Latest news with #Hargreaves
NZ Herald
7 days ago
- General
- NZ Herald
NCEA overhaul: NZ principals predict short-term Cambridge boost amid curriculum changes
His school allows senior students to study either the local NCEA programme or the British-headquartered Cambridge exams, taught in schools around the world. He expected uncertainty caused by the NCEA's scrapping could lead more parents to choose Cambridge's 'stability' in the short term. That was until the new NZ Certificate of Education qualification was fully up and running. 'I think our students will keep opting into Cambridge probably in slightly bigger numbers for the next few years at least,' Hargreaves said. The overhaul, which could affect students for decades to come, is open for public feedback for the next six weeks. Macleans College principal Steven Hargreaves says parents may opt for the Cambridge exams in the short term while the details of New Zealand's education overhaul are being thrashed out. Photo / Macleans College via RNZ It follows years of criticism that the NCEA's flexibility meant students across the country were being held to different standards and learning varying lessons despite supposedly studying the same subjects. It also led some schools to abandon the NCEA entirely. More than 40 schools over the past year offered the Cambridge curriculum either in place of the NCEA or alongside it as another alternative. Popular inner Auckland school, Epsom Girls Grammar, was among the latest, telling parents it would be offering it as a choice from 2026 after 'overwhelming community demand'. Auckland Grammar offers students the NCEA and Cambridge pathways, with headmaster Tim O'Connor a long-time critic of the homegrown system. Epsom Girls Grammar is offering a pilot Cambridge exams pathway in 2026, with a full rollout to follow after that. Photo / Alex Burton He said many students had coasted under NCEA rather than striving for excellence, which 'tarnished' it as a 'flexible anything qualification' and led to more than 250,000 skipped exams last year. Despite that, O'Connor questioned whether the Cambridge pathway would be needed if the homegrown education system was revamped. 'We're a proud state school and we would support a nationwide qualification if it was going to be rigorous enough,' he said. Hargreaves, who was on the Government's reform advisory group, said moves under the proposed reform to have all assignments and exams marked by outside assessors rather than teachers was a positive step towards ensuring fair grading. He also backed a homegrown pathway but thought it would take time to convince parents to have faith in it. Mike Waller, principal of private secondary Pinehurst School, which only teaches Cambridge, was another to back the reforms. However, his school was firmly established in the Cambridge system and had no plans to change. He believed it was rigorous and as an international pathway serving schools in many countries, was more stable and less susceptible to political changes that homegrown curriculums could be. The proposed NCEA changes The Government proposes axing NCEA Level 1, giving students respite from high-pressure exams in Year 11. They will instead focus on literacy and numeracy in a 'Foundational Skills Award' to build a base for their senior studies. Year 12s will then seek the New Zealand Certificate of Education (NZCE) and Year 13s the NZ Advanced Certificate of Education (NZACE). The Government said common-sense grading, such as As and marks out of 100, will be clearer for parents, employers, and universities. The changes kick in for Year 11s in 2028, who will then move into the new senior qualifications in 2029 and 2030. It comes as the Cambridge pathway's popularity hit a high point last year with 8000 Kiwi students sitting its November exams and scoring 25 Top in the World awards for being the best in their subject anywhere in the globe. Despite Cambridge's success at his school, Hargreaves believed that in a perfect world all local schools would be delivering a national qualification rather than international. That made the current feedback period critical, given it was concerns over education two decades back that led to the arrival in the country of the Cambridge system. 'If there'd never been any concerns about it 25 years ago, Cambridge would never have arrived on our shores,' he said.
Canberra Times
10-08-2025
- Canberra Times
But Y? What happened to Canberra's unique number plates?
"With the overlap of the 'Y' prefix registration plates between New South Wales and the ACT, there were some administrative process areas in the utilisation of the system that led to a number of incorrectly issued infringements being recorded in 2003-04. Those processes have been reviewed and have been corrected," Mr Hargreaves said at the time.
