Tawa Intermediate Students: We’re too young to vote but we still have a voice

13 August 2012

Media release for immediate use

12 Year old Tawa Intermediate students Helen Oliver, Stephen Dyoco, Jade Gibbons-Lawrie and Lachlan Patterson might not be able to vote but on Wednesday they will giving evidence before Parliament’s education and science select committee on digital learning.

“Schools these days aren’t just about listening to the teacher drone on for ages about why pi equals 3.1415927,” said Year 8 student Lachlan Patterson, “Teachers use hands on learning to help students learn.”

“As part of our school-wide topic on citizenship our class decided that we wanted to make a submission to the inquiry because we want more digital learning and more comfortable classrooms for students,” said Year 8 Stephen Dyoco.

“So we made a video and put it on youtube for the MPs to see. We were pretty proud when chairwoman Nikki Kaye commented on our classroom blog.” said Year 8 Jade Gibbons-Lawrie.

“I’m feeling nervous about speaking in front of the MPs but I’m excited about making New Zealand schools better and more comfortable places to learn,” said Year 7 student Helen Oliver.

In preparation for the submission the students visited Amesbury School, skyped Room 21 at Point England school in Auckland where the students have 1:1 notebooks, and met with lobbyist Mark Unsworth.”

Written submissions by Stephanie Thompson, their classroom teacher and Carolyn Stuart their principal were also made to the Select Committee. The submissions will be heard on 15 August beginning at 11.15am at Parliament.

ENDS

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