Targeting protesting children a new low

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Targeting protesting children a new low

Illustration: Matt Golding

Illustration: Matt GoldingCredit:

When put on the spot over inaction on climate change, Liberal MPs have the audacity to tell children to get their act together ("Rioting is not one of the three Rs: Liberals", December 2).

It is not unusual for Libs to shoot the messenger, but targeting children is a new low even for them.

Graham Lum, North Rocks

Students all over the country joined climate change protests.

Students all over the country joined climate change protests.Credit: Louie Douvis

Language lessons needed

NSW high school principals would like to relegate the teaching of foreign languages to primary schools ("Mandarin is now the No.1 community language", December 5). I can well imagine what would happen next; the teaching of foreign languages in schools would become virtually non-existent.

Australia may consider itself multicultural but its appreciation of languages other than English is undervalued and a complete contrast to European countries where children are required to learn two or even three foreign languages. According to Dr Chik, the co-editor of the recently published book, Multilingual Sydney, a City Report, Australia is lagging behind every major English-speaking country in the number of people learning another language.

Along with maths and music, children should be encouraged to study more foreign languages, not fewer.

Jane Jilek, Castlecrag

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Homemade mess in NSW

It is disingenuous of the NSW Liberals to be finger pointing towards their federal colleagues for their ever-decreasing popularity ("NSW Libs blame poisoning by Feds", December 2).

Given the rapacious home-unit developments all over Sydney and a near feverishness drive for privatisation to satisfy developers and big business they should perhaps look closer to the tree to see where the apple has fallen.

Stewart Smith, Tea Gardens

The NSW Liberals would be misguided if they believed their federal counterparts were entirely responsible for their poor showing in the latest opinion polls.

There is more than one albatross hanging around the neck of the Berejiklian government not the least of which is the light rail debacle.

One might add the extravagance of the stadiums projects and the shambles that was the opening of the new Northern Beaches Hospital.

Unless they are prepared to accept that their poor polling is largely a mess of their own making the NSW Libs have little chance of a change of fortune.

Garth Clarke, North Sydney

Say no to computers

If the Department of Education is serious about the conditions under which students gain entry into selective schools, then it needs to eliminate entrance tests that are computer marked ("Push to make selective test uncoachable", December 2). All answers should have to be hand written. This would cost more to mark, but surely this would be a better method of testing.

Peter Miniutti, Ashbury

Who can you trust?

It seems that the United States' capacity for hypocrisy knows no bounds ("Putin defiant as Ukraine cites build-up of Russian forces along border", December 2).

In a classic demonstration of the pot calling the kettle black, US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis this week claimed that it could not trust Russia's President Putin because of his "ripping up of international agreements".

Perhaps Mr Mattis was looking the other way when, just two months ago, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo unilaterally announced the termination of the 1955 Treaty of Amity with Iran following a ruling by the International Court of Justice that US economic sanctions were in breach of that treaty.

John Richardson, Wallagoot

The world is bemused by our seeming penchant for leader swapping – so are we ("Trump quizzes Morrison on top job", December 2).

Gordana Martinovich, Dulwich Hill

Too nice to be a Lib

For a Liberal candidate Dave Sharma seems quite normal, reasonable, sane and and personable.
Is it a trick ("Sharma preselected for second tilt", December 2)?

Sarah Benmayor, Bondi

Top marks for teachers

Wonderful article from the classroom by reporter Jordan Baker: thank you ("It's 'constant triage': a day in the life of a teacher", December 5).

Fabulous insight into the work of those marvellous teachers who guide our children into the future. Thank you to all those dedicated, gifted teachers.

Alison Stewart, Waitara

Faint praise

I recall a comment in a student's school report by a fellow woodwork teacher: "His efforts throughout the term have resulted in a well formed stool."

Paul Spicer, Bundanoon

"Could do better if tried" was the constant refrain from his school reports, as reported by Craig Lilienthal (Letters, 2 December). Was that trial to be in the District or the High Court, Craig?

Ian Usman Lewis, Kentucky

Premier state's loss

No, Danny Weidler, the "ultimate humiliation" for the NSW government will not be the loss of its premier sporting event to another state, but the loss of the state election by its premier ("NRL making plans for interstate grand final", December 5).

Hannah Lane, Wollstonecraft

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