Back to School Savings

By Adele Geradts

This article offers some ideas for cutting down the costs associated with getting everyone back to school.  It also offers some options fir finding assistance with those costs if you are looking for ways to meet those costs.

Buy uniforms second hand
There are so many ways to get your hands on second-hand uniforms, and it can save you a small fortune. Posting on Facebook and other social media sites such as Neighbourly will often turn up some cheap or even free uniform. Trade Me is also a good option for sourcing second-hand uniform. Some schools offer second-hand uniform sales. Shoe stores often have back to school deals as soon as the children have gone back to school
 
Cut your stationery costs
The chances are that you have pens, pencils, books and more leftover from previous years. Get the kids to go on a stationary hunt and then mark off what you already have. Even if you don't want to shop around, flick through the fliers and get your stationery shop of choice to match its competitors' prices. Finally, if the school won't give you a list and asks for a fixed sum of money, wait until your friends have their boxes, look at what you need and buy just that. If you really can't afford items for class sets such as colour pencils, don't buy them until you can pay for them.
 
Delay that BYOD purchase
BYOD children need to bring their own devices to school. There are some excellent arguments in favour of the educational value of a tablet. Last year's model will do, or a cheaper brand might be ok. If you delay buying until February, you'll find some good sales. Do carefully check the technical requirements with the school though – you don't want to risk purchasing a device that's incompatible with the software the kids will need to use.
 
Spread the cost
Ask your school if you can buy as you go. Often schools keep a stock of stationery at the same cheap prices that retailers sell the stuff for in January. Or only buy the absolute minimum number of uniform items at the beginning of the year and stock up as the seasons change. Retailers need to clear their stock because they know they won't sell much until next January.
Some schools will quietly cover the cost for you if you go to them and ask.

If you're struggling, go to Work and Income for a school assistance payment early. WINZ may be able to help with school uniforms and stationery if you're on a low income or a benefit. They may be able to help with the costs of some school fees and activities if there is an immediate and essential need for them. For example, 

• school camps
• trip costs
• school fees.

Some schools may ask that students have computing equipment, e.g., iPad, laptop or tablet. If you can't afford to buy these, WINZ may be able to help, but you need to talk to the school first to see what options are available to purchase via the school first.
If you're not on a benefit, you may be able to get a Recoverable Assistance Payment.
https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/products/a-z-benefits/recoverable-assistance-payment-grant.html
If you're on a benefit, you may be able to get an Advance Payment of Benefit.
https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/products/a-z-benefits/advance-payment-of-benefit.html

These loans are recoverable and do need to be paid back, but at least they're interest-free.
You can find more information here https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/eligibility/children/school-costs.html

Summer wanderings around Halswell

By Chrys Horn

Halswell is blessed by a great range of walks and some great green spaces where you can walk, bike or just hang out, catch up with friend or read a book.
This article highlights a few that might help you get out this summer  (and beyond).

Check out this little known gem in Sabys Rd.  It was the subject of a blog post in 2015 but still there, still the same and it is easy to get to by bike. 

You might also like to look at this Blog post to check out some other options that have already been discussed on this Blog

We have two newly developed wetland areas that are well worth a wander or a bikeride:  

One in Quaifes Road near to where Murphys Road meets it.  There are some lovely plantings in there and some good springs that feed into Knights Stream and eventually into the Hurutini/ Halswell River. This area connects nicely with the green space and water storage area near Longhurst which connects further to greenspace in Longhurst itself.  This means you can walk a good long way in pleasant surroundings and have a coffee in Longhurst to finish it off.  

The second is on the Corner of Hendersons and Sparks Roads.  It is easy to get to using the bike path from Te Hapua which takes you up the side of Sparks Road. 

Of course many will already know about the tracks around the Quarry and the lakes in that area.  It is a popular asset for Halswell and offers great walking, picnicking and coffee. 

If you are looking for something a little more challenging, walking up Kennedys Bush track to the Summit road and on to Kennedys Bush itself,  is a great thing to do and can fill up a good part of the day.  If you choose to take lunch, and there are great views from the top and you can wander all the way along the Summit Road.  
Tracks to the right take you to Ahuriri Bush, while tracks to the left can take you as far as Lyttelton or even Godley Heads, if you want a good day's walk and can organise transport back (buses are a good option from Lyttelton). For fit people or people on bikes who are going a bit faster it is quite possible to walk to Lyttelton and back in a longish day.  Biking also is a great thing to do via Kennedys Bush Track and you can go for miles once you are at the top.  The article above also makes some observations and suggestions re this route. 

There are some wonderful walks around Aidanfield and you can walk quite a way down the greenspace of the upper Heathcote starting in Wigram coming under the motorway into Aidanfield and following along the river.  Across Aidanfield Drive a track takes you along the river next to the School and onto the tracks in Canterbury Park and through to Curletts Road.  

Happy walking and biking!

Silver Birch Trees and Pollen

 by Adele Geradts

Recently I was asked about the removal of the silver birch (Betula pendula) trees on Rempstone Drive in Halswell. In 2017, residents of Rempstone Drive asked the Community Board for the Silver Birch trees in their street to be removed. The Silver Birch trees are not only a nuisance but also affecting people’s health. You can see the submissions here

Unfortunately, in 2017 there was no budget for the removal and replanting of healthy trees, so if removal were approved by the Community Board, this work would need to be programmed. Residents who presented at the Community Board meeting indicated support to help fund the replacement of these trees. However, the residents were not unanimous. The decision was made in 2017 not to remove them, and the residents still have to deal with the trees getting bigger and creating more pollen as they grow.

The Silver Birch produces pollen abundantly and is the leading tree pollen causing allergic symptoms in New Zealand. Allergic symptoms, include hay fever, asthma and some food allergies. It is a very potent allergen. 

 Silver Birches are planted all over Christchurch and New Zealand. The primary tree pollen allergen season in New Zealand starts in August and runs through October.  A significant amount of pollen in the air occurs between 6.00 am and noon. 

Pollen can blow long distances on windy days, but most pollen stays close to its source.  For some hayfever sufferers who are allergic to trees, grass and weed pollens, allergy season can last from August to March. The highest pollen counts occur on calm, hot, sunny days from October through to December.

Avoiding pollen is difficult in Christchurch, but the following tips from the allergy clinic may help:

• Get advice from your Chemist or family doctor about medications and treatments that will relieve your symptoms. Most medications work best if taken before the symptoms get bad.
• Make use of pollen counts found on the Metservice website. https://www.metservice.com/towns-cities/locations/christchurch
•  Stay indoors until after midday (if possible) limiting your exposure.  Minimise going out on windy days.
• Wear sunglasses, ideally with side shields, to protect your eyes from the sun and pollen.
• Avoid mowing grass even when the grass is not in flower. Stay inside when the grass is being mown. I you have to mow grass, it helps to wear a mask and eyewear.
• Keep windows closed both at home and when in your car. A car with air conditioning will reduce the pollen load considerably. Consider fitting a filter over the air intake or install a car ionizer or air filter.
• Do not picnic in parks or the country during the high pollen season.
• If you are sensitive to particular weeds or trees that are outside your bedroom window, have them removed when possible. 
• Always have your allergies confirmed, so you know what's causing the problem.
• Shower (making sure you wash the pollen grains from your hair regularly); Bathe your eyes frequently and carry a supply of tissues.

For more information check out:

Pollen Allergy and Cross-Reactions inNew Zealand