hundreds of hours into diary keeping and extended records including case notes. My diaries are personal documents. Copies of all other records were always kept. When I retired, these records came with me.

Records can help if one becomes involved with writing. As a regular contributor to newspaper columns and in writing for online and print publications my records have been an invaluable assist.

In recent years, it has become commonplace for past students to begin litigation against former teachers and principals. These actions can be about any number of issues, ranging from teaching ineptitude resulting in fail grades through to allegations of physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Without the advantage of records, recall is at best vague and hazy. With the assistance of records, searches can be made to assist in refuting false and malicious allegations.

I strongly urge educators to establish the diary habit and practice record keeping. You never know when this habit will reward you for the effort.

I am astounded and very disappointed for the Principal of Yipinya School in Alice Springs, Dr Gavin Morris. He has been charged with allegedly physically assaulting some students in 2023. 

It is not for me to speculate on the pros and cons of what is happening at the moment, other than to reaffirm that people in charge of institutions – in this case a major school organisation – are, these days, walking on eggshells.

People in positions of authority have to be especially careful of the way they go about fulfilling their leadership briefs. 

I feel for Dr Morris at this time.

One of the sticking points about life and relationships both personal and professional, is to insist that ‘your’ viewpoint is the right viewpoint.

To offer and incorrect statement or recommend an action that proves to be wrong is reluctantly followed by an apology.

Within school contexts, this can have atmosphere destroying and suspicion arousing outcomes.

For teachers, it can be all too easy to make mistakes. It may be the incorrect spelling of a word, the misunderstanding of roles played by children in some dispute, or getting it wrong when it comes to a particular fact being correct or incorrect.

In these instances and others, to apologise to students for a mistake or misunderstanding is important. It models a correct social attitude to children and also earns respect from children and students.

200th ANNIVERSARY!

WRITING FOR THE SUNS

A little over four years ago, I was invited to write a weekly education column for the Suns, a community newspaper published each Tuesday as an insert in the Northern Territory News.

The Suns has gone through a number of changes over time, and I am outlining distribution as it happens in 2017. The Suns is also published as a stand alone paper which people can pick up for free.

Along with other NT News products it is also available online.

This week was my 200th column for the Suns, my first being published on July 2, 2013. I have enjoyed developing the column and can confirm that educational topics are never-ending.

My columns are necessarily edited for inclusion in the paper. Unedited versions are published on my blog at
https://lnkd.in/gse2g-g

I have enjoyed giving back and giving to the community through my column. Many people comment to me and generally in terms of appreciation. It is a nice and personally rewarding way of engaging with the community in a volunteer context.

And I wanted to share my 200th celebration on my blog.

Regards.

Henry Gray

Australia’s preoccupation with the Olympic games has taken its collective mind off the real world and its here-and-now issues.

I hope on the NT election day of August 24, there are no ambulance movements, no vehicle thefts, no home invasions or business break-ins. I hope there are no incidents of domestic violence, or alcohol-induced incidents at shopping centres, in car parks, at bus exchanges or in taverns or nightclubs.

I hope there will be no distractions to Territorians celebrating election day and rejoicing with whoever is chosen to form the new four-year – we have fixed terms – government.

Do non-indigenous Australians, individually and organisationally,  have to apologise time and time and time again for the perceived historical treatment of Indigenous Australians?

Is compensation for perceived wrongs toward Indigenous Australians being rolled out time and time and time again?

Is there seemingly no end to the huge amounts of money paid in recompense terms to those who were here before us?

Is money often paid as royalties wasted by splurge spending, meaning benefits it might bring, are quickly dissipated?

There is a lot of frailty about human life. One can be up and going, vibrant and happy one day and suddenly reduced by accident or illness the next.

Life can look like going on for endless years – only to be truncated by environmental catastrophe or man-made disaster.

Add these days, the prominence of scammers and the deep deceptions with which so many genuine persons are confronted, and the issue of threats and ruination are compounded.

One never knows in retiring for the night, how the next day will emerge.

Life is tenuous and fraught.

For the whole of my life, I have never gone into spending a huge amount of money on meals at restaurants or on the purchase of exotic provisions to cook meals at home. Don’t get me wrong; I’m far from skin G regarding meals and purchasing ingredients if we cook at home.

When travelling overseas, we often provided for ourselves by buying food from supermarkets or shops and then preparing that food ourselves. The same happened when we were travelling around Australia. The only exception I can think of was when we had Christmas dinner in Georgetown on Penang Island in Malaysia one Christmas.

We went to the Tunku Abdul Razzak Centre for our Christmas lunch. We decided somewhat extraordinarily to purchase a decent bottle of wine for our meal. From memory, I think it was about AU$45, the most I have ever paid for a bottle of wine.

Very few people, it seems, ever had wine with their meals at the restaurant. We had two or three drink waiters hovering around usFrom the bottle being opened until it was consumed.

I remember the wine but not what comprised the rest of the mail.

(Actually, it was on the same day that the five of us had the wildest and most hair-raising race ride in two trishaws from our hotel to our lunchtime meal. It was downhill all the way, and if the topic of a ride ever comes up on this site, I will write more fulsomely about going to dinner.)

When it comes to eating, I’m somewhat of a traditionalist and like plain and wholesome meals without too much garnish. I also love a good steak. We have had three meals in Australia going back over the years, which I remember not so much because of cost but the excellent way the steaks for our dinner are prepared and served.

The third most favourite steak I’ve eaten in this context was at the RSL Club in Gunnedah, New South Wales, back in the late 1970s.

The second-best steak I’ve ever eaten was served to us in the BP Cafe attached to the service station in Ravensthorpe in Western Australia.

A gold plate for the best steak I have eaten goes to the then chef, an apprentice of the Margo Myles Restaurant in the Tennant Creek Hotel in the Northern Territory. The steak was out of this world. It was probably around 1984 or 1985 when that particular meal was served, and I still remember it to this day.

I am 78 years old. Based on three meals a day for the years I’ve been alive, I’d estimate eating 84,660 meals in various situations. That is a lot of eating and a lot of meals. I’d hate to have to pay for them all at once.

Listening was an important attribute instilled as an attribute enhancing comprehension and understanding.

Handwriting was taught and legibility encouraged.

Children learned about words through phonetic study.

Oral reading to the teacher and within groups lead to fluency when sharing text. Discussion within groups and shared conversation built understanding about meaning of the written word.

Children learned tables and mathematical formulae. They developed the ability to carry out mental computation and were dexterous without the need for calculator assistance.

Grammar was studied. Rules relating to the English language and usage were studied and understood.

Spelling was an essential subject. Words and their usage was an important part of study.

My oh my, how things have changed.

I woke this morning to the realisation that the Australian Stock market had fallen 3% yesterday, losing $100 billion, reinforced to me the fragility and artificiality of the global financial world.

The chess-like pieces on the Stockmarket boss’s game are not kings, queens, bishops and pawns: They are bulls and bears, hellbent on eliminating each other.

Health issues continue to plague a significant proportion of people in the Northern Territory. So many of those afflicted could avoid impacts if habits and lifestyle were more significantly appreciated.

Hurry on August 24 – Election Day in the NT.

The share market has decreased leveraging huge losses over the past 24 hours, up one day and down the next. How many bankrupcies will grow from the stock market plunges today and in the days ahead?

Looking around the world on the news, it is hard to find anywhere where there is anything other than bitter struggles and unrest, with riotous behaviour ripping the world asunder.

The Darwin Turf Club carnival wound up today, with the Darwin Cup being one of the closest in recent years.

Now, it is only 19 days before the next NT Government election. Pre-polling opens in a week.

There is both a possibility and strong probability that the Australian stocks and shares market will decline by close to 6% for the day, August 5 2024,

And close to 18% by COB August 9 2024.

There is a possibility but only the remotest of probabilities, that promotions to positions of responsibility will return to being filled on the principles of merit, rather than by virtue signalling.

There is a possibility but not a very strong probability that governments will cease procurement practices favouring, prioritising and ‘weighting’ some applicants based on race and ethnicity.

There is a possibility but an almost zero probability that crime, including domestic violence incidents, will ever be curbed in the Northern Territory.

There is a possibility but not a strong probability that the stock market will be guided by rational and logical commonsense, rather than by the motivations of greed and raw emotion.

There is a possibility but not a strong probability that reunification between Princes William and Harry will take place.

There is a possibility but not a strong probability that an era and aura of happiness and tranquillity will settle like a blanket on Australia.

Sleeping modules at Garma.

Our marriage of 55 years.

The successes of our children.

The decency and progress on the pathway of growing up by our grandchildren.

The closeness we share as a family.

The development of my mission statement in 1984.

My distrust of debt.

The saving of money so that when we buy, what we have is ours.

Having our house as a home.

Growing pawpaws to give away.

Writing my blog.

Connecting through LinkedIn.

Meeting up with past students.

Touching base with past parents of students.

Learning about the successes in life of past students.

Being a people person.

Responding to daily assignments (prompts) from Jetpack.

Editing.

Writing letters on key issues.

Keeping my diary.

Talking on the phone to our children and grandchildren.

Sending and receiving emails and texts from our children and grandchildren.

Learning about artificial intelligence.

Following local politics.

Tending to the garden.

Taking photographs.

Providing food and water for birds.

Watching old movies.

Bursting into song any time and anywhere.

Writing poetry.

Sharing resource materials with others.

Keeping active.

This must be it for about thirty spots of happiness.

Leadership paragon

Thank you, Anthony Albanese, for being the excellent paragon of leadership and innate goodness you have become. You are Australia’s answer to Moses of old, who led his people for so long and guided them through so many dark places. You are Australia’s shining light.

Leadership Lighthouse

I am so glad that our PM is a man whose word and position on issues are steadfast and unwavering. We have every reason to be buoyed and stimulated with adulation for his qualities of leadership which richly benefit us all.

Australia’s Shining Light

How blessed we are to have an astute and deeply empathetic Prime Minister in Anthony Albanese who cares for and is there for us all. Our problems are his problems and he is with us and of us as a caring Australian. I feel that he embeds every one of us in his soul. I thank him for his warmth and humanity.

Steadfastly Truthful

 One of the outstanding things about our prime minister Anthony Albanese is that he never contradicts himself. He holds steadfast and true to the positions that he takes on issues and is very clear and letting us all know about the courses of action and believes to be the best we should follow.

He has so many positive qualities that make him an outstanding leader, a person leading us onward, forward and evermore into an era of prosperity.

A deep thinker and quiet reflector

There is, without doubt, a place for non-verbalisation and silence, and the good thing is that our prime minister knows when it is wise to let Conversational debate rage around without actually joining in.

Recently, he has been invited to comment on and take ownership and responsibility for the ministerial comments of others.

With great dignity and maturity, he has declined ownership of the statements of these others, attributing them to those making the statements. He does not take ownership of things that other ministers say, for they are responsible for their portfolios. He fully trusts them.

Great awareness of outcomes deriving from action

“Cause-and-effect“ is a concept understood perfectly and indeed expertly by our Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. He was well aware of the fact that actions he takes will result in consequences. That makes him a person who is very very careful in terms of policy, process and direction. He is careful not to lead Australia in any direction that is likely to have negative consequences. He is careful, consultative, and thanks very carefully about the pros and cons of all issues before making decisions.

It is this capacity that makes him a stand-out leader.

Maker of Meaningful Decisions

What a timely topic, and how deeply reflective it is of the strategies so ably demonstrated by our Prime Minister. No decision is ever rash or shortsighted but instead made after deep consideration of all elements of issues and with the long-term needs of our country and all therein, taken into careful account.

The Old Testament had King Solomon,  his profound wisdom and careful decision-making. 

We have Anthony Albanese; how blessed are we!

GARMA 2024

The significance of Garma every year cannot be overlooked or underestimated. But given the cost of attendance, I have to wonder how many official and semi-official attendees pay their way – or is it a case of taxpayer subsidisation of the attendance price? Locals who might want to attend also have to pay $270 for a day pass (four days) and $140 for those between the ages of 6 and 14. Garma must bring significant income to the organising group.

Site ready for tonight’s outdoor performance.

A prediction from long ago that is sadly coming to pass.

(From a decade ago)

On November 28 2014, one of the best ever conferences on Indigenous Education was held at the Darwin Convention Centre. It had to do with Indigenous Leadership in schools and the contribution being made to education by Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Staff.

Over 200 people, the majority being Indigenous Australians attended the conference. Fifty organisations, mostly school representatives from government and private schools were involved. While those attending were from all over Australia, there was a strong focus on Northern Territory schools and NT educational outcomes.

The conference was organised by the Centre for School Leadership at Charles Darwin University and the Australian Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Education. Conference highlights included demonstrations of indigenous cultural learning by students from Wagaman Primary and Sanderson Middle Schools. The conference put to bed some myths that have been part of societal thinking for a long time.

The commonly held belief is that nothing happens and no progress is being made in rural and remote schools. Indigenous education is equated with truancy issues and programs constantly thwarted by chronic teacher turnover.

There are over 100 remote schools in the NT and by no means do they all deserve the ‘too hard’ tag. For instance, Elliot School 750 kilometres south of Darwin has close to 90% school attendance. The principal has been at the school for 4 years and all classroom teachers from this year will be staying on in 2015. The conference confirmed that other remote schools are improving in these areas.

Several presenters attested that Indigenous educational success and progress in our remote and urban schools depends on relationships between Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal staff. If they work ‘together as one’ students respond positively to learning opportunities. Of course care and empathy needs to be inclusive of students. Successful schools also engage with community.

Those successful and progressive schools identified during the conference have high standards and expectations. They engage with and support students toward positive personal attainment. Importantly, there is no disconnection between staff and students.

More than NAP

Our educational system tends to accept that the National Assessment Program (NAP) is the only yardstick by which educational success can be measured. That is because the Federal Government says so. Friday’s conference confirmed that there is much more to building student confidence and competence than NAP alone. Care and commitment go far deeper than preparing students for formal testing. Had senior departmental people and politicans attended the conference, they would have found this to be the case.

