On 19 January, New Zealand’s Prime Minister announced that not only would she not seek re-election this year, she was resigning with effect on 7 February. On 19 January, New Zealand’s Prime Minister announced that not only would she not seek re-election this year, she was resigning with effect on 7 February. Ms Ardern said … Continue reading “Jacinda Ardern Resigns as NZ Prime Minister”
The British Pavillion at the Venice Architecture Biennale this year explored the theme of public spaces that are privately owned, like garden squares in London, our high streets or even pubs. It would make a perfect extension to Shine Bright 1e File 2 London is my backyard, or any sequence on espace privé et espace … Continue reading “The Garden of Privatised Delights”
Captain Sir Tom Moore, the WWII veteran who raised British spirits during lockdown 1 with his sponsored walk to raise funds for the NHS before his 100th birthday, died in hospital on 2 February. “Captain Tom”, as he soon became known, became the positive role model people really needed during the pandemic. He had originally … Continue reading “The Last Post for Captain Tom”
New Zealand’s 17 October election was originally scheduled on a historically significant day: 19 September, the annual anniversary of the date in 1893 when New Zealand women became the first in the world to legally vote. It was postponed because of Covid but was historic anyway: the Labour party became the first in 24 years … Continue reading “New Zealand gives Jacinda Ardern and Labour a Landslide”
Governments, ministers and authorities around the world are asking their populations to make sacrifices in the fight to contain Covid-19. In New Zealand, the government and public-service leaders are showing that they really will share the efforts they are asking others to make. On 15 April, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that she, her ministers … Continue reading “Putting Your Money Where Your Mouth Is”
Traditionally, as they approach 100 years old, most British people’s main ambition is to receive a telegram from the Queen on their birthday. Captain Tom Moore decided to walk using a walking frame to raise money for National Health Service charities during the Covid-19 pandemic. But he had no idea the success his campaign would … Continue reading “Raising Funds for the NHS at Age 99”
This B1 resource is around a positive news story your pupils can study during the current quarantine. An article, and a video report from Canadian CTV News give examples of the trend for “caremongering”: using social media to organise, or ask for help during the Covid-19 lockdown. The downloadable worksheet can be filled in directly … Continue reading “Caremongering Article and Video”
This video is a positive news story your pupils can study during the current quarantine. This report from Canadian CTV News gives examples of the trend for “caremongering”: using social media to organise, or ask for help during the Covid-19 quarantine. It’s just two minutes long and can be used from B1 by pupils at … Continue reading “Caremongering: positive news video”
You can always count on the Canadians to find the positive in anything. In this case, the coronavirus, social distancing, quarantine and everything else involved in the current situation. Canadians decided to combat the scaremongering about the virus by forming groups to help each other under the title “caremongering”. The trend started in Toronto, where … Continue reading “Word of the Moment: Caremongering”
Students from across the New Zealand city gathered for a vigil in honour of those who were killed or injured in the Christchurch mosque shootings. They performed an emotional haka together. The vigil, one of several which have taken place, was organised by Okirano Tilaia, the Head Boy of nearby Cashmere High School. At least … Continue reading “Christchurch Students Perform Haka for Shooting Victims”