Every week, The College Herald will focus on a Weekly Theme. Five pieces of work will be published each week under the Weekly Theme category. Students can address one of these themes, or all of them, in any way they feel is appropriate.
2011 weekly themes
Week 1: Parental control
Week 2: Connected communities
Week 3: Leading Lyrics
Week 4: Fitness fanatics
Week 5: Pure fantasy
Week 6: Media messages
Week 7: Footprints on the planet
Week 8: Dollars and sense
Week 9: Leading the way
Week 10: Drugs
Week 11: Breaking the chains of poverty
Week 12: Eureka!
Week 13: My place
Week 14: Pathways to success
Week 15: Heritage stories
Week 16: It’s a boy/girl thing
Week 17: Learning for life
Week 18: Starstruck
Week 19: Punching above our weight
Week 20: Election 2011
Week 21: General
1. Parental control
Publication date: May 10th
Deadline for submission to reach The New Zealand Herald: April 19th
Raising children is one of the most important and demanding jobs we’ll ever have but there’s often little training for it. The first five years of a child’s life largely determines their physical, social and intellectual development. The teenage years can be the most testing for both children and parents as values are challenged and boundaries tested.
- How would you describe the way you were raised? What worked well for you and your parents and what was less successful? Has your relationship changed as you’ve got older?
- What advice would you give to parents to help them raise well-balanced children? What is the best advice your parents have ever given you? Did you recognise the value of that advice at the time?
- Should more be done to prepare people for parenthood? Some people have suggested parents should have to get a licence. If that were the case, what should it entail?
- New Zealand has a problem with child abuse. What are your feelings about this? What could be done to address this?
Suggestions: Prepare text for a parenting licence. Talk to your parents or grandparents about how they were raised. Take a photo that reflects your ideas about good parenting.
2. Connected communities
Publication date: May 17th
Deadline for submission to reach The New Zealand Herald: April 19th
In the 21st century being connected is more important than it’s ever been. Communication technology is one of the world’s fastest growing industries. Phones are getting smarter, computers are getting smaller and people around the world are being empowered through access to information. New Zealand lags behind some countries in technological development but there are many countries which are far worse off.
- What’s your opinion of devices like the iPad and the iPhone? Are they worth the money? What do you mostly use your phone for?
- Are social networking sites good for communicating? What are your favourite sites and why do you like them? What trends do you see in social networking?
- Should there be some controls on where and how much young people use their phones and internet devices? Is communication technology causing less personal interaction?
- Should some things be censored to stop dangerous behaviour, like bullying, impersonation and sex offending? Who decides what should be censored? Is it dangerous for governments to control what people can access?
- Better off countries have better access to communication technology. What are some of the implications of the digital divide between richer and poorer nations? How has access to information changed things for people in countries where governments try to control information?
Suggestions: Review some of the latest personal communication devices. Research the digital divide and its consequences. Create a graphic that reflects your thoughts on this topic.
3. Leading Lyrics
Publication date: May 24th
Deadline for submission to reach The New Zealand Herald: May 10th
What would life be without music? Music energises, uplifts and soothes us. Whether we consume it or create it, music is a vital part of our lives – it’s one of the things that distinguishes us as humans. It defines cultures and generations and musicians are some of the most influential people on the planet.
- What’s your favourite band or singer? Tell us what they’re saying and what their lyrics mean to you. Do words matter or is it all about the beat?
- The words of some songs can be offensive to some people. Does that matter? How much influence do lyrics have over the people who listen to them?
- What type of music or musical instrument do you like? Profile your favourite artist and their music.
- Nothing is more Kiwi than Kiwi music. In what way is it different from music from other countries? In what way is it the same? Have some genres proved more popular than others in New Zealand?
Suggestions: Write your own lyrics for a song. Review your favourite band’s latest recording or live performance. Analyse the themes in today’s most popular music.
4. Fitness fanatics
Publication date: March 31st
Deadline for submission to reach The New Zealand Herald: May 17th
Exercise is vital to promoting health and well-being but in recent times it’s become something of a national obsession. Our desire to be fit has spawned a billion dollar industry and we revere the fittest amongst us, such as our top sportspeople. Whether it’s zumba or touch rugby, Kiwis are out every day trying to keep fit.
- How important do you think fitness is? What sort of exercise do you enjoy? Do you find it easy or do you have to drag yourself along?