In the NT, 44% of our students are indigenous. More and more of them attend urban schools and they are the backbone of rural and remote schools. The conference confirmed Indigenous education is working and delivering outcomes, largely because of relationships building between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous staff. Relations between staff, students and community are also helping to build positive educational results. The conference was one of substance and uplift.

Time has moved on but key issues remain. We ought to watch with interest for further growth, development and educational fulfilment in this area.

Education these days overly focuses on accountability and discounts the importance of teaching and learning Box ticking and accreditation are largely about foolish accountability requirements.

The focus on structure and not function (the teaching and development of the child/children) is distorting education.

The principle of schools being for children has largely been forgotten

Everyone has a “Johore Window“.

For many people, their Johore window is quite wide and open, meaning that for an observer the person whose window is so open, “what you see is what you get“ is the way things are.

For everyone, some aspects of personality and characteristics are unseen or hidden. These elements of a person that he or she knows about are not revealed to others. They are the hidden signs of personality. They only come out to the awareness of others if the person to whom they are secret, tells all and tells others about these things.

I have a couple of secret things and they are well and truly hidden from site.

The first is that my favourite word is “Peeeeeete“. I sometimes use it as a callsign but only very rarely and I am to read both when feeling joyful and sad. It is both a positive and a negative expression.

The second is that I am regarded as being a very confident, aware, and forthright person. So often I suffer from self-doubt and uncertainty and feel that I’m not up to the task I’m undertaking. The self-doubt has been confirmed by various tests and I try very very hard to make sure that it is not visible.

Others don’t see it but it’s certainly something that I feel.

So I’ve shared these things as characteristics and habits that people knew nothing about but now they do.

I would teach singing to anyone from 7 to 70 and would do it for free.

I love singing and burst into song in the streets, the shops, in buses and cars and at any time of the day and nights.

Singing is a joyful activity and lightens the spirit.

It ia a good habit one I would like to share with others each and every day.

it’s difficult to quantify curiosity, particularly for someone like me who tends to be curious about many things. Some of that curiosity extends to happenings and the forecast of outcomes (in my mind) locally, regionally, state and territory, Australia-wide, within the four hemispheres of Earth and indeed worldwide with everything in together.

I’ve always believed imagination which is closely aligned with curiosity to be an important ingredient of thinking. When involved with Education, are used to put to students that they have three eyes, A left eye, a right eye and an inner or imaginative eye.

This third eye was the mind’s eye. I used to tell children that the imagination within the minds was a wonderful characteristic and let them know that too often as people age, the mind’s eye grows dim and the imagination fades. I used to counsel them that as they grew up and matured, they ought to try their hardest to keep their mines Ilana alive, vibrant and functioning.

A student, aged 11 at the time, once said to me as I was teaching, “Mr Gray, you have the body of a man and the mind of a child.“ I took that as a compliment and a confirmation of the fact that my imagination and curiosity were still very alive and well. I hope they have not died or gone to sleep during the years of my retirement from full-time education.

That is a long aside but it leads to the thing in this life about which I am most curious – and sadly it is not a happy thought for my imagination to dwell upon.

The world is full of conflict. There is conflict within regions and countries. There is open disputation between countries which is leading to war. The Russian/Ukraine war (Which Vladimir Putin said would last for three days) has now been going on for 530 days or more. If China is battling against Taiwan and Taiwan is declaring readiness for war against China. America and Australia and others are looking to support Taiwan on (which incidentally they don’t even recognise Country) if there is a conflict. New paradefence is the number one priority on the agenda of a growing number of countries. It seems to me the talk about peace is pyrrhic and it’s only a matter of time before civil unrest and our pride war take over the world. I sincerely believe that Armageddon is just around the corner.

Such is my curiosity and my worry for family our country all countries and people of the world. My curiosity may be macabre but it reflects upon are you a real problem.

My oversight from yesterday, for which I apologise. August 1 every year is the universal birthday of all horses in the world. Imagine, a foal born on July 31, turns one the next day!

It is amazing how many houses built within housing estates, begin to deteriorate and look old, almost as soon as construction is completed. And they all look the same, with scant space to the front, sides or back. Crammed into space.

This editorial in The Daily Telegraph (August 2, 2024) has applicability to each and every one of us, regardless of age, occupational status, background and everything else.

MATILDAS’ FAILURE A LESSON IN HUMILITY

When a great Roman general or Emperor was granted a triumphal march through the city, it was a tradition that one of his aides would stand behind him whispering in his ear: “Remember you are mortal, remember you are mortal…”

The idea was that despite the thousands of adoring citizens screaming plaudits at the great man he would remain grounded and not mistake himself for a god.

Sadly it rarely worked in Ancient Rome and it doesn’t seem to be working too well 2000 years later in Australia if the Matildas’ Olympics campaign is anything to go by.

Australians will well remember the Matildas’ awe-inspiring performance at the World Cup last year. It electrified a generation and they were indeed feted as gods — all the more so because it was the first time many had turned their attention to the women’s team.

Now they are accused of such hubris that their special treatment at Paris, combined with clashing egos in the locker room, was responsible for what has been dubbed “an unmitigated disaster”.

Perhaps they too need reminding that the path to true greatness isn’t hubris but humility.

Teacher turnover and short term teaching appointments are regularly raised as issues in the Northern Territory. Northern Territory education is seen as being far more fluid and mobile than elsewhere in Australia.

While dissatisfaction plays a part in teacher resignation everywhere, there are local factors that come into contention. Chief among these is the considerable number of teachers who have been recruited to the Northern Territory on short-term contracts. This was seen as necessary to fill vacancies in remote and “difficult the staff” schools.

Just a few years ago, advertisements placed in the newspapers invited teachers to come to the Northern Territory to “try the place out”. Generous relocation expenses were offered, with paid southern return guaranteed after a relatively short period of time. Such offers created the impression that teachers are doing our system a favour by being here. The idea that minimal teaching effort would be good enough, became an issue.

Fortunately, this recruitment methodology appears to have been curtailed. However, there is heavy reliance on interstate and overseas teachers taking up vacancies in “out of town” areas. Part of this has to do with the lack of remote area appeal for those who undertake teacher training at the Charles Darwin University. Many preservice teachers are mature age persons with family commitments precluding them from working outside urban areas. Others are distance education trainees, preparing to teach in their home states. Unless and until we are able to reach a point of training a higher percentage of Territory grown teachers, turnover will continue to be an issue.

Training opportunities for Indigenous teachers are provided through the Batchelor Institute attached to the CDU. There have been many initiatives over the years aimed at graduating fully qualified Indigenous teachers. However self-sufficiency in teaching terms is still a work in progress.

A factor contributing to short term teaching careers is that of disappointment with what graduation offers. Many graduates are put off by system priorities . The requirement that they teach in a way that is so focussed on formal testing and assessment outcomes is off-putting. Their wish to teach holistically, seems to be at odds with prescribed system realities. The need to spend significant amounts of time on matters ranging from discipline to paperwork accountability are also disincentives. Both graduate and experienced teachers become disenchanted. That can and does lead them to resignation and the seeking of alternative careers.

Knowing about short term teaching issues is one thing. Fixing them, is another

Recent commentary has discussed shortfalls in the accomplishments of Australian students. Our students compared poorly with their Asian peers and other overseas counterparts. More money and material resources are directed towards Australian education than in many of the countries to whom we are compared, yet our results continue to be inferior.

An issue that impacts on outcomes is that of student attitude. Googling ‘student discipline’ online brings up countless reports confirming this to be the case. The latest PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) survey found that “…Australia ranked 63rd out of 68 OECD countries for classroom discipline.” (Classroom behaviour the key to future pay, Weekend Australian 19 – 20 May 2018). Dr Sue Thompson from the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) confirmed that “… the environment is challenging for teachers.” (ABC Australian Kids behaving badly in classrooms, 16.3.17)

The ABC Report by Alice Martin goes into the level and degree of student offending. “ Things you would find in a classroom: an entire class deciding to ignore the teacher in silent protest, chairs thrown, threats and overturned desks.

(Australian) Teachers came forward to tell the ABC about the biggest classroom disruptions they experienced. It did not stop there. One teacher had three Year 9 boys skip her class and smear their poo all over the school gymnasium walls, while others had been cursed with the full spectrum of profanities. The list went on…and on.”

While the level and degree of ill-disciplined behaviour varies, the issue is one that has a deleterious impact upon learning opportunities and academic outcomes.

Classroom behaviour (or misbehaviour) has a negative impact on what can be achieved. Although not talked about openly, the behaviour of many students at both primary and secondary levels, leaves a lot to be desired. Teachers spend as much, if not more time, on classroom management and discipline as they do on teaching. This is not fair on those who are keen to learn.

Classrooms and students in many of our Territory schools are not quarantined from this sad reality.

The issue is one that has its genesis in the bringing up of children. Parents as primary caregivers are responsible for the initial shaping of the values and attitudes of their offspring. Proverbs 22.6 suggests “Teach your children right from wrong and when they are grown they will still do right.” (Bible, Contemporary English Version)

If Australian students are to attain the levels achieved by their overseas counterparts, this issue needs to be recognised and corrected.

I could tell you as readers about many acts of kindness that have been offered to me by people over time I’ve appreciated each and everyone intern, and I have always tried to be kind, sincere and kind to other people.

Over many years I have helped many people and have in turn been helped by many.

It’s hard to get them to single out anyone singly and particularly in recent times. However, allow me to tell you that the School At which I was Principal for 20 years recently had its 40th-anniversary celebration. I was not able to attend on August 2, so instead tended my apologies and spent $150 on a lovely Boquet with an appropriate card thanking everyone for their great contribution to the school over a long time and wishing everyone in the present looking towards the future all the very very best.

I don’t think this was a kindness so much as a recognition and appreciation, for apart from the first two years of my principalship at that school, the remaining 18 years were the best.

We should always be kind to and recognise the goodness in others. And we should do for people what we would like them to do for us.

See Thanking with Flowers

I feel that $20,000,000 of tattoos are walking around Darwin on any one day.

During the Pitch Black defence exercise during the past few weeks, I imagine that planes have flown at least 200,000 kilometres during their sorties.

Immigration into Australia is totally beyond comprehension and out of control. We are being inundated with people, many who have no heart and soul in our country. Multiculturalism can be quite disruptive to Australia’s social and cultural fabric.

Exercise Predator and Pitch Black

It would be nice to feel reassured by Exercise Predator and Pitch Black – and the other numerous defence exercises around Darwin and the Top End -that we are a safe and protected community. Unfortunately, unrest and war are engulfing the world at a rate unprecedented in the modern era. With the ADF in all its parts so under-resourced materially and with severe personnel shortages, I worry that we would be easy pickings for a determined aggressor.

The Northern Territory has a general election of the Legislative Assembly on August 24. In the territory, we have mandated for you terms of government.

The Northern Territory government goes into Caretaker mode tomorrow 1 August – coinciding with the Universal Horses birthday – with pre-polling opening on 12 August.

There is a festival, a carnival, of extravagant postings and placings of core flutes of people seeking election all around Darwin and Palmerston.

Some electorates are saturated with the likenesses of people seeking election. In the electorate of Wanguri, One hopeful has at least 600 call flute likenesses plastered on fences and walls and roadsides and everywhere else. Many have less signage but it’s still well and truly overdone.

I fantasise that should these posters come to life, Darwin’s population would increase by 50,000 people.

Whichever party wins the election in 24 days, one thing is for sure: Fulfilling those election promises – which ARE kept – will be on the Government’s credit card.

Borrowings will take us ever further into debt. With interest payments already a significant drain on the NT treasury, the idea of “short-term gain for long-term financial pain” will come into sharper focus than ever before.

When it comes to debt, how long can the government keep kicking the can down the road before the vast amount we owe turns around to bite the territory hard?

And is that not true of governments everywhere?

DV on the increase

Domestic violence and crime belong in the same camp because both are about criminal behaviour. DV and crime are receiving ever more money and are being budgeted to try and curb their manifestation. It is not working – the frequency of both, especially DV, is on the increase. There has to be more than awareness rallies; will the government have the mental steel to invoke anti-DV practices that work?

Crime prevention – the truth of what will change post-election

We are now 26 days from the NT election. Both the Labor Government and CLP Opposition are saturating the Territory with written and verbal promises that significant attention will be given to alleviating Territorians from the scourge of crime post-August 24. Root causes, boot camps, truancy officers to ensure school attendance, holding parents accountable, the continued resurrection of the School-Based Constable program – the promises are dropping thick and fast. Sadly, based on post-election results, there will be little action, and we will all continue living in a crime-riddled Territory.

Yes

Most days pattern like most other days for me and today followed the pattern as it tends to, day after day, week after week, month after month and indeed, year after year.

Most days are like groundhog days for Poor Old Henry.

I am Poor Old Henry.

The youth in me has gone, my skin is wrinkling and stretching with age.

My fear of peaceful tranquility continuing in the NT and Australia is fading fast.

I feel cast out because I am not a First Nations person and that dispossession is increasing with the passing of time.

I am glad to be old for that means my time left on earth is shorter by far, than the time I have already had.

There is a possibility but not a

a strong probability that President Biden will see out his full term as leader.

There is a possibility and a high degree of probability, that Russia will be an aggressor in Europe for the next ten years.

THE GREATEST EVER GOALKICKER IN AUSTRALIAN RULES FOOTBALL

If you won two free plane tickets, where would you go?

In earlier posts, I have outlined the fact that, while travel was a key part of our lives from the 1970s until nearly 2000, the desire to travel as tourists and visitors has all but evaporated.

If I was given two tickets for travel, I would accept them, and then gift them to two of my grandchildren, enabling them to travel and enjoy some aspects of the world. To assist, I would support them with travel expenses to meet accommodation, side trips and entertainment costs.

