Letters: Phonics isn’t the only way to learn reading; attending a restorative justice meeting

OPINION

Why is the government addicted to sounds?

Education Secretary Erica Stanford’s enthusiasm for a “one shoe fits all” phonics-based reading strategy is too neat and tidy for such an early stage in her career.

It shows little understanding or appreciation of teachers’ ability to read a running record, observe difficulties, and implement the appropriate strategy for that child.

Children come from different backgrounds and require different approaches to reading. Phonics is one approach, and always has been.

It was disappointing to hear her reject images as a clue to help unlock the meaning of text. This showed little understanding for the smart collaboration of the author/illustrator to let children discover for themselves.

The joy on a child’s face when they ‘get it’ is rewarding and encourages more confident participation. Passing on a love for literature is of the utmost importance, as teachers of the ‘hidden curriculum’ understand.

By all means, emphasize phonics, but not at the expense of other strategies that we know work – the strategies that engage our young students to learn.

Emma Mackintosh, Birkenhead.

Restorative justice

It was an attempt at democracy and legal resolution to attend a sentencing for the theft of my car.

But I wanted the defendant to let me know why she would steal the vehicle that kindly gave her, her daughter, and her puppy a ride home after her request was granted just an hour earlier.

To make matters worse, they ransacked my car, taking $2,000 worth of handicrafts made in East Africa that our charity sells to support women with disabilities (most of which were recovered a day later by the police efficiency).

Through a teleconference call with the defendant on life-size screens spread throughout the courtroom, I found it valuable for a petty criminal to meet one of their victims and hear the words ‘you abused me’.

The judge, police and lawyers were very supportive of my impact statement urging the defendant to change her behavior once she gets out of prison and to stop wasting all our time, our taxpayers’ money and, above all, our faith in fellow human beings. Kiwis.

Samaritans should not have to pay towing fees, make police statements and wait years for reimbursement for stolen goods.

But P was the biggest problem and people who suffer from it are not really able to discipline themselves.

May more victims go to our courts to hopefully bring crimes to a mediated and humane conclusion.

Rob Buchanan, Kerikeri.

Urban distribution

On several major parts of my road the old houses have been removed and new multiple dwellings built – in one case 12 on the site.

I agree that we need to use the land more efficiently and that Auckland should not spread further. However, this has led to cars being parked on both sides of the road.

When driving up or down the road, you must enter the one-way area on the left, with cars stopping courteously to allow you to move.

There are wide verges on both sides of the road where you can park. There is no footpath on one side and cars can easily park in a corner, taking them off the road, making it less busy and safer.

Auckland Council’s bylaws are somewhat gray in this area. It is legal to park on the shoulder if there is no sign prohibiting this.

Winter would make the grass muddy and unattractive, but why not build special parking lots with light paving stones?

Rosemary Balme, Howick.

Promises on the front line

So much for election promises. Christopher Luxon stated that there would be job losses, but not in frontline services.

How much more frontline are these jobs that have been cut? Cutting off lawyers for Oranga Tamariki children in court; non-replacement of absent nurses on wards due to illness, cuts in double shifts of nurses; nature conservation, track maintenance, toilet, waste and hut cleaning etc.; healthy, hot school lunches. And many more of these essential frontline jobs.

Many of these workers have mortgages and families. How many more will receive Jobseeker’s Allowance at taxpayer expense? No job, no wages, no PAYE for the public purse.

Promises, promises!

Marie Kaire, Whangarei.

Cut the tax cuts

Correspondent Frank Olsson is absolutely right when he says that we should drop the tax cuts because they mainly reward those with higher salaries and earnings, including our well-paid parliamentarians of course (Weekend herald4th of May).

Instead, we should simply copy Australia and make the first $20,000 we earn each year tax-free, because low-income earners, including retirees, are helped far more than the rich. Just do it, retroactive to April 1 of this year.

Murray Hunter, Titirangi.