John Lewis

If New Zealand schools fail to embrace the new New Zealand Curriculum, they will continue to put pupils with dyslexia on a path to crime, a visiting authority has told Otago teachers and parents.

Some might say arranging one of Bach's great violin works to be performed by clarinet, saxophone, flute, trumpet, trombone, two violins, two pianos and a tambourine is a travesty.

There is more to winning a Maori speech competition than the prizes, Matoia Wilson says.

In tough economic times, Forbury School in Dunedin would be among those noticing the financial strain on families.

Strong winds gusting up to 109kmh have hammered Dunedin overnight but the city appears to have escaped any serious damage.

If Pacific Blue's transtasman flights from Dunedin and Queenstown are well supported, flights to other Australian destinations will be added, airline bosses say.

A Dunedin primary school will continue with its plans to introduce a red and black uniform for pupils, despite objections from one parent, who says it looks like a Mongrel Mob gang uniform.

The University of Otago Faculty of Dentistry is under increasing pressure to deal with referrals to the paediatric unit from school dental clinics - and is worried the problem may be exacerbated by the Otago District Health Board's plans to replace the school service.

The water in Tomahawk Lagoon may not be fit for consumption, but Tahuna Intermediate pupils hope their tests will show it is once again fit for aquatic activities.

Secondary school teachers from around Otago found themselves sitting at their pupils' desks this week as they took part in curriculum support seminars aimed at helping them prepare for the implementation of the new curriculum.

When Roy Goodman is not in front of a musical ensemble thrilling audiences, he is in the outdoors getting his own kicks.

New Zealand universities face hard decisions as a result of changes to tertiary education funding in the Government's 2009 Budget, University of Otago vice-chancellor Professor David Skegg says.

About half of Otago's primary school pupils could have "black and toothless smiles" by the time they finish school if the Government goes ahead with plans to close the region's 85 school dental clinics, the Otago Primary Principals Association warns.

Dunedin secondary school pupils shone on stage at the Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival at the weekend, winning several major awards at the national competition.

Michael Turner has never been backward about coming forward and telling people what he thinks, particularly when it comes to business.

Five authors with Otago connections are among the 33 finalists in this year's Montana New Zealand Book Awards.

The Montecillo Trust has appointed four new trustees in the hope it will expand the depth of expertise in its management.

A fines blitz by Dunedin police and District Court bailiffs yesterday netted six cars in an operation aimed at recouping more than $500,000 in unpaid fines.

He is often described as "a principals' principal", and due to his dedication to education in Otago, Paddy Ford has been given a rare life membership to the Otago Primary Principals Association.