- What’s fuelling the interest in fitness? Is it based on science or on a desire to stay looking young and trim? Is it always healthy?
- There’s always a new fitness fad. Why do some seem to last and others fizzle out? What role do celebrities and the media play in the fitness industry?
- How do some people achieve their incredible levels of fitness? What does it take to become an All White or an Olympic medallist?
Suggestions: Describe your efforts to get fit in diary form. Research the most popular forms of exercise in New Zealand. Express your ideas in a photograph or cartoon.
5. Pure fantasy
Publication date: June 7th
Deadline for submission to reach The New Zealand Herald: May 24th
Fantasy and science fiction have become enormously popular in fiction, movies, and gaming. Nine of the 10 highest-earning movies of all time are in these genres. Here in New Zealand, Lord of the Rings put us on the world stage and made a knight of Peter Jackson. Harry Potter is one of the best known heroes of modern times. Fantasy is huge in gaming with global contests bringing players together online.
- Do you enjoy these types of genre? Why do you think they have such huge appeal?
- What are the common themes in fantasy and science fiction? Do they have any application in real life or are these genres pure escapism? What do you think about the concept of free will, which is often central to these genres?
- What makes a story a best-seller or a movie a box office success? Do great books always translate well to the screen?
- What’s the attraction in fantasy games? What are the pros and cons in gaming in terms of social and educational skills?
Suggestions: Create an outline or concept for a sci-fi or fantasy themed story, movie or game. Make a top 10 list of your favourite books, movies or games. Create a poster or static image to express your ideas about these genres.
6. Media messages
Publication date: June 14th
Deadline for submission to reach The New Zealand Herald: May 31st
The way news is gathered and disseminated is changing rapidly. Developments in information technology mean news is no longer produced solely by professional journalists and it’s now available through all sorts of media. News has become more accessible than ever before but some sources are more reliable than others.
- How do you keep up with what’s happening in your community, in New Zealand and around the world? What sort of news are you interested in? Is it sport, world news, celebrity news, politics? Who does the best job in giving you the news you want?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of traditional media, such as newspapers, radio and TV, as opposed to digital formats? What do you prefer?
- How do blogs and other forms of citizen journalism stack up against professional journalism? What are the pros and cons of news being generated by people who are part of events via cellphone photos, camera recordings, tweets etc.
Suggestions: Take a topic that interests you and look at how different media have treated it. Look at an event in which citizen journalists have played a major role. Survey your friends and family on their news habits.
7. Footprints on the planet
Publication date: June 21st
Deadline for submission to reach The New Zealand Herald: June 7th
Humans’ impact on the Earth has become a major concern for many people. Our use of natural resources, such as fossil fuels, to make our everyday lives easier and more comfortable has consequences. Now governments, businesses and individuals are being urged to deal with the consequences; to reduce their carbon footprint and do their bit to lower the level of greenhouse gasses.
- How important is this issue to you? What are the most effective steps the world can take to deal with it? What’s more important – action by governments, business or individuals?
- New Zealand is a small country, with a smaller carbon footprint than many other countries. Should we worry about greenhouse gasses? What if our economy suffers through our actions to reduce greenhouse gasses?
- Transport is a huge contributor to the burning of fossil fuels. Can you think of any alternatives to the way we transport people and goods around the world? Do you feel that we are too reliant on the way things are to change?
- When you and your family go about everyday life do you consider things such as your fuel consumption, food miles, use of electricity etc? How do you try to influence this?
Suggestions: Measure your carbon footprint and outline your options for reducing it. Profile someone who is trying to reduce their carbon footprint. Write a blog or opinion piece. Design an eco-friendly transport option.
8. Dollars and sense
Publication date: June 28th
Deadline for submission to reach The New Zealand Herald: June 14th
We all need money to provide for our basic needs and hopefully to give us opportunities to pursue the things we enjoy. However, as the old saying goes, “money doesn’t grow on trees” – you need to manage your money to ensure you have enough not just for the present but also for the future.
- Is money important to you? Do you class yourself as a saver or a spender? How easy is it for you and your family to save money? If you were given a large sum of money what would you do with it?
- Should young people worry about saving for the future? Think about what you’d like to achieve in your life and how you might ensure you have enough money to pay for that.
- When you’re thinking about possible careers, are pay rates a factor? What types of jobs earn the most money? Do you think society places the most value on the right types of occupations?