As we enjoyed travel when younger, I want to offer this opportunity to two of our grandchildren so they can enjoy other places and learn, as we did, about life beyond Australia. They deserve the education, enjoyment and challenges provided by travel.

I am too old and tired to go traipsing around the world.

What is the story behind your nickname?

Like many of the questions posed on this site, I’m finding it difficult to get my head around the best way to respond. That probably comes from the time I have spent on this earth, together with the fact that “fortunately”, I continue to be blessed with quite a good memory.

I have been called many things over the years, some complimentary and others rather scarifying. Among these callouts have been a few nicknames.

My thoughts on this? Also confused by the fact that I have used many pseudonyms When writing for various publications over the years. These have generally been in the material sent to imprinted in Newspapers.

I would add that at no time when writing seriously on crucial issues, have I used a pseudonym because one needs to be genuine and attach their name to issues-focused correspondence and papers.

The nickname I use most is one identified on my blog and with several other memberships. It’s probably not a proper nickname because it is only semi-detached from my Christian name.

The identification in “Nick” is “Poor Old Henry”, Often written as showing or as one-word “pooroldhenry”. It is a nickname I use for often answering the telephone as “poor old Henry”. I also use it in other contexts.

The exciting thing about using this nomenclature Is the responses it gets from those hearing it.

“You’re not poor!”,

“You’re not old”,

“poor old Henry” – (with a disbelieving look)

“POOR OLD HENRY!!” –

th expostulation)

“Poor old Henry” – (with some semblance of sympathy).

And so on …

Do politicians standing for election, plaster the core flutes of their countenances over every conceivable space in the electorates for which they are standing?

Do politicians on high salaries wring every vestige of entitlement from their expenses and entitlements, never spending a red cent of their money?

Do politicians stretch the truth and make pre-election promises they will never keep?

There is a possibility but not a strong probability that PM Albanese will oust himself as part of the Australian Government cabinet reshuffle.

There is a possibility and quite a strong probability that Australian athletes earning gold, silver and bronze medals at the Paris Olympics, will be conferred with Orders of Australia and pobbibly Member of order of Australia medals.

There is a possibility and a strong probability that retiring ministers Linda Burney and Brendan O’Conner will be presented with honorary doctorates, possibly from several tertiary institutions.

There is a possibility but not a strong probability that Joe Biden will invite Donald Trump to the White House for afternoon tea and a chinwag.

There is a possibility but not a strong probability that America will holster its guns.

A layer of dust circles the world.

A massive layer of disease envelops earth.

There are wars renting and polluting the air we breathe.

Crowding populations evetlastingly spawned are choking space.

It is HARD to keep healthy.

I am glad I am old for that end dates my time on this mortal coil.

Blue sky,

Has fled from my life.

Replaced,

By ever thickening,

Ever darkening,

Clouds of despair.

From bright light,

To dimming.

Then penumbric reflection,

Of dusk.

Into the black night,

Deepening,

Of depression.

Like an Arctic winter,

The sun,

No longer rises.

My life,

Is without shadow,

Without illumination.

I am

Lost in tundra darkness,

24/7/365.

More and more,

I realise,

Extinguishment,

Is the only escape.

Poor Old Henry

Do politicans standing for parliament and councils, find it necessary to place hundreds and hundreds of countenance flutes onto every fence and into every conceivable space, to tell us they are standing for election?

I have an ancient vehicle that still goes well.

Registration requires an annual check for serviceability and roadworthiness, which is fine. I want to stay with this vehicle because car theft in the NT (Including Hiluxes, SUVs and flashy, expensive and new cars} is rife.

Over a short time, hundreds of vehicles worth millions of dollars have been stolen. If they are crashed, sympathy is heaped upon the thieves, especially if they are killed or maimed. Scarcely a thought is offered to vehicle owners, many of whom are still paying these vehicles off.

The fact they are up against it, with insurance premiums hiked for claims and payments still due on damaged, trashed or burnt vehicles, matters not.

My ancient vehicle will do quite nicely. I will keep my old car.

A letter in ‘The Australian’ on August 29 2019 from Bill Pannell sums up a growing deficiency among students. Pannell writers

“TV report of recent NAPLAN test results suggests a deficiency and continued deterioration in writing skills in Australian high school students.Video footage accompanying these reports makes the reason for this problem obvious: a sort of back-hand claw-like grip of pens and pencils.

Surely some basic instruction in the use of a writing implement would produce improvement in this area?”

Mr Pannell’s letter hits the nail on the head; that the ability to hold a writing tool comfortably and write with wrist and finger authority and control is fast becoming a lost skill. The skill of handwriting used to be taught in school. Handwriting lessons were part of the curriculum.

My urging and heartfelt pleading to graduating teachers is to research and reinstate handwriting lessons as a part of their teaching operation. Handwriting is vitally important and the ability to handle writing tools with authority and comfort should be reinstated. Handwriting lessons should never have been dropped.

HANDWRITING SHOULD BE TAUGHT

There is a lot of debate these days about whether or not handwriting should be taught at school. In some countries, including Finland and the United States, handwriting has gone by the by. Rather than being taught how to use a pen, all students are given the opportunity to learn keyboard skills including touch typing.

While trying to understand why this change has occurred I would be the very last person to advocate that handwriting should become a skill of the past. Rather I believe that it should endure forever.

I am certainly not down on keyboards and computers. But for children to have both handwriting and keyboards is optimal. To become mono skilled with handwriting going out the door would be altogether wrong. There are many many occasions in life when handwriting is important and indeed the only written communications method available.

When teaching handwriting, the “3 P’s” rudiments immediately comes to mind. That has to do with the methodology of writing. It is about;

* pencil or pen hold

* paper position

* posture – the way we sit in order to write most effectively and comfortably.

Stressing these things over and over again until they become habitual is important.

Part of handwriting is teaching children how to hold a pen or pencil so that it is comfortable and their fingers and wrists don’t ache. Watching people write these days can be quite a torturous experience because of the way in which writing tools are held. It’s obvious from observation that many people have never been taught how to write. That is an absolute pity.

The size (diameter) of pencils and then transition from pencil to pen is a part of writing graduation. Initially pencils are thick and as children grow older with more dexterous finger management the diameter of the pencil become smaller. When a reasonable agree of writing skill has evolved, then is the time to move on to pans. That is usually around year four to year five. Children love graduation to pens and having pen licenses issued to them by teachers.

Lined size is a part of learning to write. The younger child the bigger the line. 1 inch lines (30mm) are generally the starting point going down to around 12 mm by the time children get to the end of middle and the commencement of the upper primary years. Handbooks and exercise books can be purchased where lines are divided into thirds. This helps children when it comes to tall letters (t, f,) and letters having tales (g, y q,). The dimensions associated with writing can be trained with children developing that discernment over time. Over time, the one third divisions can be left and children go to straight lines for their writing activities.

These days specific handwriting lessons are often not offered in class. Or it may be that there is a handwriting text where children simply open and copy what’s written for them. I believe that those texts are enhanced by use of a transcription book and also with teachers demonstrating letter formation, joins, words and so on the whiteboard. The idea of children learning by copying really helps when it comes to handwriting development.

The way paper or writing books are positioned helps when it comes to the slope of letters. Writing from left to right is part of this and can be difficult particularly for left-handed children. Left-handers tend to “drag” their arms across pages as they write from left to right meaning that dog ears and crumpled pages become the norm. Train children as they finish a line of writing to lift their arm going back to the start of the

And then working across the page from left to right that overcomes the shuffling of arm on paper that can occur if this is neglected.

Steadying the paper or page onto which writing is being done helps. For this purpose the spare hand can be used. So often it is seen propping up children’s heads as they write where that writing is the task of one hand alone. Rather than the spare hand being a head prop, metaphorically describe it as an anchor which holds the boat (paper or book) steady against the wall so that it doesn’t rock back off fourth, or similar. This will involve a lot of reminding and correction easily seen as being in need of remediation when teachers are walking around classrooms.

Support children with lessons as a transition from printing to writing script style. Linked script is part of this and it does take time to teach. Little and often is important and I would suggest a handwriting lessons every day.

Remember to comment on handwriting and praise the effort that students put in to the script. Be they printing or writing this praise will help.

Handwriting is so important. It needs to be revived not neglected.

In the 1970s through until 2010 we often travelled, firstly with our children and as they turned into young adults, by ourselves.

Over the years we visited many places and had learning and insightful holidays. They were challenging and impacted by limited budgets. They were also enjoyable, great for family togetherness, and offered wonderful alternatives and coping opportunities. The holidays were great.

However, these days, with retirement being a full-time occupation, holidays at home are the best alternative available. No more crowded airports, expensive airfares, noisy and smelly destinations.

Just peace and quiet that fits an upper-end septuagenarian.

I love reflecting on our past holiday experiences, but these days I relish holidays at home.

If these benefits are about to be offered, how shortsighted – and uncaring for Australians – can the Federal Government be?

In Australia and everywhere

Before every election, for as long as I can remember, both the major parties – whether in government or opposition – have made significant promises about controlling and managing crime, particularly youth crime.

The day after the election, the elected government shelves the promises, bowing to pressure from interest groups not to act in any way other than softening existing laws.

Whichever party finds itself in opposition continues to hound and berate the new government to make a change.

If and when elected to government, the vociferousness while in opposition is suddenly muted, with the ‘new’ opposition finding a voice on the issues they are conveniently ignored while in government. Every four years, the cycle is repeated.

And one who has lived with this issue for the past three decades should not be cynical!

Homegrown pawpaw tree.

Laughter is a tranquilliser with no side effects.

Arnold Glasgow.

I ABHOR ‘I’

“I“!!

It is a selfish word. It is the most misplaced word. It is a suffocating word, smothering the notion of “we“ and “us“. It is a proud word, forever upholding individuals over the collective.

I was born a baby boomer. Then came the X and Y generations, the Millennials and the Z generation.

Going back over time the focus always used to be on “we“ in terms of the way we put others before ourselves and valued the community above ourselves.

Now that’s all gone! People think only of themselves, and what they want, and to hell with the rest!

Too many politicians are in politics for themselves and not other people. Too many CEOs of retailing and manufacturing companies are in their positions for their good, and what they want comes first. Too many people in government departments are more concerned about themselves and what they can get out of their jobs than they are about the jobs they do and the people they serve.

Service for others used to be heart service. These days it is lip service. It is not genuine but rather pretends. People who put others before themselves are a distinct minority.

Yes, the word “I” is the word I would most like to banish into extinction.

Call it human metamorphosis

You get born.

You grow up.

You become old.

You go dead.

All things being equal, you spend the greatest number of life’s years in phase three.

Barking dogs day and night.

Intermittent arguments among and between people.

Hoons hooning at any time of the day and night, the evidence being in scoured and tyre-streaked roads.

Heavy braking punctuated by car horns.

Traffic going up and down ours and an adjourning main road day and night.

The wailing of police and ambulance sirens.

Regular nighttime parties from residences near and far.

Occasionally, but not often, it is quiet.

Points of advice … continued

16. Resources and materials

These support lessons but do not become ‘the’ lesson. Smart boards support teachers but don’t replace the teaching effort that needs to be applied. It can be easy to think that resource materials occupy a more important place than they should.

Make sure what you use is appropriate to the age level of students. If using a smart board or whiteboard text, make sure it is legible and not written in a small and hard-to-decipher script.

17. Owning lessons and deference to the classroom teacher when you are in charge

Although it can be difficult to understand, please know that you are the teacher in charge, particularly when doing your last practice when you are responsible for the lessons being taught in their entirety. Don’t feel you have to check lessons step-by-step with your mentor while lessons are underway. Ask at the end for feedback but try and carry the lesson without breaking to check how things are going. In part, this will give you increased self-confidence. It will also give children or students greater confidence and belief in your sr ‘Thierry’ teacher.

18. Satisfying competencies

Remember that competencies are cumulative and build on each other. As you satisfy each competency, you need to keep that competency as part of what you are doing, while adding the next to your skills. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that once you demonstrate competency, you can tick it off, forget it and move on to the next skill area. Each competency adds to those that have gone before and they are applied altogether.

19. Conclusion

I wanted to share these thoughts with you. As a person who was once a student teacher, I remember with appreciation the work down with me and helped me develop. It is up to those who are teachers, to make sure we continue help to those who are our upcoming and developing generation of teachers.

Should you wish, feel free to contact me at henry.gray7@icloud.com

Points of advice … continued

11. Lessons and plans submitted well ahead of time

It is critically important to offer your lesson overviews and plans to your Mentor Teacher as far in advance as possible. This will give her or him time to carefully consider your planning, offering you comments and feedback you can

apply going forward. Planning and preparation are key to quality teaching and being well prepared is the essence necessary to quality teaching.

Try to avoid handing initial plans to your mentor in the morning when lessons are to be delivered. This would not give him or him sufficient time to offer you meaningful feedback or suggestions.

12. Being on time

It is also of utmost importance that you are on time at the start of each day and each period. It is good practice to be at work at least 20 minutes before the start of the day so you can set up without being flustered. Similarly, to stay at the end of the day to get as much ready as possible for the next day is wise practice.

As part of this, try and establish with your mentor a time you will meet during or at the end of the day to discuss what has happened. These collegiate (staff together) feedback sessions are essential if you at going to get the most out of your practice teaching period.

If for any reason you need to leave early, make sure you discuss this wi your mentor, then clear it with the school Leadership Team. Often an Assistant Principal is the person responsible for giving the okay on matters of necessary absence.

13. Work commitments while studying

Many students are working during the time of their training and have to fit work commitments around study obligations. Practice teaching requirements mustn’t be compromised by work obligations. If necessary, arrange with employers to change work hours so that you a not put under pressure about practice teaching requirements.

As each Teaching and Learning block is built around the requirement of hours and days, you cannot afford to cut back on required Tim allocations. If you do, it means that practice teaching requirements are not fulfilled.