Otago Daily Times
05-08-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Man accused of brother's murder drops name suppression
Jack Hargreaves in the High Court at Hamilton this morning. He faces charges of murder, aggravated robbery, and failing to stop. Photo: RNZ A 20-year-old charged over the armed robbery of a car and a shooting has given up name suppression. Jack William Hargreaves made a brief appearance in the High Court at Hamilton this morning, where he is facing charges of murdering his brother Joshua and the attempted theft of a car shortly afterwards. Police were called to a property on Bellmont Ave, Chartwell, on July 9 and found the 31-year-old dead. A search for Hargreaves immediately started, including the use of the Eagle helicopter. A motorist had stopped to pick up Hargreaves, who was hitchhiking on Gordonton Rd, when it's alleged he stole the motorist's car. The motorist was left shaken but uninjured. Police allege that at 12.40am, the police dog unit spotted the stolen car and pursued it north to Ngāruawāhia, where road spikes were deployed. The car came to a stop in Ngāruawāhia, and Hargreaves was arrested. Hargreaves faces charges of murder, aggravated robbery, and failing to stop for police. Hargreaves' counsel Nadine Baier confirmed her client no longer wished to pursue name suppression. An order suppressing the relationship between Hargreaves and his brother was also dropped. Baier was seeking a further remand without plea as she was still receiving disclosure, however, Justice Kiri Tahana said she needed to enter pleas in order to set a trial date. Justice Tahana then confirmed a three-week trial for February 14, 2028. She remanded Hargreaves in custody to reappear for a callover in October. - Belinda Feek, Open Justice reporter
Global News
04-07-2025
- Business
- Global News
‘It can't just be a competition on price': Why Seaspan didn't bid on BC Ferries contract
British Columbia's biggest shipyard says building the next wave of ferries in the province is absolutely a possibility, but will require political will on the part of decision makers. It comes as BC Ferries faces public pressure over its recent decision to award a multi-billion-dollar contract to build four new major vessels to a Chinese shipyard. No Canadian company bid on the contract, and while the decision will save the company $1.2 billion over going with a European yard, it has hit the choppy waters of growing nationalism and a global trade war. B.C. shipyard Seaspan did not bid on the deal. 2:15 BC Ferries criticized over decision to award contract to Chinese-owned shipyard Senior vice-president of strategy, business development and communications Dave Hargreaves told Global News that's in part because while it has the capability, it doesn't currently have the capacity. Story continues below advertisement The company is essentially fully booked through the end of the decade, building Coast Guard and Canadian Navy ships. But the company said the BC Ferries procurement process — which was heavily tilted towards price — would have essentially ruled it out anyway. 'The fact of the matter is that their labour costs in their shipyards is probably seven to eight times cheaper than ours, so not like 10 per cent cheaper,' Hargreaves said. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'That labour cost differential is big. And so it's hard to see that we would ever get to cost-competitive with China, or for that matter like Korea, or some Eastern European countries, or places like that.' Hargreaves compared the BC Ferries contract to its deals for major vessels with the federal government, which he said have a 100 per cent overall Canadian content requirement. It's a political calculation, he said, that acknowledges a higher up-front cost, but comes with downstream benefits. 2:15 BC Ferries new vessel federal funding controversy Those high-paying jobs return income taxes to the provincial and federal government and have indirect economic effects through consumer spending, he said. Story continues below advertisement Expanding the shipbuilding sector drives innovation, grows the skilled workforce and expands the wider marine ecosystem, he added. 'Some of our subcontractors are already exporting things,' he said. 'You don't get any of that if you go and build the ferries in China.' And there is the strategic benefit of domestic control of shipbuilding capacity. 'Having a sovereign capability to do shipbuilding in Canada, I mean, we still are one of the world's longest coastline countries with huge maritime areas,' he said. 'So the ability to build ships kind of seems important.' While Premier David Eby has said he wants to see vessels built in B.C., the province won't force BC Ferries to drop the China contract — citing the urgent need to get the vessels into service, and the desire to keep ferry fares down. On Thursday, Deputy Premier Niki Sharma toured the Seaspan shipyard. 2:10 BC Building Trades expresses disappointment in BC Ferries decision 'This multi-billion-dollar success story is possible thanks to the key role Ottawa plays in supporting the national shipbuilding strategy,' she said of the Navy and Coast Guard work underway. Story continues below advertisement 'We are determined to continue this work with the federal government to support Seaspan to do the same for civilian ships. Expanding B.C.'s capacity and getting B.C. shipyards ready to successfully bid on more Canadian ship contracts will create more good jobs in this community and the communities that supply them.' That's the kind of talk Hargreaves said will be necessary if future ferries are to be built in B.C., adding the provincial government will need to be fully on board. 'That does have to include some much stronger preferences for B.C./Canadian content. It can't just be a competition on price, it has to take into account all the other benefits that accrue from building here … has to be seen as an investment for B.C.,' he said. 'BC Ferries doesn't really have that flexibility to make that decision by themselves, right? It has to be the province that comes to the table there.'