- We’re constantly bombarded with messages from companies who want us to buy their products. How much does advertising tempt people to spend more than they can afford? Is borrowing a good thing?
Suggestions: Create a cartoon that conveys your ideas on this subject. Explore different generational or cultural attitudes to money. Profile someone you admire who’s been successful and used their money wisely and well.
9. Leading the way
Publication date: July 5th
Deadline for submission to reach The New Zealand Herald: June 21st
To be a great leader, you have to be a great team player. Sir Peter Blake was a team player – loyal, inspirational and able to encourage a whole team to great success. “Peter had a special skill to draw together a group of people who worked incredibly well together, who trusted one another and who always had a tremendous amount of fun. He seemed to have a magic glue that meant his teams stuck together through good times and bad – he was a wonderful, wonderful leader.” - Sir Tom Clark.
A great leader emphasises that each individual task (no matter how great or small) is important to team success. A great leader can ‘lead’ themselves out of a team by encouraging each team member to take responsibility.
- Name a leader of a successful team. How does this person appear to contribute to team achievement?
- Having the right crew is really important to success. How do you choose the right team or crew?
- Do you like to be at the front leading the team, or contributing by being part of a team? Why does this position suit you?
- Are leaders born leaders, or do they develop leadership skills over time?
Suggestions: Create a checklist for your ideal leader. Consider what qualities and strengths that person would need to possess. Take a photograph, or create a piece of artwork that demonstrates great leadership in action.
10. Drugs
Publication date: July 12th
Deadline for submission to reach The New Zealand Herald: June 28th
Drug use can be fatal. It can also ruin people’s lives and destroy their families. Criminals make money from supplying illegal drugs and many crimes are linked to drug use, whether it’s alcohol or P. But legal and illegal drug use is widespread in New Zealand, with some people claiming no lasting ill-effects from recreational use.
- Which drugs are the most damaging, in your view. Compare the harmful affects of legal drugs, like alcohol, tobacco and party pills, and illegal drugs, like marijuana and Ecstasy?
- Does prohibiting the use of some drugs stop people using them? Should marijuana be legalised? Should alcohol and tobacco be banned?
- Do you agree with raising the age limit for buying alcohol. What about the age limit for buying cigarettes? Do age limits work?
- What’s the best way to stop young people from harming themselves with drugs?
Suggestions: Tell someone’s story of drug abuse, using a pseudonym (make it clear whether the story is true or fictional). Survey your friends or classmates on their views on age limits. Create a graphic to illustrate your views on this topic.
11. Breaking the chains of poverty
Publication date: August 2nd
Deadline for submission to reach The New Zealand Herald: July 5th
The statistics of world poverty are truly mind-boggling. More than one billion people in the world live on less than one dollar a day. Another 2.7 billion struggle to survive on less than two dollars per day. Every 3.6 seconds another person dies of starvation and the large majority are children under the age of five. In New Zealand, poverty isn’t so extreme but it’s been estimated that 15 per cent of Kiwi children live in families with less than half the median income.
- What are the causes of poverty? Where does it occur most severely? Who should take responsibility for meeting the basic needs of people (water, food, shelter, basic healthcare and education) who cannot provide it for themselves?
- Imagine being hungry, not for 24 hours, but day after energy-sapping day. How would your mind and body feel? How would life compare to the one you have now?
- What should New Zealand do about its poverty? Should New Zealand try to help poor people in other countries? In your view, what sort of aid is most effective?
Suggestions: Create a map of the world showing levels of poverty. Write a story from the perspective of an aid worker in a refugee camp. Write a poem expressing your feelings on this topic.
12. Eureka!
Publication date: August 9th
Deadline for submission to reach The New Zealand Herald: July 12th
Innovation and invention have been vital in helping humans progress. From the invention of the wheel to the development of Facebook, society has been fundamentally changed by someone’s bright idea. Today innovation is being increasingly recognised as important in all fields and education is increasingly about teaching people how to think about new possibilities rather than simply acquiring existing knowledge and replicating old ways.
- What are some of the most important innovations or inventions that have occurred in your lifetime? How did they come about and what impact have they had?
- What are the characteristics of a person or an organisation that is innovative? Who do you particularly admire as a fresh and creative thinker? Does your education help you to think about new ways of doing things or are you mostly required to regurgitate existing information.
- Our knowledge of the world changes as new information is discovered. Give some examples of how ‘facts’ about something have changed.
