Time for a new flag?

Right now New Zealand voters can participate in a referendum about changing the New Zealand flag.

First of all we will rank our preferred alternative flag, and then in March next year the winner of that vote will then have a showdown with the current flag, shown below!

Come in and read about the five alternative flags, and take a look at the history of flags in general, how they are used, and what other flags around the world look like.

Read all about the Flag Consideration Project here..

https://www.govt.nz/browse/engaging-with-government/the-nz-flag-your-chance-to-decide/

What do you think? Which is your preferred flag? A new contender, or the one we have now? 

(You will need to vote to see the results!)

Oldies but goodies

Enid Blyton's books have been around for aaaaaages! They were probably ones that your Mum or Dad read, and their Mum or Dad before them! These three have just been donated by enthusiastic Owai students - thanks Solomon and Lucy! 

Why are they still so popular?

Because, as author Cressida Cowell wrote in her foreword of the most recent edition of Here's the Naughtiest Girl" (seen below)...

"Enid Blyton could tap into children's dreams, children's desires, children's wishes, with pin-point accuracy."

Tell us what YOUR favourite Enid Blyton book is! Ask your Mum, Dad or Nana what theirs was! 

Tell us below in comments....

KABOOOM!

This is what Guy Fawkes Night is all about, right?

But where does the name come from and why do we let off fireworks on the 5th of November?

Because of an event over 400 years ago in England, and this ..er...guy...

Guy (Guido) Fawkes

On the 5 November 1605, Guy Fawkes, along with some other men, was found to have smuggled in 36 barrels of  gunpowder into the cellar of the British Parliament with the intent to blow it up.

Guy Fawkes Night on the 5th of November is a celebration of Guy Fawke's failure to succeed at this mission.

Because New Zealand is a former British Colony, this old tradition has persisted.

DID YOU KNOW...?

This mask that is sometimes seen at protests around social issues is the face of Guy Fawkes?

Find more information here: http://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/evolutionofparliament/parliamentaryauthority/the-gunpowder-plot-of-1605/

Remember remember

the 5th of November