14. Participating in extra opportunities available for language appreciation

One of the needs that tend to emerge for International Students is naked to avail themselves of the opportunities to practice English Language usage. While some International Students have studied and have TESOL qualifications, there are wide variations in the ways language is studied and practised in ordinary everyday situations. I am not being critical in making this comment: However,

it is true to say that the issue of language is one of the most challenging confronting overseas students. (This would of course work in reverse for a traditional Australian English speaker visiting an over-ease country and participating in teaching programs.)

I strongly urge you to participate in programs that might be available

to help, support and assist you in the area of language usage. As I visit around, there are things about the language I note concerning individual students. I will develop a document that looks at the way language is being applied to circulate it to everyone with whom I am working. It will point out some of the ways language is being used and how it might be better spoken.

15. Classroom observation

Before the course commences – the opportunity to participate in classroom observation for the sake of appreciating the way teachers and students interface and work together would be helpful. This is an expectation that children and students in Australian classrooms may act and respond in the same way as those in overseas countries. The are significant differences. Some of these differences I have spoken to individual students about; relate to attitude, concentration and general behavioural and deportment matters. Being aware of these differences before teaching practices commence could be very helpful.

To be continued

NT road deaths

Sadly, 39 people have been killed on our roads during 2024, compared with seven deaths in the same period – January to July – in 2023. However, between July and December 2023, another 24 people parked on territory roads, bringing the total to 31. The worry is the number of people killed in the 12 months of July/August 2023 to this point of time in 2024. Sixty-three people have perished in these twelve months, and that is highly alarming. What has gone wrong?

NT Election looms

Just 34 days to our NT election, I am becoming more excited and more apprehensive by the day. As a very old man, I believe this could be close to the last NT election in which I will have the privilege to vote. I hope the outcomes will bring economic furtherance, social cohesion and enhanced well-being to the Territory.

Points of awareness … continued

6. Aura of friendliness and engagement

Children and students react positively to teachers who manifest an attitude of friendliness and who are willing to share conversationally with them during lessons and activities. In the olden days, teachers in Australia used to be “standoff and starchy”. They did not interact conversationally with those whom they were teaching. These days there is a closer affiliation between teachers and students which has done a lot to add humanity to the profession.

7. Repetition of instructions and children ‘listening for repeats.’

Aim to give instructions as few times as possible. Some children and students get into the habit of deliberately not listening, meaning teachers feel obligated to go over and over and over the giving of instructions. That does not help either in time management or the flow of the lesson. Aim to get to where instructions are given, ideally once only and certainly no more than twice. This will be helpful if instructions are kept simple and brief. Sometimes instructions are too complex or have too many parts. This confuses children, and students go can get lost in directions.

8. Timing of Lessons and Breaks Needed

Make sure you stick to the times set for lessons. This is part of your planning and will be checked through by Mentor Teachers. When lesson times are confirmed, stick to those times rather than running on and going overtime. Make sure as part of this that you transition ( move) from one part of the lesson to the next within the time suggested.

When a lesson finishes and you move to the next task, make sure you follow time so the second or following lesson is not crimped (made short) of time. If you consistently run over time, the periods for recess and lunch may be reduced. Children and students need their break times for eating, playing and relaxing.

You will learn how much to plan for select periods the further you get into your practice. It takes a little while to work out time management matters for a group or class.

9. Your daily recordings of outcomes.

Always write notes at the end of each day that reflect on what you have done well and on things you might do differently and better with or during your following lessons. It is essential to make a note of your successes as well as note the items offering challenges. This ‘reflective journal ‘ is ever so important and can b easily overlooked. I suggest that you write it regarding your plans and notes used during the day, that you write conversationally and that you use it to note things you recall.

10. Self-evaluation

This follows from the above point. ‘Critically think’ about your teaching and the developments within you that are taking place. Consider the way you influence children and students and consider the way they, your Mentor Teacher and other colleagues are impacting you. I strongly suggest that you consider yourself a ‘junior colleague’ and member of the staff of your practice school.

To be continued …

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

A Compote of general material prepared for International Students undertaking the Graduate Diploma Program at CDU in 2012 and 2013.

Please note this document is written in a way that reflects my working with a group of students from several Asian Countries. They were training as teachers at Charles Darwin University. This is the first of a series. I am realigning some of my earlier notes and will send these to you as they are updated.

1. Introduction

Thank you to those who were able to come to our conversation on Thursday afternoon. I think it was helpful for us to share time. Students need to have the opportunity to talk and express opinions. Sometimes students have questions they want to ask, and there may not be a forum or the opportunity for this to happen. Another thing discussion helps is for people to realise that others could share their issues. Talking things over and working together in a group situation can be wise.

There were several things you raised which I will take on board. The requested information will also be organised in the next few days.

The issues you raised were, in part, some of those I had listed to discuss. Some other points I had in mind did not come up, so I will discuss them with you in this email.

An important thing for you to consider is that ‘at risk’ where this applies can be taken to mean ‘an extension’ being the opportunity for you to continue to develop and consolidate your teaching development and understanding. This is an essential process because it would be altogether unwise and unfair on you to suggest that everything had even been completed satisfactorily if that was not the case. That would be selling you short and also doing a disservice to the school and the children where you might go and teach on graduating from the course.

One of the things I would urge is that you consider your development to date. Take note of both the theoretical subjects completed and the practical teaching work undertaken.

Think about the things you have done well and celebrate your successes. Think about the ongoing nature of your course and things you might do differently and possibly better if you continue the program. It is always essential to self-evaluate and note your progress in a reflective journal.

2. Matter, manner and method – including VOICE

What you teach, how and why you teach, all come into the equation. Matter or content is prescribed mainly within the curriculum. Children and students need to understand the relevance and ‘why’ things are being taught, why they are necessary and how they are applied. Manner, or ‘how’ you teach, is down to your personality and characteristics. The “3M’s” all connect to help “make” a teacher.

I wanted to place particular emphasis on VOICE. While correct language use is essential, so is how teachers use their voices. It is, in my opinion, important that teachers are conversational with and when dealing with children and students. Many teachers forsake the idea of conversation and use a commanding voice with students most of the time they interact. Their vocal tones can become very unpleasant. The way we talk, as well as what we say, is significant.

3. Facial characteristics

The facial expressions teachers use are essential. It’s important that teachers look happy, relaxed and pleasant. Children and students do not respond well to those who look unhappy, uptight, overly and constantly serious or miserable. The face is an essential part of a teacher’s makeup.

4. Stance and attitude

The way teachers stand, their deportment, their physicality and the way they appear are important considerations. Look and act comfortably, but ensure posture is not overly rigid or overly relaxed and sloppy. There are set a critical example to children and students in how they stand, sit, walk and act. If you are well prepared, this will help your confidence. That will reflect through the matter of how you look and function.

Part of this is to relax with children and students. Don’t be stand-offish and aloof, and always maintain careful standards.

5. Dress standards

Be sure you understand the dress codes that apply to members of staff. If unsure, ask so that you know the dress sense applying to your school. Smart and casual generally fit.

To be continiued

International Students

I wanted to offer some thoughts and responses to matters impacting on International Students undertaking the Graduate Diploma program at Charles Darwin University.

Language as it is spoken and used situationally is the number one issue.

Understanding and appreciating the nuances and peculiarities of Australian Culture is another.

A third concern is the seeming inability of some with whom I have been working to manage time allocations. Lessons are planned to take particular amounts of time in total, with time divided sub-sectionally. Students regularly overrun on time taken for parts and the whole of lessons.

Those who have been to China and other overseas destinations to teach, could well be resource people to assist with support and cultural understanding programs. They know what it is like to be expatriate from an Australian viewpoint and could bring a lot of understanding to any program designed to minimize the impact of visa or expatriate living. Icahn immediate come up with three names of educators who have and still fill different roles who might assist.

In dealing with program development about situational living would need to take into account that cultural practices and mores vary widely from one culture to another. Chinese people for instance are often inclined to be impersonal and to remain detached and unengaged if someone in the near vicinity is stressed or if something untoward that needs attention is happening.

From this, the equalities of sympathy, empathy and engagement which impact on the “personality of culture” need to be explored. The context of community is one that varies widely from culture to culture.

At times there are variations to the way in which gender is regarded and treated. Within our multi-cultural and plurals tic society we make every effort (sometimes not successfully) to practice gender equality. Those coming from overseas may have a different take on gender appreciation. Hence there may be occasions when response to a male person who is offering advice may be somewhat different to the quality and level of response offered a female supervisor.

Those coming to our shores as International Students, particularly those who have teaching qualifications from home institutions and who have been practicing as teachers, may not always take kindly to advice. They may feel their basic understandings are in place and they are coming simply to add, at considerable personal expense, an additional qualification. It is critically important that if this the case, our University does not allow itself to agree to a “qualified qualification”. Standards need to be upheld at all times.

My initial point about spoken language and difficulties international students face in its understanding and usage suggest there is a need for a compulsory upfront unit which enables students to come to terms with the way we use language in our classrooms, schools and indeed our community.

This unit might also include for students and awareness of the way our children act and interact in classroom contexts. Overseas students come from backgrounds which generally perceive children and those receiving instruction as being passive creatures who will sit for long periods and soak up the learning offering being provided by the teacher. Dynamic interaction and response by students, in other than a receptive listing mode, does not come into the equation.

To alter the focus of the Graduate Diploma program as it is offered to International Students seems to be an altogether wise and prudent move. As the program in being modified to become a two year qualification with greater focus on pedagogy, would suggest this as the right time to effect necessary change.

There may be an anticipation on the part of some Graduate Diploma (International) students that the course is somewhat of a ‘given’ – a formality if you like. My perception is that their concern in vested in the notion of quickly completing the course so they can presented with the Diploma to frame and hang on the wall. I think they perceive the course as offering a beginning and an end, with the intervening weeks being somewhat of a time formality, to be completed as quickly as possible.

The journey itself and the learning that can and should take place is seen as being a “quick as you can” means to an end. The response of some students is to gloss over their practice periods, talking about “passing”, “failing”, and “ticking boxes” indicating that bit is done and it is time to move on to the next element. Elements are seen somewhat in isolation to each other, rather than being linked and interdependent on each other. Progress needs to

be cumulative, building on what has gone before therefore deepening and broadening the practical teaching experience.

The international student market is growing, and we must get it right for them from a satisfactory viewpoint and ensure that the student development business is working for tertiary institutions. Investment in student satisfaction with outcomes is essential in securing the future of Australian Universities as institutions training overseas candidates

Why Write About these Things – TO INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS I WAS LECTURING.

Recounting this experience to you, is to demonstrate (show) that all teachers have experiences that impact and help to shape their lives going forward (into the future). At the time as a novice teacher I felt somewhat bewildered and overwhelmed by this experience and the challenges that followed throughout the year. At times during 1970 and in following years, I wondered if teaching had been the right career choice. These days, looking back, I can answer that question affirmatively (with a ‘yes’)

If we as teachers are able to accept and master challenges, this leads to a growth in our strength of character, helping us to become resilient, resourceful educators.

I would like to email you some thoughts relating to elements of teaching, from resources to attitudes, you may find useful. They will be largely reflective and not intended in any way to impugn (criticise).

I have learned a lot on my educational journey and much of that learning has been becauyse of people helping me with development and understanding. These are the intentions (motivations) I have toward you as fellow colleagues.

All the best for your continuing development.

ELECTION (1)

The NT goes to the polls to elect a government for the next four years on August 24 – in 35 days.

I have been an NT voter since self-government in the late 1970’s. I am excited and anxious about the possible outcome as we approach the election.

Will the future of our Territory be in the hands of the Lawler Labor Team, or will the CLP under Finacchario’s leadership come from behind – the ‘behind’ being eight years in the political wilderness – and snatch the government benches?

With each day, I am growing ever more apprehensive and nervous about which way the cookie will crumble.

It has been four years in the making, and the planning and anticipation have brought us to the edge of election day.

My First Teaching Experiences

My first day of teaching was in the beginning of February 1970. We had been appointed to Warburton Ranges in remote inland Western Australia – this after having initial appointments to Merredin a large country town in WA, replaced by Warburton. I will never forget that when we arrived by road after a journey from Perth of 1,600 kilometres, being surrounded by Indigenous Australian’s who were as strange to me as the differences between your home countries and Australia might be to you. We had to find our way in a whole new and different cultural context. English was for members of that community a foreign language and for us, their dialect equally as difficult to understand.

To say we didn’t struggle through the first months as Warburton would be an understatement. Not only was thee language ‘foreign’ to us who were required to teach in English, but the cultural contexts of life were equally as different and difficult to comprehend.

Back to that first day. I was a Master on Probation. Our Principal (THEN called Headmaster) had been appointed after seven years of teaching a top level Grade Seven class in the very best primary school in Perth. It was a research school. He decided that promotion required him to undertake remote service and applied for the leadership role of any primary school in WA. Warburton Ranges was his reward – and he was as much at sea (lost for understanding) as me.

On that first day, he rang the handbell. (There were no electric bells in those days). All the children eventually lined up outside the main school doorand he started introductions. Suddenly the children, sensing some danger, turned and scattered to the four corners of the school yard.

Rushing into the yard from the community came a senior Aboriginal person trailed by his family. He was brandishing (shaking) spears and a woomera (spear thrower). His family members coming behind had an array (collection) of weapons in their hands.

It turned out that he was wanting to spear a senior girl, because she had told his daughter that he (her Father) had snakes in his legs. This was a major affront (insult) to him and he was seeking to punish her for this statement. (The ‘snakes’ were very prominent varicose veins)

The girl who had made the statement was the daughter of another senior man, who was school handyman and gardener. When he because aware of the threat to his daughter, he raced to the garden shed and came out with HIS spears and weapons, setting off in pursuit of the first man and his family.

This all worked out in the end and after a lot of verbalising (language and threats back and forth) the incident quelled (quietened and disappeared).

