Selwyn Times: April 10, 2019

6 Wednesday April 10 2019
Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
News
University back
to pre-quake
numbers
THE EFFECTS of the
Canterbury earthquakes on
student numbers at Lincoln
University may finally be over.
The total number of equivalent
full-time students enrolling for
semester one this year is the
highest since the province was
hit by the series of quakes which
began in September 2010.
In 2010, semester one EFTS
stood at 1067 – in 2019 they are
at 1061.
Lincoln University acting
vice-chancellor Bruce McKenzie
said the university had worked
hard to regain the pre-quake
numbers.
Said Professor McKenzie:
“I think the figures show that
Lincoln University is seen as
an institution which provides a
world-class education, and the
province provides opportunities
for a great future. It is a vote of
confidence in us, and in Canterbury.”
He said one of the focuses
in 2019 was to continuing to
grow the number of Maori and
Pasifika students at Lincoln.
Six new scholarships started
this year to support and
encourage Maori and Pasifika
students to achieve their
aspirations.
Solution to crowding on school bus
• By Anan Zaki
THE MINISTRY of Education
has made a U-turn on not
funding an additional bus for
West Melton School’s technology
class.
Board chairman Sara Paris
said the school was given
funding in the same week that
Selwyn Times published the story
about its cramped bus on March
13.
Previously,
the school only
had funding for
one 38-seater
bus to transport
66 year 7 and 8
FULL LOAD: Sixty-six West Melton School children sit and stand for room when the school only
had one bus for its weekly technology class.
PHOTO: MARTIN HUNTER
pupils to their
weekly technol-
Sara Paris
ogy class at Hornby High School.
The Ministry has now provided
funding for an additional bus.
Ms Paris said the pupils were
happy with the decision to make
funding available.
She said she could not be certain
if public pressure played a
role in the Ministry changing its
mind about funding the bus.
“We did everything in our
power,” she said.
The school was also prepared
to self-fund the bus if it had to,
Ms Paris said.
“As a board we had actually
made a decision to fund it [the
additional bus]. Because a number
of us [at the board] have children
in the class and it doesn’t sit
well with us.”
The children were also happy
with the move. Ms Paris said
she now hopes seat belts become
mandatory on all school buses
across the country.
“I think it would be really nice
if they had seat belts on the bus if
you want my honest opinion.”
“It’s kind of ludicrous . . .
maybe that’s just my view but I
would just love to see seat belts
on school buses,” Ms Paris
said.
Said Ministry of Education
head of education infrastructure
Kim Shannon:
“Although the bus was being
operated safely within its legal
limits, enrolment information
and growth projections for West
Melton School showed a rapidly
SELWYN TIMES
increasing roll which would have
necessitated an additional bus
before too long.”
Selwyn MP Amy Adams
was pleased the Ministry of
Education changed its mind.
“I am relieved that the
Ministry has seen sense on this
matter and we have achieved a
good outcome for the students
and staff concerned,” Ms Adams
said
ADVERTISEMENT
Steam Extravaganza
The weekend of the 13th and 14th April
promises to demonstrate how steam
worked when steam was king.
Steam Scene can be found on McLean’s
Island Road. The day is a living,
breathing, educational attraction where
steam powered machinery can be
experienced in all its glory. Devoted
enthusiasts show you what these engines
did in the early 1900’s.
The Society has recently celebrated
its 50th Anniversary. It has turned
the Steam Extravaganza into New
Zealand’s premier Steam Gathering
with exhibits ranging from models to 2
steam locomotives. We will be expecting
about 25 traction engines and other
steam driven vehicles to be on display
and operating working displays of saw
milling, sheep shearing, grain threshing,
road making, stone crushing and black
smithing. A blacksmith will be shaping
hot metal with a manner on an Anvil.
A free steam train ride will be
circulating around the perimeter of
Steam Scene with two open-sided
carriages that people can ride on to view
what is going on around you.
The Steam Museum will be operating
its many steam machines from a
wood-fired boiler. This Museum
is now known worldwide as a
must see for steam enthusiasts who
love watching the engines quietly
ticking over. Family fun can be had
looking at the scenery, watching
and listening to the huge Model
Railway in the Museum. The
scenery is based on England in
the 1950’s.
A miniature railway is running all day
with rides costing $2.00. Major working
displays in purposely built covered
areas will be staggered throughout the
weekend making it as easy to see how big
shiny pistons, driving rods and flywheels
are linked together to turn steam into
motive power. You can marvel at the
workers who had to work long hours on
these machines.
Food and drink stalls will be on hand
for refreshments. There is plenty of off
road parking. Gates will open at 9am
with the final demonstrations at approx.
2pm on both days.
There is Eftpos on site. Entry fee is
$15 per adult and children under 15 are
free.
No dogs are permitted.
People of all ages can get up-close to
machines and experience themselves
what it was like to operate such vehicles
in the old days as well as the sounds and
aromas generated by them.
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