Scottish Sun
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘Disaster' – Sir Alex Ferguson labelled England World Cup hero, 44, one of his most disappointing ever Man Utd signings
The former Man Utd star even scored a crucial goal in final ONE TO FER-GET 'Disaster' – Sir Alex Ferguson labelled England World Cup hero, 44, one of his most disappointing ever Man Utd signings Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SIR ALEX FERGUSON brutally labelled an England cult hero as one of the most "disappointing signings" of his Manchester United career. The midfielder was marked as the man to replace long-serving skipper Roy Keane after an award-winning performance during the 2006 World Cup. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Sir Alex Ferguson revealed one of the most "disappointing signings" of his Manchester United career Credit: Sportsfile During his 27 years at Old Trafford the Scot signed football geniuses like Cristiano Ronaldo and Eric Cantona. He also picked up Keane, Nemanja Vidic and Park Ji-Sung who perhaps fell into the 'signed for their mindset' category. But as well as several superstar signings, Fergie was also responsible for a few spectacular flops. And the now-83-year-old revealed that two-time Champions League winner Owen Hargreaves fell into the 'underwhelming' category. READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS TALL ORDER Cristiano Ronaldo and son pose together but fans all spot shock detail Hargreaves joined United from Bayern Munich in 2007, having built a reputation as one of nation's best midfielders, especially after winning England's Player of the World Cup in 2006. And his career at Old Trafford started well, winning the Premier League and Champions League double in his first season. Fans will also remember him scoring a penalty against Chelsea in the European final in Moscow, but Ferguson doesn't recall his time so fondly. Despite Hargreaves' early success in a United shirt, Ferguson looked back on his decision to sign him with regret. 4 Ferguson said Owen Hargreaves didn't live up to his potential at United Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 4 Fans remember Hargreaves scoring a penalty in the shootout against Chelsea in the Champions League final in Moscow Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS In his autobiography 'Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give In', the Scot claimed he had had doubts over Hargreaves from the start. Ferguson wrote: "We started to put together a bid for him. But I studied his playing record and felt a tinge of doubt. Sancho's Next Move: Three Clubs in the Race! | From The Sports Desk | Sun Sport "I didn't feel a strong vibe about him. David Gill worked hard on the deal with Bayern. "I met Owen's agent at the World Cup final in Berlin. Nice man, a lawyer. I told him we could develop Hargreaves at United. "It turned out to be a disaster. Owen had no confidence in himself whatsoever. "He didn't show nearly enough determination to overcome his physical difficulties, for my liking. "I saw him opt for the easy choice too often in terms of training. He was one of the most disappointing signings of my career." It turned out to be a disaster. Sir Alex Ferguson Things quickly went downhill in 2008, with a recurring patellar tendinitis problem virtually ending Hargreaves' career. He would make just five more appearances for United after his debut season, before joining Manchester City for one, injury-ravaged campaign in 2011. Hargreaves, who won four Bundesliga titles in 218 games for Bayern Munich, scored just two goals in 38 appearances for the Red Devils. The former midfielder now works as a pundit to TNT Sports.