The children who were students had also disappeared and did not return to their first day until the second day of the school year.

My recall is based in part on memory but there are specific details in my diary – a journal maintained for most of my professional life.

Some Reflections on the ‘Way it Was’

I remember when first graduating as a teacher, thinking toward the future and feeling just how far it stretched into the distance. Then, it seemed like the future was never-ending and that my teaching career would go on and on and on. In those days, training was for only two years, with three year training for teachers in Western Australia becoming compulsory, from memory, in 1969. Earlier it wads optional (two year or three year trained choice) I commenced training in 1968 and being mature aged was required to undertake the two year training option.

Prior to determining that teaching was for me, I had been a young man working with my Dad on his farm. in those days it was rare indeed for children to have a chance to complete Year Twelve and have the chance for education beyond secondary years. Most boys on farms (in the rural area) left school at 14 or 15 years of age, going to work on farms or at menial (blue collar) jobs. Some but not many did apprenticeships.

Girls left school around the same age and many became domestics (house helps) at home or for others, with the emphasis on cooking, sewing, cleaning and often minding younger siblings (at home) or other people’s children (if employed). For some girls, there were positions in stores or if you were really lucky, a job as secretary in a bank or business.

I was lucky (or blessed) to have Parents who allowed me to complete Year Twelve for without my Leaving Certificate (equivalent to a tertiary entrance qualification) I would never have been able to undertake teacher training. I was (I think) the only boy from my primary school to go on and complete all years of secondary education.

These days I look back and reflect on just how fast it seems the years have flown by. Sometimes I think about the challenges we confronted and the learning I achieved.

FAVOURITE GAME

This is somewhat of a difficult question for me to answer.

I have never played cards (the standard pack) in my life. I wouldn’t know where to begin on analysing a pack of cards or beginning to understand any of the games played with them.

Video games are not my thing. I’ve never had a video game application on my phone, iPad, or laptop. To me, video games are a waste of time and miss use of technology. I know that not everybody will agree with me on that particular perception, but we are all different from each other.

Once upon a time I used to played board games – but that was as a child. Included were “Snakes and Letters“, “drafts”, “Chinese Checkers“, “Monopoly“, and “Test Match“.

At one stage when just a little boy, I can meet remember being mesmerised by “Pink Up Sticks”.

As I merged into adolescence and young adulthood, any desire to play board games disappeared and has never returned.

I sometimes wonder whether not playing these sorts of games has somehow or other stunted my character or deprived me of investigative undertaking and lateral thinking opportunities.

But that’s the way it is.

Do applies that look tempting and nice in supermarkets, so often reveal themselves to be full of bruises when peeled for eating?

Are local authorities so reluctant to spend money on the maintenance of assets, but willing to splurge on extravagant events?

Do so many people elected to councils and into government suddenly become as quiet as mice until the time for the next election is coming around?

To: XXXX XXXX

From: Henry Gray

Re: Comments and Observations – Written and given after conversation

Time: 11.00 am until 12:00 noon

Lesson: Maths (Measurement)

XXXX

Your preparation for this lesson (paperwork and the readying of aids) was impeccable (spot on). Lessons that are carefully thought through and planned generally succeed because they are built on a very sound planning base. Your documentation confirms that you are developing a sequence of lessons looking at various aspects of measurement. This lesson was one of a series and that was patently clear from your documentation.

It was a pleasure for a person like me, to be able to come in and see ‘at a glance’ what your lesson was about from the documentary evidence. You have a very good way of developing paperwork, including its layout. There was no clutter about your documentation and one did not have to ‘look’ in order to understand the highlights of your planning and approach. The salient (important) points ‘leapt out’ of the planning pages. Your paperwork is of the highest order.

Some thoughts:

1. Good learning continuity including sequencing was apparent from your notes and was/is being practised by you with the children.

2. Measurement was related to real life contexts, meaning the children were having the opportunity to ‘apply’ maths in life’s world contexts. That gave credence and clarity to the learning experience.

3. You were careful to explain (by word and demonstration) what types of situations require measurement by volume, what should relate to measurement by length and so on. This meant that vague and mystical understanding was overcome.

4. You asked good, exploratory questions of the children.

5. You elicited (encouraged) child driven responses to questions rather than coming out and answering questions before children had time to think about them and respond to what you had asked. That is good practice.

6. You kept children on task by gently reminding them about appropriate behaviour – when this was necessary.

7. When working with the group of children on the floor (during written exercise time), you kept a veery good eye across children who were working at their desks. This confirmed to me that you have good group management and class management skills. (It can happen that when teachers focus on groups within a class, they overlook the need to ‘keep across and be aware’ of the class as a whole. That for you was not an issue.)

8. You were careful to ensure that the explanatory and collective aspect of the lesson (prior to worksheet distribution) did not exceed a reasonable time limit. Perhaps if that section could have been a few minutes shorter, children would have had a little more time with written work but that is a minor point.

9. You were ‘posture conscious’ making sure that you worked at a height that was suitable and reassuring for children. You get down to their level when working and this builds confidence by the children in you as their teacher. You are close (without being uncomfortable close and hemming them into a small space) rather than distant – to me that is an important mannerism to have developed. It confirms you feel comfortable with the children and that they feel confident with and in you.

10. The atmosphere (tone and harmony) you generate as a teacher is very affirming (good).

11. It was very apparent that you were the teacher in charge during the lesson and the children for the most part, referred to you in the first instance. That means they understand your role in the classroom and accept you as a co-teacher.

12. Occasionally and unobtrusively (without it being obvious) you touched base with Belinda. You have in my opinion an excellent professional relationship with your Mentor, one based on mutual respect and trust.

13. Your manner as a teacher with children is excellent. You are pleasant, warm and positively affirming of and with the group. Your vocal skills in my opinion are top drawer in terms of voice tone, pitch, rhythm, intonation, speech base, word emphasis, recognition of punctuation as a part of speech delivery and so on. Your voice reminds me of the rhythmic pealing of gentle bells. Vocal tones you use, mean children warm to you as their teacher.

Some suggestions:

1. Make sure children don’t play the obfuscation (time wasting) game by having you explain over and over and over what is being done. Don’t overdo it when asking children if they understand. You did this four or five times at the front end of your lesson and some children responded in a way that caused you to go through it all again. Assume that children have knowledge of process and understanding after you have gone through initially and possibly backed up for the second time over key learning elements.

Then, if there are children who don’t quite understand, pick them up as a small group while the rest with clear understanding proceed to the next part of their exercise.

2. Rejoice in the quality of your diction and keep working on the few areas needing your continuing attention.

a. Your pronunciation and use of ‘sh’ – you tend to go to ‘s’ with words.

b. The need to be aware of the fact that some words (ie ‘sugar’ are said as ‘shugar’ although they are spelled without that sound (sh) being emphasised.

c. Similarly with ‘cl’ ie ‘in the next class’, not ‘in the next cass’.

d. Similarly with ‘th’ ie ‘thirty centimetres’ not ‘tirty centimetres’.

d. Sometimes you miss plurals, ie ‘use your coloured pencils’ not ‘use your coloured pencil’.

These are minor areas, but nevertheless needing your attention.

Conclusion

XXXX, you are on the right track and making very good progress. The litmus for people like me when relating to preservice teachers (and others) is to ask two questions:

i As a Principal, would I welcome this person as a member of my staff?

ii As a parent, would I rejoice in this person teaching my children?

In your case, the answer to both questions is “yes”.

Regards

Henry Gray

7 September 2012

NB Please forgive any spelling mistakes I have made in writing this text

FEEDBACK OFFERED A STUDENT AFTER A DAY’S OBSERVATION OF PRACTICE TEACHING

OBSERVATIONS OF XXXX LESSONS

Leanyer School

Tuesday June 13 2012

Social and Cultural Education, Poetry and Maths

My observations were from 9.00 am until 10.15 am then from 11.45 am until 12.30 pm. This was a quite extensive period of observation.

With the SOCE work, children were working, both in the classroom and also on computer in an adjacent room. They seems to be quite significantly engaged, this being evidence of their interest. When children are working next door in the, computer room, make sure you keep a regular eye on them. Children need this under duty of care arrangements. It is a legal requirement that supervision be constant.

You grouped children on the floor for the introduction and continuation

of poetry development.

Commendations

Good management of children go tended to due focus -at least initially.

Recognition and naming of children who needed to be brought back on task.

Affirming that ‘poetic license’ applies when developing poetry meaning that writers can go outside the boundaries of conventional script writing.

Revision of what had gone before was a good idea – recap is always necessary.

Your suggestion that poetry is a medium through which feelings can be

expressed was good thinking as sometimes children and adults feel restrained when using this medium.

Your speech was generally loud enough to be quite audible to children.

You talked about poem types, in terms of humor, scariness, the invoking of mood and so on. This was done initially and then when children moved on to poetry writing.

You encouraged children to persevere when they were having some difficulty in becoming motivated to write their poems.

Toward the end of the lesson, some of the children shared their efforts. Your invitation to share, their responses and the conversations children had around completed work (of their peers) was a good strategy.

Suggestions

While your voice was loud, your enunciation was not always clear. Aim for precise and deliberate speech.

Revision of your previous lesson tended to go on for too long. It need to be crisp and brief. Don’t overdo revision by going back over countless examples of what has been done, because this loses children who turn off after s period of time.

At one time a child threw a rubber at or toward another child. Be aware and make sure things like that don’t happen.

The children generally went to the writing of poetry without too much fuss.

Make sure when you go from one point of a lesson to the next, that children clearly understand what they need to do.

When using the whiteboard, make sure your writing is clear and legible. That legibility is helped by the use of fresh and ‘visually friendly’ marker pens.

Generally the darker colors – black, blue and purple stand out better than some of the lighter shades.

MATHEMATICS LESSON

The major lesson focus was on the conversion of fractions to decimals.

This concept is one that can be difficult to show and have children understand from the viewpoint of translation. Your lesson focused on whole class work with children sitting on the carpet and working with you on the whiteboard from 11.45 am until 12.10 pm. At that time children returned to thei desks in order to work the subject individually. I took this to be aimed at both consolidation and extension.

Commendations

You thanked children from time to time for the way in which they were cooperating with you. Praising endeavor is important.

You aimed to clarify the difference between mathematical expression using factions and decimals including conversion.

When children commenced written work during the second part of the lesson, you moved around and engaged with them at desk level.

Suggestions

Whiteboard markers were too light for script to be easily read. Children had some difficulty in understanding what you were writing.

Your lesson was ‘two dimensional ‘ in that it was what we call ‘chalk and talk’. It was about teaching from the whiteboard with children responding to script. Your lesson (and this applies to all Maths lessons in my opinion) would have been enhance if children had had concrete materials with which to manipulate and explore fractions and decimals concepts. “Hands on” can involve quite simple materials. If children are allowed to explore and play with concepts using concrete materials, moving to whiteboard and paper (the abstract extension) becomes easier and more meaningful.

I felt that the way in which your lesson unfolded left quite a lot of the children feeling quite unclear about both process and reason for why this knowledge is important.

From the above point, it can be more than useful to ‘set the relevance, of mathematical learning by having conversation with children about how fractions and decimals are applied in real life. This could engage an understanding of area, money, weather and climate, to name just three examples of where an understanding of fractions and decimals is applied.

Always make sure that children clearly understand when they are moving from one part of the lesson to the next. It can help to outline for children the lesson plan, so that as an introduction the lesson sequence is briefly elaborated.

GENERAL

I felt that today you were not sufficiently in control of the children. Their focus and concentration was minimal and frequently lapsed. This meant you had great difficult in keeping children on task. The general noise level was quite elevated. While you don’t want children to be as quiet as mice or so still you can hear a pin drop, neither do you want the level of conversation to be up there in terms of decibel output. Control management and classroom organization are areas that continue to challenge your authority as a teacher. I am not advocating that you bawl children out, but rather that you work on strategies that will help you gain and maintain control.

Set the boundaries and parameters of behaviors that you expect and that at acceptable at the beginning of your practice teaching periods

Make sure to stick to time when it comes to lesson development.

Plan for shorter, sharper and more engaging activities as part of the lesson constructs. Too much of the same approach for too long is a turn off for students.

CONCLUSION

There are some elements of language I will write up and share with all International Students with whom I am working.

All the best for your continuing development.

Regards

Henry Gray

14 June 2012

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

A Compote of general material prepared for International Students undertaking the Graduate Diploma Program at CDU in 2012 and 2013.

Please note this document is written in a way that reflects my working with a group of students from several Asian Countries. They were training as teachers at Charles Darwin University. This is the first of a series. I am realigning some of my earlier notes and will send these to you as they are updated.

1. Introduction

Thank you to those who were able to come to our conversation on Thursday afternoon. I think it was helpful for us to share time. Students need to have the opportunity to talk and express opinions. Sometimes students have questions they want to ask, and there may not be a forum or the opportunity for this to happen. Another thing discussion helps is for people to realise that others could share their issues. Talking things over and working together in a group situation can be wise.

There were several things you raised which I will take on board. The requested information will also be organised in the next few days.

The issues you raised were, in part, some of those I had listed to discuss. Some other points I had in mind did not come up, so I will discuss them with you in this email.

An important thing for you to consider is that ‘at risk’ where this applies can be taken to mean ‘an extension’ being the opportunity for you to continue to develop and consolidate your teaching development and understanding. This is an essential process because it would be altogether unwise and unfair on you to suggest that everything had even been completed satisfactorily if that was not the case. That would be selling you short and also doing a disservice to the school and the children where you might go and teach on graduating from the course.

One of the things I would urge is that you consider your development to date. Take note of both the theoretical subjects completed and the practical teaching work undertaken.

Think about the things you have done well and celebrate your successes. Think about the ongoing nature of your course and things you might do differently and possibly better if you continue the program. It is always essential to self-evaluate and note your progress in a reflective journal.