- What are some of the big problems in the world which could be addressed by innovative thinking? What might some of the big, new inventions in the next 100 years be?
Suggestions: Think outside the square and present your thoughts in an innovative way!
13. My place
Publication date: August 16th
Deadline for submission to reach The New Zealand Herald: August 2nd
New Zealand society is changing rapidly with the explosion of global communication and entertainment industries, the global marketplace and the arrival of a diverse range of immigrants. The look and feel of our cities and towns is also changing and our natural landscape is under pressure.
- What makes New Zealand unique? Is there a place you particularly love that captures the essence of New Zealand for you?
- How does New Zealand rate as a place to live compared to the rest of the world? Do you have first-hand experience?
- How do our cities and towns measure up in terms of design and places to live? What are some of the planning issues facing our cities and towns?
- How do we protect our great natural assets – our coast, mountains and bush – without curbing people’s rights to enjoy them?
Suggestions: Design your own ideal place (whether a natural or constructed environment). Redesign or revamp a space in your city or town that’s well used but needs a facelift. Create a photo essay on urban design.
14. Pathways to success
Publication date: August 23rd
Deadline for submission to reach The New Zealand Herald: August 9th
Success is highly celebrated in New Zealand, although we are also accused of having a tall poppy syndrome, whereby we criticise people who we think are too full of themselves. Success is most often defined as achieving fame or having lots of money but in reality, most of us achieve lots of successes throughout our lives, whether it’s passing a school test, learning to play an instrument or cooking a great meal for your family.
- What does success mean to you? What does success mean to society and what messages does this send to young people?
- Success is 10 per cent inspiration and 90 per cent perspiration. You achieve success by identifying a goal and then working to achieve it. Have you ever set a goal for yourself or been part of team goal-setting? How hard is it to stick to your goals?
- Dealing with failure is sometimes part of achieving success. How do you deal with obstacles and failures - do you circumnavigate them or confront them head-on?
- Some people seem luckier than others but luck is often about seizing opportunities that come up. What opportunities have you or someone you know had that you/they picked up or passed by. What would you/they do differently if you/they had a second chance?
Suggestions: Check out newspapers and magazines and describe the success stories you find. Interview someone in your family who has set themselves a goal and achieved or failed it and write about how they got there.
15. Heritage stories
Publication date: August 30th
Deadline for submission to reach The New Zealand Herald: August 16th
We are all products of history, whether it’s our families’ history, the history of our country or the history of the world. As individuals, we are shaped by current family members and by our ancestors. New Zealand’s history has also contributed to who we are and why we act the way we do. Taking an even broader view, global developments and trends impact on New Zealand and increasingly, through technology, on us.
- Where does your family come from? When and how did they come to New Zealand? What do you know about your ancestors? How important is family to you?
- What are some of the important stories told in your family? Have there been significant events which have particularly affected your family?
- What are some of the events in New Zealand history that have helped shape our culture and the way we think and do things?
- Events in other parts of the world have often affected us. Describe such an event which changed life in New Zealand and perhaps changed your family.
Suggestions: Tell an important family story in the voice of the central character. Interview your grandmother or grandfather about an important event in their lives. Do a bit of time-travelling and imagine yourself experiencing some important event in history.
16. It’s a boy/girl thing
Publication date: September 6th
Deadline for submission to reach The New Zealand Herald: August 23rd
Gender differences have been a source of fascination and frustration in equal parts - probably since human’s earliest days. Over time, society has fiercely debated not only the roles of men and women but their very natures. In recent times, men and women have gained more freedom to choose their way of behaving, their partners, employment paths and child-rearing roles. But many differences remain and the debate still rages about what it means to be male or female.
- Are there differences between males and females, beyond the physical side? Is this the result of characteristics we are born with or do we learn gender-specific behaviours?
- As teenagers, are you affected by gender stereotyping? If you are, where does that come from? Is it helpful or harmful?
- Some people would say there is no discrimination between the sexes any more but others would point to areas such as child-raising, housework and employment and suggest it’s alive and well. What do you think? Does discrimination matter?
- What does popular culture – movies, music, fashion, social networking – have to say about gender differences? How influential are those views?
Suggestions: Create a cartoon or graphic. Analyse prime-time TV shows to see what they reveal about gender. Look at the way men’s and women’s roles have changed over time.
