The subject for this years iteration of the Hoyoake Debate was: This house accepts the saying “It's a man's world” as being relevant in the present day led to a spirited contest between St Kentigern College and Pakuranga College.

The St Kentigern team comprising Ayden Singh-Ali, Oliver Walter and Evie Chang had the affirmative and took the stance that while it shouldn’t be a man’s world, unfortunately it still was. Equality had not yet been achieved while men still execised greater political, economic and social power.

The three young women representing Pakuranga College, Chiku Choruwa, Elaine Ye and Maryam Suhib argued that the tide had shifted and that we only had to look at the education statistics to be aware that women in much of the world were better educated and outperforming men in many areas despite historical discriminatory barriers that were still to be lowered.

In a great innovation, two Macleans College students joined with Jeanette Roberts in judging the moot. Haran Thirumeni and Finn Wai-Po provided us with a lucid explanation of why the judges ultimately awarded the debate to St Kentigern. Betty Holyoake was on hand to present the prizes, reminding us all that behind every man is a good woman.

In a new initiative for the club on the evening of the 6th of August we ran the inaugural  inter-school quiz competition. 

With more than 100 people in attendance eight teams battled it out in the areas of My City, My Country and My World. 

It was obvious that a lot of hard work and effort contributed to that success, especially from Govind Pani and President Sandhya. The evening and the competition was well run and the questions were age appropriate and provided a superb base for determining this years winners. 

 A team from Macleans College eventually came out on top. The way the competition was received by local schools and those who attended augers well for it's long term future.

Recently I received a note from past member, Sylvie Wilkinson who as chair of the Rae and Ernie Johnston Memorial Trust, had been able to support Edgewater College with funding for the transport of  a very large group to the Big Sing choir competition held at the Town Hall. Below is the report to Sylvie from Shaun who is Head of Music at the school. 

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Think about an orchestra. Visualise  who might be in the orchestra playing and in the auditorium watching and listening.

The Sistema Aotearoa music programme is very unlikely  to be what you are visualising. 

The Sistema programme is based on one that originated in the slums of Karacas , Capital of Venezuala. In our Auckland version of that programme around 1000 children ranging from six to sixteen years take part in learning orchestral instruments. Twice a year they hold a concert for very enthusiastic families and members of the public assisted by members of the Auckland Philharmonia. 

Each year the fundraiser that generates the most funds that are not already allocated to a good cause is the Riverside Carnival.

Great news! The Howick Local Board has confirmed that it is supporting this event again. 

It's a win-win. The Council gets to support a well loved and attended local community event with a cost structure that would be very difficult for the Council itself to match. The Rotary Club of Pakuranga gets to work directly in the community and to use the funds the event generates on deserving local causes.