2. Matter, manner and method – including VOICE

What you teach, how and why you teach, all come into the equation. Matter or content is prescribed mainly within the curriculum. Children and students need to understand the relevance and ‘why’ things are being taught, why they are necessary and how they are applied. Manner, or ‘how’ you teach, is down to your personality and characteristics. The “3M’s” all connect to help “make” a teacher.

I wanted to place particular emphasis on VOICE. While correct language use is essential, so is how teachers use their voices. It is, in my opinion, important that teachers are conversational with and when dealing with children and students. Many teachers forsake the idea of conversation and use a commanding voice with students most of the time they interact. Their vocal tones can become very unpleasant. The way we talk, as well as what we say, is significant.

3. Facial characteristics

The facial expressions teachers use are essential. It’s important that teachers look happy, relaxed and pleasant. Children and students do not respond well to those who look unhappy, uptight, overly and constantly serious or miserable. The face is an essential part of a teacher’s makeup.

4. Stance and attitude

The way teachers stand, their deportment, their physicality and the way they appear are important considerations. Look and act comfortably, but ensure posture is not overly rigid or overly relaxed and sloppy. There are set a critical example to children and students in how they stand, sit, walk and act. If you are well prepared, this will help your confidence. That will reflect through the matter of how you look and function.

Part of this is to relax with children and students. Don’t be stand-offish and aloof, and always maintain careful standards.

5. Dress standards

Be sure you understand the dress codes that apply to members of staff. If unsure, ask so that you know the dress sense applying to your school. Smart and casual generally fit.

6. Aura of friendliness and engagement

Children and students react positively to teachers who manifest an attitude of friendliness and who are willing to share conversationally with them during lessons and activities. In the olden days, teachers in Australia used to be “standoff and starchy”. They did not interact conversationally with those whom they were teaching. These days there is a closer affiliation between teachers and students which has done a lot to add humanity to the profession.

7. Repetition of instructions and children ‘listening for repeats.’

Aim to give instructions as few times as possible. Some children and students get into the habit of deliberately not listening, meaning teachers feel obligated to go over and over and over the giving of instructions. That does not help either in time management or the flow of the lesson. Aim to get to where instructions are given, ideally once only and certainly no more than twice. This will be helpful if instructions are kept simple and brief. Sometimes instructions are too complex or have too many parts. This confuses children, and students go can get lost in directions.

8. Timing of Lessons and Breaks Needed

Make sure you stick to the times set for lessons. This is part of your planning and will be checked through by Mentor Teachers. When lesson times are confirmed, stick to those times rather than running on and going overtime. Make sure as part of this that you transition ( move) from one part of the lesson to the next within the time suggested.

When a lesson finishes and you move to the next task, make sure you follow time so the second or following lesson is not crimped (made short) of time. If you consistently run over time, the periods for recess and lunch may be reduced. Children and students need their break times for eating, playing and relaxing.

You will learn how much to plan for select periods the further you get into your practice. It takes a little while to work out time management matters for a group or class.

9. Your daily recordings of outcomes.

Always write notes at the end of each day that reflect on what you have done well and on things you might do differently and better with or during your following lessons. It is essential to make a note of your successes as well as note the items offering challenges. This ‘reflective journal ‘ is ever so important and can b easily overlooked. I suggest that you write it regarding your plans and notes used during the day, that you write conversationally and that you use it to note things you recall.

10. Self-evaluation

This follows from the above point. ‘Critically think’ about your teaching and the developments within you that are taking place. Consider the way you influence children and students and consider the way they, your Mentor Teacher and other colleagues are impacting you. I strongly suggest that you consider yourself a ‘junior colleague’ and member of the staff of your practice school.

11. Lessons and plans submitted well ahead of time

It is critically important to offer your lesson overviews and plans to your Mentor Teacher as far in advance as possible. This will give her or him time to carefully consider your planning, offering you comments and feedback you can

apply going forward. Planning and preparation are key to quality teaching and being well prepared is the essence necessary to quality teaching.

Try to avoid handing initial plans to your mentor in the morning when lessons are to be delivered. This would not give him or him sufficient time to offer you meaningful feedback or suggestions.

12. Being on time

It is also of utmost importance that you are on time at the start of each day and each period. It is good practice to be at work at least 20 minutes before the start of the day so you can set up without being flustered. Similarly, to stay at the end of the day to get as much ready as possible for the next day is wise practice.

As part of this, try and establish with your mentor a time you will meet during or at the end of the day to discuss what has happened. These collegiate (staff together) feedback sessions are essential if you at going to get the most out of your practice teaching period.

If for any reason you need to leave early, make sure you discuss this wi your mentor, then clear it with the school Leadership Team. Often an Assistant Principal is the person responsible for giving the okay on matters of necessary absence.

13. Work commitments while studying

Many students are working during the time of their training and have to fit work commitments around study obligations. Practice teaching requirements mustn’t be compromised by work obligations. If necessary, arrange with employers to change work hours so that you a not put under pressure about practice teaching requirements.

As each Teaching and Learning block is built around the requirement of hours and days, you cannot afford to cut back on required Tim allocations. If you do, it means that practice teaching requirements are not fulfilled.

14. Participating in extra opportunities available for language appreciation

One of the needs that tend to emerge for International Students is naked to avail themselves of the opportunities to practice English Language usage. While some International Students have studied and have TESOL qualifications, there are wide variations in the ways language is studied and practised in ordinary everyday situations. I am not being critical in making this comment: However,

it is true to say that the issue of language is one of the most challenging confronting overseas students. (This would of course work in reverse for a traditional Australian English speaker visiting an over-ease country and participating in teaching programs.)

I strongly urge you to participate in programs that might be available

to help, support and assist you in the area of language usage. As I visit around, there are things about the language I note concerning individual students. I will develop a document that looks at the way language is being applied to circulate it to everyone with whom I am working. It will point out some of the ways language is being used and how it might be better spoken.

15. Classroom observation

Before the course commences – the opportunity to participate in classroom observation for the sake of appreciating the way teachers and students interface and work together would be helpful. This is an expectation that children and students in Australian classrooms may act and respond in the same way as those in overseas countries. The are significant differences. Some of these differences I have spoken to individual students about; relate to attitude, concentration and general behavioural and deportment matters. Being aware of these differences before teaching practices commence could be very helpful.

16. Resources and materials

These support lessons but do not become ‘the’ lesson. Smart boards support teachers but don’t replace the teaching effort that needs to be applied. It can be easy to think that resource materials occupy a more important place than they should.

Make sure what you use is appropriate to the age level of students. If using a smart board or whiteboard text, make sure it is legible and not written in a small and hard-to-decipher script.

17. Owning lessons and deference to the classroom teacher when you are in charge

Although it can be difficult to understand, please know that you are the teacher in charge, particularly when doing your last practice when you are responsible for the lessons being taught in their entirety. Don’t feel you have to check lessons step-by-step with your mentor while lessons are underway. Ask at the end for feedback but try and carry the lesson without breaking to check how things are going. In part, this will give you increased self-confidence. It will also give children or students greater confidence and belief in your sr ‘Thierry’ teacher.

18. Satisfying competencies

Remember that competencies are cumulative and build on each other. As you satisfy each competency, you need to keep that competency as part of what you are doing, while adding the next to your skills. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that once you demonstrate competency, you can tick it off, forget it and move on to the next skill area. Each competency adds to those that have gone before and they are applied altogether.

19. Conclusion

I wanted to share these thoughts with you. As a person who was once a student teacher, I remember with appreciation the work down with me and helped me develop. It is up to those who are teachers, to make sure we continue help to those who are our upcoming and developing generation of teachers.

Should you wish, feel free to contact me at henry.gray7@icloud.com

Regards

Henry Gray

Soya bean milk and mashed bananas.

Fried frogs legs and Tabasco sauce.

Soursop and eggplant salad.

Hot chilli peppers on a bed of fried rice.

Artichokes in hot garlic sauce.

Sliced cheese and butter spread rollmops.

Jack fruit bites dipped In cinnamon.

We do not have pet cats or dogs. However, we share with cats on the prowl looking for birdlife or lizards to eat. They come at night, and if they successfully catch prey, then you hear all about it from the commodity of noise that results.

One of the occupations in which we had to indulge when first coming to live in our present house, we had encounters with wild cats – generally domestics that have been let loose into everlasting freedom by their owners – which used to create havoc. It costs us to hire cat traps from the City Council, then catch the cats and take them to the RSPCA. They were generally euthanised, and I felt obliged each time to offer a substantial donation to the RSPCA to look after these unwanted felines.

In a similar context, we’ve had to put up with a nuisance of dogs ever since we moved into this house. We don’t have dogs, but we indeed share the cacophony of noise raised by the canine pets of nearby householders. At times the barking is quite incessant and certainly does not enhance my appreciation for these four-legged friends of man.

Occasionally, we have had stray dogs take refuge at our place until removed by authority. On one occasion, I was required to dispose of a dog to the RSPCA. The reluctance of the group to accept the animal was somewhat tempered by a donation of $400.

Many years ago, when we lived at Angurugu on Groote Eylandt, our daughter did have a pet cat named Tinker, which had been given to her by an aunt. This was just before we set off on the journey from Perth to Darwin, A trip of around 4000 km by car. The cat most certainly made its presence felt during the trip.

It went AWOL in Darwin, and I thought that was it. However, the landlady of the motel where we were staying found the cat and airfreighted it to Great Island, where it was restored to our daughter.

Next door, fellow teachers had a dog – from memory, a pit bull. This was an aggressive dog that, on occasion, gave Tinker a hard time.

However, the cat came out on top. There was a dreadful commotion outside our house in some bushes one morning. We rushed out in time to see that Tinker had dropped from a tree onto the back of Chops, the dog, as it trespassed onto our property. The biting and the scratching that Tinker offered to Chops paid back a good deal of the angst he had caused the cat to that point in time.

Dogs and cats. We don’t have them but we sure share those in the neighbourhood.

Thank you for your indulgence this week in terms of Tuesday. We have significant ‘primary’ involvement with out-of-town grandchildren this week.

Can we aim to gather at our room (Red 6.1.03) at 1.30 pm next Tuesday October 6? I would welcome an RSVP sometime this week (by/on Friday) if that is okay.

If you have points you would like included on our discussion agenda for Tuesday, please note them down. If you were comfortable to do this, I would welcome an emailed copy beforehand as this helps with thinking time.

Points you may like to raise in terms of the ‘theory’ and ‘practical’ linkage of our course would be particularly welcome.

In my opinion it is important that you conduct a period of personal reflection (call it debriefing) following a practice teaching round. That will not happen all at once because reflections keep on manifesting themselves, sometimes at the oddest of moments. That’s when a notebook in pocket or purse can be handy, because a brief notation about the thought as it happens can be recalled at a later and more convenient time.

Your portfolio presentation and the feedback received from that will be also be helpful as you consider the weeks of the practicum.

All the best for a great day

Salutations and my best wishes. I am touching base to see if any of you would like to meet this coming Tuesday 20 October in Red 1.6.03 at 1.00 pm. In terms of my contract with CDU I am yours to employ until early in November so sing out if there is any way I can help or support you.

There are some things I aim on sending you within the next week or two, they relating to educational matters.

Please let me know, if you can, about Tuesday.

With assignments (Assignment One) being almost due I wanted to wish you the best in terms of finalising your material and readying it for presentation.

As a marker I will be looking for an affirmation of your having addressed the topic. Your individual findings are important along with verification of viewpoints from the background of literature and experience.

English as a Different Language is a matter that is more and more an issue for us as teachers. Australia is truly multicultural. Our students bring a rich mix of background in terms of langauge an culture to our schools and classrooms. Fortunately, we have come a long way in terms of recognising all our students and the need to cater for them through positive and engaging educational practices.

Can I suggest you consider discussing your assignment and its preparartion with colleagues? Bouncing off each other in a collegiate sense helps when it comes to clarifying points of view and tweaking things included in writing. Building strong networks helps us all when it comes to individual and collective development.

Thomas Sergiovanni when discussing organisations wrote that ‘people do not work in vacuuns’. That came from the 1960’s or 1970’s and it holds true. We grow professionally through sharing.Consider that assignments are a way of sharing viewpoints of students with markers. Part of that conversation is the feedback markers are able to provide students. Standards are expected and it is important that the assignment requirements are addressed. That said, markers aim to offer positive and constructive feedback.

My approach will be to offer commendation and recognise effort. I will aim to offer suggestions you might find helpful. At the end of my marking program, I will write a document that summarises the assignment from the viewpoint of overall commendations and recommendations.

All the very best with your studies and preparation toward being one of our classroom

It’s when I am asleep that I lose track of time. Upon awakening, be at an hour, two, five, ten, or even more hours later – but to me is time which in a conscious sense, has passed me by.

I confess that in all wakeful situations, I tend to be conscious of time and time that is the lapsing time spent on whatever activity be it at work or leisure and time left before it’s time to move on.

But sleep – which I need and like – is certainly time that escapes my consciousness.

BBud

n recent times, a realisation seems to be growing among  those who are involved with educational decision-making and the setting of priorities for students.  It appears to be dawning upon us all that there is more to education than university degrees and occupations based solely upon pure academics.  That should be reassuring for those who are completing secondary school and are concerned that high-level academic qualifications are a prerequisite to every occupation in life.

So much is made of university qualifications, including bachelor’s and master’s degrees and PhDs, that little else seems to count. That is far from the case.  There is a myriad of excellent occupational opportunities available, requiring practical skill sets outside the scope of degree qualifications.  The pity is that more is not made known about TAFE, VET and trade options when young people are considering career options. The thrust seems toward the need for upcoming tertiary-age students only to consider fully academically focused degree courses.

Tim Pitman and Gavin Moodie, writing for ‘The Conversation’ (Supporting part-time and online learners is the key to reducing university drop-out rates), revealed that the first-year university attrition average for Australia across all universities is under 15%.  For the NT, that attrition rate is just above 26%. This means that one in very four students has cause to re-think tertiary studies.