17. Learning for life
Publication date: September 13th
Deadline for submission to reach The New Zealand Herald: August 30th
Learning isn’t something confined to classrooms. It starts the day we are born and in our early years is derived mostly from the natural stimuli in our everyday lives. Learning in schools is more structured but most schools today strive to connect learning with what’s happening in students’ lives and with students’ interests. We all learn better if we’re interested in something.
- People learn in different ways; some people learn best from reading or hearing information, others learn best from doing something. How you do learn best? Do you have difficulty learning some things?
- Computer-assisted learning is now part of life. How does it help/hinder your learning? Do you use it most at school or at home?
- How well is your education preparing you for life beyond school? How easy is it to decide what you want to do and where you should study when you leave school? Are you more influenced by teachers, family, friends or people you admire?
- Some people do better at learning when they are adults than when they are at school. Other people have to retrain when they lose a job or they lose interest in the job they’re doing. Do you know someone like this?
Suggestions: Write an article that uses a powerful example of someone who finds learning difficult and the effect this has had on their lives. Talk to someone in your family who’s faced job loss and the need to learn a new skill.
18. Starstruck
Publication date: September 20th
Deadline for submission to reach The New Zealand Herald: September 6th
Celebrities are big business. The stars of film, TV, music and sport are some of the richest and most influential people on the planet. Their faces sell millions of magazines and products. Every detail of their lives is captured by journalists and the paparazzi and distributed to their legions of fans through traditional media and the internet.
- Do we really need all the information now available about celebrities? Is it relevant or important or just fun?
- How close should the media and the public get? Should some things be out-of-bounds? Or do celebrities who seek publicity have to deal with the bad as well as the good?
- How important are celebrities to you? Do your favourite actors/musicians/ sports stars affect the way you think and act? Do they have any responsibility to be good role models?
- Reality TV makes celebrities of ordinary people. Are you a fan? Which shows do you like and why?
Suggestions: Create a collage to show who has you 'starstruck'. Develop a concept for a new reality TV show - one that you would love to watch.
19. Punching above our weight
Publication date: September 27th
Deadline for submission to reach The New Zealand Herald: September 13th
New Zealand is often said to be ‘punching above its weight’. The term comes from the sport of boxing, describing someone of a lighter weight category who does well against someone in a heavier category. In terms of countries, it means New Zealand, with its small population, sometimes does well when measured against other bigger countries.
- In what fields does New Zealand punch above its weight - sports, medicine, science and technology, social and political development, tourism? What do you take most pride in? Why do we do particularly well in some areas?
- Which countries do we most often compare ourselves to and why? Do we place too much importance on our performance in a variety of fields? Is it a sign of feeling inferior or simply a reflection of our competitive spirit?
- In some areas, we rank highly in the wrong things, such as suicide rates, alcohol abuse and loss of indigenous flora and fauna. How do you think New Zealand is generally perceived by the rest of the world in terms of being a good or bad performer?
Suggestions: A graphic or cartoon would work well for this topic. Compile a list of your favourite areas where we punch above our weight.
20. Election 2011
Publication date: October 4th
Deadline for submission to reach The New Zealand Herald: September 20th
This year’s general election will decide who will govern us for the next three years. Although you can’t vote until you are 18, many issues, such as educational qualifications, controls on driving and the purchase of alcohol, directly affect teenagers. Many young people are also interested in issues like climate change, conservation and internet freedom.
- Are politicians in touch with the issues that interest and affect you and your family? What issues are most important to you? How would you vote, if you could? Should everyone vote? Why do you think some people don’t?
- Our system of electing people to Parliament is under review. Is MMP a good system? Is there a better system, in your view? What’s been other countries’ experience with different systems?
- Political spin is the art of presenting something to the public in the best possible light. Do you think New Zealand politicians are honest? Do voters always get the whole picture? How good a job does the media do in finding out the truth about political matters?
- What’s it take to be a successful politician? Who do you most admire in New Zealand or around the world?
Suggestions: Imagine you’re standing for election to Parliament and set out your policies for voters. Pick a topic that matters to you and describe the relevant policies of each of the main parties. Design an election billboard.
21. General
In each edition of The College Herald, 15 pieces of work will be chosen from the General Theme category. Some ideas are provided under the 'General Themes' tab, or you can submit work on anything you feel passionate about.
General Themes can be submitted at any stage of The College Herald programme and may be selected for publication in any of the 19 weekly editions.
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