There are many reasons for study discontinuity, and one might well be a realisation that full-blown degree study is not the best option.  Re-thinking career options are part of this double take. It might also be that study costs and the burden of an upcoming HECS debt weigh on the student’s conscience. Withdrawal from courses by March 31 in the year of enrolment means that HECS debts are avoided.

The need for a re-think can leave students in a state of insecurity about what to do occupationally.

An option that might be considered is promoting to students the array of work opportunities available through trades training and related areas of occupational study. Our territory is desperately short of qualified people. Part of this is a misplaced belief that trades and apprentice-based training leads

to second-class jobs. That is far from the case. Thriving communities need occupational balance, and this is an area of distinct shortfall in the NT

I don’t doubt the truth of sad situational stories about Northern Territory education, published in ‘The Weekend Australian’ and ‘Australian’ weekday editions since September 23. All have been revealing of present situations.

However, I want to correct the perception that nothing good or positive has ever been part of the Aboriginal Education framework in the NT.

Chronic non-attendance has been identified as a critical deficiency.

I was the principal of Numbulwar School from September 1976 until December 1978. I was then principal of Angurugu School for four years, 1979 – 1982. During my years of leadership in those schools, attendance was not an issue: As principal, I made sure that students not only attended regularly but were also as fully supported as possible through programs offered. This was achieved through solid ties maintained with parents and councils in both communities.

Programs included instruction in the vernacular and English languages, achieved through Indigenous Assistants and Non-Indigenous teachers co-teaching primary classes.

Our secondary program prepared students for work through work experience, vocational training and trainee link programs. These programs were undertaken in partnership with the mining company GEMCO, various government instrumentalities and the local community government council.

The present situation, as reported, greatly disappoints me. However, good things happened in past times, and those educational successes deserve to be noted.

When Governments are blessed with generosity, they tend to squander, waste and fritter. Saving for a rainy day is anathema.

No matter, when up against lean periods, they borrow heavily and go on squandering, particularly if a Labour Government.

We are a country that has enthusiastically sold its birthright to a point where foreign ownership of Australian assets. Sadly, revenue raised through sales is largely squandered. Are we far away from being that Banana Republidc?

The childcare issue is one people should consider before having children. Consider also that the problem was one that parents had to manage until about 30 years ago. These days, it seems that many people give birth to children and then think about the responsibilities associated with their upbringing. These days, parents seem entitled to pass the buck for the upbringing of their children in schools and other institutions. They also hold their hands to be ‘compensated’ for the ‘inconvenience’ of having children. I pity children who grow up in our modern times feeling unwanted and unloved. Institutionalised children and dispassionate, ultimately disinterested parents do nothing for our social future.

Our political candidates in the electorate in which I live, are very close together. There is not a lot separating them from each other. August 24 is our election day.

ACHING WITHIN

Pain is painful

It’s a drain

On our psyche

As we sustain

Outlook on life

And going forward

May we be assured

By the word

Of those who know

And those who care

Sending the Lord

A soulful prayer.

That those who ache

In pain do squirm

Will be blessed with minds

That hold them firm

May their pain reduce

And go away

Rendering them

A blessed day

RUSH UPON US, DIZZY IDEAS

Innovation, innovation

The new sport that will build our nation

Let all we’ve done up until now

Stand still, as new ideas we sow.

Steady state is droll and dull

Folks waste time who think and mull

Support new ways with shouts and cheers

Let new ways fall on our ears.

Theorists here and gurus there

We need bright sparks everywhere

The world is such a sad, sorry mess

That’s all down to slow progress.

Let us race and rip and tear

Spread new ideas just everywhere

Froth and bubble is what we need

Come, innovate with lightning speed.

If belly up it all goes

With innovation on the nose

We will rush on without a care

Just leave our mess for those back there

On the subject of credit

YOURS OR THE BANKS

Two men bragged about all they had,

Houses, cars, boats, life was good not bad,

I spoke up when I could,

“Do your banks think that is good?”

Realisations made them both suddenly sad.

__________________

On selling out to the fashion of debt

DEBT IS BAD

Far too often you hear the rave,

“Go into debt, spend, don’t think to save”,

Debt is the mire that drags people down,

Ne’er letting go ’till they all drown,

Going back on your history you are left to crave.

__________________

1. Businesses will continue crashing.

2. Insurance premiums will continue to rise.

3. Rents will continue to cripple renters.

4. Spending on alcohol, tobacco and social drugs will continue to rise.

5. Childcare will continue to bring up children.

6. Scamming will continue to exponentially increase.

7. People will continue to be evermore selfish and self-centred.

8. Social media will continue to control the lives and enslave the minds of people both young and old.

9. Cognitive awareness will continue to be surrendered to gadgets that do the thinking once done by humans.

10. Wars will continue proliferating and will, possibly sooner than later, lead to World War Three.

Not what was expected.

All over the place.

Spent most of this day at the Emergency department of Royal Darwin Hospital.

Still there.

Waiting.

For outcomes and who knows when results will come through.

And of course, today is the 13th.

HOW BLESSED IS THE GIVER

Avoiding tax is a sin,

It does Australia’s Treasurer in,

Government blesses each of us I say,

With heartfelt joy then we should pay.

And fill, at once, its money bin

WISE SHOPPING?

Prior to Christmas, to their later sorrow,

People shop like there’s no tomorrow.

Each day they shop and shop AND shop,

‘Till exhausted they are forced to stop.

Credit cards confirm amounts they borrow.

BALANCE

It’s only good,

It’s only fair,

If domestic-ally,

Men do their share.

Don’t make excuse,

And do not fudge,

Be a man,

Share the drudge.

Sweep the floors,

Do the dishes,

Don’t leave it all,

To the missus.

Share everything,

Don’t be a sod,

Be equal,

In the eyes of God.

Domestic bliss,

Will come to you,

If you each share,

In all you do.

KNOW YOUR PLACE

It won’t be right,

‘Twill be a sin,

‘Till all men,

Are in the bin.

Too long they’ve reigned,

Done so much wrong,

And little right,

Men – begone!

Keep the lid on,

Don’t let them out,

Turn a deaf ear,

Ignore their shout.

‘Tis time for women,

To right the wrong,

Of male domination,

So keep them gone.

The time is right,

Women must rule,

Think otherwise?

You are a fool.

Welcome ladies,

Lead the way,

Control the world,

On this new day.

I salute you all,

And sadly grin,

At my male mistakes,

From inside the bin

What gets better with age are the decades of my life without the force of war being a primary occupation.

What has been handy for me during my lifetime – possibly Mobi good luck than anything else – is the fact that I have not been required to go to war and fight for AUSTRALIA.

The more I think about it, the more I feel that has to do with luck.

On many occasions during my lifetime I have been aware of war as it is waged in many places around the world. Possibly never more so than in 2024!

I was born just after the Second World War. I was lucky enough not to have my name pulled out of the birthday barrel requiring me to fight in the Vietnam War – a conflict that destroyed so many Australians physically and mentally.

I would hope the same for my children and grandchildren, that they would share my luck of living life without having the conflict of war settle itself upon me.

But yet I wonder in my old age whether or not I may yet see conflict that impacts Australia and our region.

The world is bristling and I think without putting a point on it, that a third world war is perilously close.

Much, much closer than we think!

Do the leaders of nations talk of peace and prepare for war?

Is there such a shortfall in defence personnel numbers in Australia and why are defence assets so antiquated and out of date?

Are Western world leaders, one and all, so frightened of Vladimir Putin and China’s President Xi?

Is Joe Biden continuing to ensure that Donald Trump will be a shoo-in come the November presidential election?

“Budgie, budgie, now is NOT the time for a shoe-feast!”

Budgie readies for dish washing.

Good morning on this dawning day, one full of more yet to be uncovered electoral promises – none of which will be kept, one which will reveal more overnight crime in Alice Springs, one which will reveal more scouring of ovals and scorch marks on roads because of hooning, one that will reveal early morning traffic chaos on our streets, one which will dawn upon those who sleep in the long grass, in shop doorways, on the sides of the roads in their vehicles – which double as their homes.

A morning leading into a day that will offer multiple challenges but few celebrations, a day when criticism and brickbats will be hurled all over the place, with scant appreciation and thanks to those deserving of commendation.

A day which will reveal litter and rubbish in multiple public places, where some businesses will be temporarily closed for lack of staff – or permanently shut because of bankruptcy.

A day that will frustrate many because of restriction on alcohol trading hours, the ability to purchase vapes, and the ever skyrocketing price of cigarettes.

A day like so many others, which may dawn with some hope, but is likely to end in hopeless despair.

A day full of political posturing, finger pointing and denial of responsibility for what is happening in the world.

What then, of tomorrow?

Is hanging by a thread.

Tonight I feel disquiet about the way the world is heading and feel more insecure and apprehensive about the future than I have for a long time.

I feel that we are on the edge of catastrophe.

Be it at a local level, territory level, Australian level, regional level, or on the global front, it seems to me that more and more is going wrong and less and less is turning out right.

Not only are we afflicted by an increasing number of man-made disasters and tragedies, but it seems that environmental factors are evermore against us.

I confess to feeling a deepening level of apprehensiveness and despondency, that has not overcome me to this extent for a long period.

Thank you to everyone who supports my blog. I appreciate your interest.

In my years of retirement, going to bed and getting up at 10 is a wee bit all over the place. Usually, it’s a case of going to be at around 1030 at night but if something on television is attracting me or there’s some support on it might be later.

Getting up is equally hard to define, sometimes it will be seven in the morning and sometimes as late as 10 o’clock.

Being a retired old man the hours are no longer as important as they used to be.

In my younger years when I was studying as well as having a full-time job as the school principal, I sometimes would go to bed as late as midnight and be up again in the morning by 4 o’clock to study before school and work took over my day.

I remember falling asleep in the location where the power went off at night time by 930 and I was studying. I was studying by candlelight and one night or shall I say early in the morning at about 2 am I knocked over some panels and caught the curtains on fire.

Fortunately, the smoke disturbed my wife who came out and we were able to extinguish the fire before too cold.

That was back then and my sleeping patterns would take probably five or 10,000 words to write about because of the times in which we lived where we were located, what our work was, and what my commitments were otherwise.

These days it is far more simple and far less requiring of stringency

One of the things giving me be stressing opportunity is to periodically shut down on my thinking sit back in an armchair put my feet up by reclining the chair, shutting my eyes and just vegging out.

Once upon a time, I used to think that this idling with an absolute sin but not any more. As an old man, I need these periods to switch off. During such times sometimes go to sleep, not for long stretches but for restful naps.

And when I come back to the land of reality I feel the better for it.

Some say the need for handwriting has become reundant. The result of this poll suggests otherwise.

Men can’t be blamed for everything.

They are both in their end days.

.With the imposition of an increasing number of barriers to free speech, fewer and fewer people have the confidence to comment freely on issues. Cartoonists have been an exception to this rule. They defy the odds by region, state, country and the world for plying their trade and calling those out who act wrongfully or make shortsighted and crass decisions.

Good cartoonists honestly and unswervingly highlight the pros and cons of issues. While they may invoke people and personalities into cartoons, they do this to magnify matters about which we should be concerned.

All cartoonists have specific drawing styles, which add to their stamp of communication by caricature. A key ingredient of cartooning is conveying a message so the reader is not left wondering what the cartoon is really about. The cartoonist’s style and relevance make his or her messages meaningful. They take on contentious matters and stimulate debate on issues.

Any law or its interpretation that would stifle the free expression of cartoonists would be a retrograde step. Cartoonists’ freedom to express deep-seated community opinions must be preserved. That right should be as sacrosanct as parliamentary privilege.

But if restriction laws were to be introduced, I am sure cartoonists would defy them and continue their trade of offering us all deep-seated awareness and understanding.

Having one’s own opinion and position on issues is undoubtedly essential. Surrendering that individual position to ascribe to populist theory is surely anathema.

An interesting outcome.

In Australia at least, it seems as if parents are too often home free when it comes to taking responsibility for their children’s nurture, care and upbringing.

THE FUTURE IS BLEAK

I find it very, very hard, and it almost impossible to feel optimistic about the future.

Truth be known, I am very, very worried about the future. I look and think about what lies ahead with fear and trepidation. I more and more think of the fact, that in these times of uncertainty, we are living day by day and month by month rather than year by year.

Everywhere around the world there is danger, uncertainty, conflict both passive and active – with voice and with weapons. I wonder where it is all going to end, and to my way of thinking Armageddon is very real.

Things are getting away from humanity.

Within my heart I hope against hope that the future will hold good for our children and for their children. It matters not so much for me because I have lived a full life, but for our children and particularly our grandchildren there is a lot of life ahead if circumstances allow a future.

Increasingly we’re talking of war and conflict. It seems that the inevitability of a major worldwide war is almost upon us. There is hardly a place in the world where conflict and physical skirmish all the way through to the Russian – Ukraine war are not taking place.

In most of the “liberated“ countries of Africa, there is Civil War, famine, major illness, and displaced populations of people numbering in their tens and hundreds of thousands. There are countless boats overcrowded with refugees, trying to flee across the Mediterranean to Greece, Italy, France, Spain, the United Kingdom, and all the other countries of Europe. Within those countries with the huge and mixed populations there is also danger civil disobedience and upset.

China and India are hugely populated, Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and other countries of Asia and Southeast Asia are so and full of people at one wonders if there is any open space left at all.

Here in Australia we only have a population of 26 1/2 million. But that number is growing by hundreds of thousands of migrants every year. While Australia is a vast country, about 90% of it is uninhabitable meaning that our C boards from Cooktown in Queensland all the way around to Geraldton Western Australia are overcrowded with dense. populations.

We are faced in Australia with a growing divide between the affluent and the poor. I debt along with Want and spending is on the rise and destitution and economic frailty is evermore manifest.

Be at north, south east or west, in Australia regionally throughout the southern normal northern hemisphere of crime is ever more prevalent, people are ever more selfish and the decent qualities of humanity ever more disappearing.

Environmentally, water saver more polluted, human waste and byproducts evermore contaminating, sea levels are rising, the Arctic and Antarctic are in meltdown, the world is getting hotter, bushfires are raging, floods, pestilence and earthquake along with hurricanes, cyclones, tsunami’s, loss of natural vegetation and habitat, extinction of species, and the grinding down of our planet, Does nothing but cement thoughts of gloom and doom.

I would like to think that there is hope for the future. However, that is becoming evermore hard to see and a future that’s positive seems to be shrinking into the background becoming a little more than a pipe dream.

Does anyone care? This is an awful story.

OBSERVATION

SO MUCH of the support in every budget is offered to those who contribute so little to the Australian economy. And so much government largesse goes to organisations like the NDIS, childcare, Aboriginal support organisations and so on, where much of it is consumed by mismanagement and, in some cases, embezzlement, false and inflated claims and fraud. I am always amazed at two significant areas my tax statement advises of my contribution – welfare and interest on Australia’s national debt. Those who are self-sufficient and who abhor/avoid debt cannot be enamoured by these areas of ‘contribution’.

PREDICTION

I predict that in times to come – and before 2050 – Australia will have a Muslim Prime Minister and that there will be suburbs and areas in which Sharia Law is enforced. That will happen because state and territory governments will be increasingly made up of those of the Muslim faith who have been voted into office.

Interesting – and an outcome with which I agree.

An interesting outcome.

15 RUNNING SCARED OF LOSING SEATS

One of the things that impressed me back over time was the fact that political parties seemed – and I don’t think that was my imagination – to be far more focused on principles, values, and direction than is the case in 2024. It seems to me that major political parties in Australia are running scared,

They are frightened of offending people from different ethnic backgrounds and persuasions. Because of this they rather mute their policies, watwering down values and principles that we should be upholding.

Running scared manifested itself in the way governments acquiesce to interest groups and listen to the loudest voices, even when those people are in a distinct minority. Governments waiver about all over the place and become ineffectual and ineffective.

The most recent example of this in Australia is how the government is trying to deal with the issue of the Israel and Palestine conflict. The government is frightened to take a position, with members of the party in government Bending over backwards to avoid offending voters who may turn against them in their own Electrics.

Increasingly, it seems that the government within Australia is operating quickly with a confused focus. That’s not what we need in the times in which we are now living.

Life without music would be deadly dull and frightfully boring. For me, music adds vitality and colour. Country and Western music is my favourite genre, closely followed by folk music. Blues music comes third along with my occasional recourse to Rock and Roll. My favourite group was and still is, The Seekers. I have a couple of their CDs and they are treasured.

The Father of Country and Western Music in Australia was Slim Dusty. He was a wonderful soloist and with his wife Joy McKeen part of a beautiful musical duo. McKeen wrote many of their songs and was a writer for other C And W singers.

I love music and singing, often breaking into song. Some of those are my creation, adapted from poems I have written.

Yes, I like music but the modern-day genres do not turn me on. Musically speaking, I prefer to stay lost in history, rather than chancing my luck in the modern musical era.

Do people cry poor when they spend so much on cigarettes ( $1.90 Aust for each cigarette smoked), alcohol (around $10 for a pint of beer), drugs and gambling?

Are governments prepared to absolve parents from responsibility for the care, nurture and upbringing of their children?

Has education become so trivialized, with many tertiary courses offering little more than Mickey Mouse qualifications?

Do motorists so deliberately and blindly flout road rules in both urban and country settings?

It is both sad and disastrous to realise what is confronting the Democrats in the lead-up to the November presidential election. It is heartbreaking to see President Biden, a physically broken and mentally challenged man, absolutely determined to go around again in search of another four-year term. His insistence will, if he continues, lead to a Democratic wipeout proportionate to what has happened to the Conservatives in the UK.

14. TURNING LEFT AND GOING WOKE

Following on from the LGPTIQ acknowledgements and the elevation of this and other groups, it’s important to add that in the last decade this has not been in any way a singular term or change by Australia, in social and institutional terms, this country has taken a significant turn to the left in political extremes and social preferences.

We have also become a country that is almost the “Wokest“ country in the world. We followed on from the American trends in that regard.

While some countries are now retreating slightly from woke extremes, in Australia, they are becoming more ingrained and indelible than ever. Our society is becoming very hard to recognise because of the “splintering“ of social and economic fabric based on group preferences.

These changes are becoming very embedded within the school curriculum and also are being evermore loudly exposed expose by universities.

Where this is all going to end I do not know for the country is on a track that is almost spiralling in a directionless context. Everyone wants to be leading us in all sorts of directions and that is certainly a fragment of pragmatic perspective. It’s true to say that people both young and old are often confused by the lack of clarity that is now a part of our society. And that is leading to an epidemic of mental issues.

TWO WORDS – “I DON’T”

How do I use social media? In two words “I don’t“.

I have never had a social media account and never will. I have seen too many people get into all sorts of situations because of social media – I believe that it does more harm than good.

Thousands and thousands of people of all ages and hurt beyond reason because of the scarifying comments, trolling, putdowns and other shortfalls of social media.

I like blogging and treat that professionally as I do my LinkedIn account. And they will do me just fine.

People can like me, hate me, envy me throw verbal Barrage of negativism at me or anything else. But I know nothing about it because there will never be any revelations to me of anything at all that turns up on my social media accounts.

I am better off without social media and that’s the way it will continue to be.

My family and I took a fantastic holiday of seven weeks in New Zealand in 1978. 

We campervanned around the North Island, crossed the Cook Strait, and campervanned around most of the South Island. 

Apart from some issues with campervan reliability – which were made good – it was a fantastic trip. 

That was when NZ had a population of just over two million. 

These days, with the population – notwithstanding those leaving – of four million, it may be an altogether different experience. 

That trip was one of the best we ever did, and I could spend hours recounting the beautiful times and experiences of that visit 46 years ago.

13. THE LGBTQIA FOCUS

During the past decade, Australia has increasingly supported and applauded the LGBTQIA community. Same-sex marriage is now a part of the equation, and discrimination against people because of their particular identifications has been eased. Recognition of human rights is essential and is being achieved, with the normalisation of special groups becoming a reality.

I think that is all fine, but the pendulum is now swinging too far the other way. There are so many recognitions, so many celebrations, so many parades, and so much hype about the LGBTQIA community that it seems Australia could be regarded as a country where everyday heterosexual living is almost hidden. Recently, I suggested, because of the number of commemorative on special occasions that are being held in an ever-multiplying way to recognise these communities, that we should have a heterosexual parade, One focusing on mothers, fathers and their children.

Balance is important, and we are moving to a point where that is being achieved—or at least was. But now the tip, or rather the tipping point, is much too far the other way.

We had in balance. We achieved equilibrium and their community, and now, with the pendulum swing, the imbalance is being achieved in the opposite direction.

I have interests across a broad range of fields but do not consider myself to be an authority in any area.

Listening, sharing opinions, making suggestions, dwelling on what others say on particular subjects, and at the end of it all looking at the way people have worked together on the issues has been and continues to be my practice.

Shared contribution is the optimal way of progressing on matters under consideration. In that way, everybody is a part of the process.

To introduce levels and degrees of importance of people dealing with matters is presumptive and somewhat artificial. That can give people airs and graces, self-defeating of groupship.

That is not the way I operate. I make decisions and have done so all my life – but not from any elevated pedestal.

By far and away the most difficult in the most challenging phase of my life that I had to call Time upon, was my teaching and educational career. That stretched from 1968 until January 2012.

I was 22 when I went to teachers’ college, and just short of 66 when I retired.

The emotions within me and my love of the job together with appreciation of people with whom I connected made this a hard choice – to retire is so final!

However, sense and sensibility had to prevail. I had to realise and accept that my physical energies were no longer as boundless as they used to be and that my mental acuity and work no longer appreciated my working for 18 hours a day at certain times, on tasks associated with my school.

It was wise for me to retire while I was at the top of my profession. I would have hated to begin declining on the job.

Twelve years on I look back on my career with fond memories and appreciation. Although I did not want to go, I’m glad I did.

I dreamt that I received the following letter from the City of Darwin Council.

Dear Mr Gray,

On behalf of the Council, I am writing to thank you for the long-time care and dedication you have given to maintaining the verge in front of your house.

When you first moved into 190 Leanyer Drive at the beginning of 1987, the front verge was nothing but grass, None of it ever having been planted and looked after.

The fact that you worked on the verge of getting rid of the dentris, including clay within the subsoil, and then covering it by manually spreading the load of topsoil contributed via the council, was the start of an upgrade that to date, has lasted close to 40 years.

Council knows that you planted the entire area of your verge with buffalo grass and installed an irrigation system to your yard that extended to include watering at your expense, to the verge.

We also note the various stages. The front verge was planted with African desert rose plants and, more recently, frangipanes. The attractiveness of your verge – our property – has drawn many comments of appreciation.

We appreciate that the verge is maintained to a high level by regular watering and fertilising. When your irrigation system, installed some 13 years ago, became obsolete, you upgraded your yard with a new system and again included the verge with that system upgrade.

We appreciate the money you have spent in close to 40 years to transfrom your verge – our property – into a strip permanently maintained and attractive to behold.

Thank you so much for caring. was

Yours faithfully,

Darwin City Council.

October 17 2023.

12. TAXING REGIMES

The blessing our country offers palls more than a little because of taxation regimes.

Pay as you earn (PAYE) people contribute, in proportionate terms, a lot more than their due.

Those who make up corporate Australia and the very wealthy know all the tricks for legitimately minimising their tax liabilities.

Their tax accountants serve them well.  

Opportunities for tax deduction are not flagged in a public context.

One has to ‘find out’ about concessions, therefore being disadvantaged

11. SELLING  RESOURCES

We counter the blessings Australia could offer by selling our natural resources with an almost wanton abandon.  

Natural gas is an example. Selling virtually all our gas by long-term contract negotiation onto the overseas futures market means we are destitute in terms of our own domestic needs.

While future sales are necessary to secure the capital investment in establishing extraction and refining facilities, we have hardly been smart by going the ‘sell all’ route.

Many years ago I gave a speech that touches on the notion of romance at the Northern Territory A Stepford it was in the prepared speech section and I won the competition that evening.

The subject I chose was “The evolution of relationships“.

I went through four phases calling them courting, camping, nesting, and blanket splitting.

The subject was one that intrigue me because I’d seen those four phases repeated every so often in the lives of people I knew.

I have read about and seen the evidence of very short-term romances. I’m not surprised at the brevity of many relationships. However, in the context of my own life, there has only ever been one romance for me.

Just over 54 years ago I married the lady who I had known for several years and who I love very much. Fortunately, that was reciprocated.

To this day that romance lives on.

My first romance is my last romance, my forever romance

10. ADDICTED TO ENTERTAINMENT

Australians often abrogate their responsibilities to real life because of their addiction to entertainment. It is a case of escaping from reality and the responsibilities of life at all costs. In every large city and provincial city, our citizens drink and carouse for all hours of the late night and early morning. How can they possibly come up for work the next day?  

We are a population living from one holiday to the next, in between times, while time idly and spending plenty on the alcohol and social drugs we take into our systems. We are a population sadly sliding downward.

9. SELLING THE FARM AND THE ESSENTIALS

This warrants more comment. Not only do we sell our companies to overseas ownership, but our country has also gone from heavyweight to lightweight. We sell millions of tonnes of ‘Australia’ offshore each year –

 then buy back as manufactured products. Never would we put that resource through local manufacturing processes.  We mine gas and commit almost all (WA excepted) to fulfilling overseas contracts. We sell it in the futures market, leaving our domestic situation short and compensating by charging hugely for energy consumption on the home front.   Now Treasurer Hockey wants states and territories to sell government-owned assets, using money to commit to infrastructure – which will depreciate with time. So, we are going toward short-term gain for long-term pain. Our blessed country is in a poor state of health.

I am on the record as being a person who made sure that appreciation was conveyed to all those with whom I associated during a long educational career. I was very aware of the fact that so often leaders within organisations are handy with the brickbats but rather sparing when it comes to the bouquets.

Thanking and appreciating the efforts of others, I discovered, does a great deal to build a sense of oneness and unity within organisations. People are involved because they want to, not because they have two.

I also learned that one of the best ways of acquiring positive recognition – as opposed to ascribing power – was to treat everybody equally, have an appreciation for all, and make sure that was conveyed.

Now in my second decade of retirement, I try to appreciate people I meet in and around in casual ways in the life that I lead. That includes appreciating quality service in shops, work done by security guards, the attitude of taxi and bus drivers, How trolley boys in the shop assistant manage their responsibilities and someone I recognised. If somebody is speaking clearly and the role of their filling a very clear I let them know.

That appreciation extends from the family in an outbound way to all those with whom I associate.

8.’AGE AND ERA’ CHANGE

The country we live in is hindered by moving from the ‘age of responsibility’ to the ‘age of entitlement’.

Hands are held out for government largesse. Young and old people say, ‘Give me, give me’.

No longer is the country a place where people accept responsibility for their destiny and forge a path to the future based on effort and enterprise.

We expect to be ‘kept’ and care not to contribute through work and effort to the development of this place.

Decreasing numbers of people show initiative, enterprise and resourcefulness.

Increasing numbers are parasitic, living off benefits derived from the public purse.

7. THE ‘WE’ GENERATION

When growing up, I was taught by my parents that my life was ‘not for myself alone’.

I should be there to support and help others and be aware of social obligations.

I needed to consider the ‘we’ when it came to interacting with others. Sadly, this wise historical approach has largely gone by the board in our modern times.

Advertising and attitude ingrained into young and old is that life is about ‘I’. ‘I’ am all important, and nothing else matters.

This attitude, if practised, tears at the heart of our social fabric, reducing it to tatters.