Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Whakaue crowned Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga champions – video

Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Whakaue won the Toa Whakaihuwaka title at Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga 2025. Ngāti Whakaue were the eighth of 12 teams to perform at the Pukekura/Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymouth. The team were joint runners up in 2023 but went one better this year as they dedicated their performance to Sir Robert Gillies, the last surviving member of the Māori Battalion during the second world war, who died in November 2024. Speaking after the performance, Ngāti Whakaue's leader, Te Ngāwari Wright, said: 'One thing that we changed from the last Matatini was to bring our ideas together into a cohesive theme, that is love. After the passing of our elder'

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Continue ReadingTe Kapa Haka o Ngāti Whakaue crowned Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga champions – video

The dogma of ‘Britain’s Strictest Headmistress’ is a con as old as time – gentle parenting produces happier kids

Disciplinarians claim a stern approach is best, but there’s a lot of evidence to dispute this, says the Observer parenting columnist

You’ve heard the ­terrible news, I’m sure. Our children are pampered. We raise the coddled brats not as stern parents but simpering friends. We flatter their whims and let them bury their heads in screens. We fetishise what they feel, care not for what they learn, and neglect what they need: that good old-fashioned commonsense discipline that raised the great generations of times past.

Inarguably the greatest peddler of this diagnosis is Katharine Birbalsingh, Britain’s Strictest Headmistress™ and co-founder of the Michaela Community School in Wembley, which boasts fastidious adherence to uniforms, timed loo breaks and silent corridors. In an interview with the Times last week, she yet again bemoaned the “­gentle parenting” that is leaving her students ill-equipped for modern life.

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Continue ReadingThe dogma of ‘Britain’s Strictest Headmistress’ is a con as old as time – gentle parenting produces happier kids

The dogma of ‘Britain’s Strictest Headmistress’ is a con as old as time – gentle parenting produces happier kids

Disciplinarians claim a stern approach is best, but there’s a lot of evidence to dispute this, says the Observer parenting columnist

You’ve heard the ­terrible news, I’m sure. Our children are pampered. We raise the coddled brats not as stern parents but simpering friends. We flatter their whims and let them bury their heads in screens. We fetishise what they feel, care not for what they learn, and neglect what they need: that good old-fashioned commonsense discipline that raised the great generations of times past.

Inarguably the greatest peddler of this diagnosis is Katharine Birbalsingh, Britain’s Strictest Headmistress™ and co-founder of the Michaela Community School in Wembley, which boasts fastidious adherence to uniforms, timed loo breaks and silent corridors. In an interview with the Times last week, she yet again bemoaned the “­gentle parenting” that is leaving her students ill-equipped for modern life.

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Continue ReadingThe dogma of ‘Britain’s Strictest Headmistress’ is a con as old as time – gentle parenting produces happier kids

Championship: West Brom halt Leeds run and Weimann saves Blackburn

  • Furlong equaliser frustrates leaders at home
  • Two late goals provide drama at Ewood Park

Leeds’ Championship title charge was checked as they were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw at Elland Road by West Brom. Junior Firpo headed the home side into an early lead but Darnell Furlong equalised with a looping header before the break.

Leeds were denied a sixth straight win but extended their unbeaten league run to 17 matches. West Brom’s winless league run on the road extended to 10 games. Leeds are now eight points clear of Burnley, who sit third and lost at Preston in the FA Cup, while second-placed Sheffield United play at QPR in a 3pm kick-off.

This story will be updated

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Continue ReadingChampionship: West Brom halt Leeds run and Weimann saves Blackburn

Championship: West Brom halt Leeds run as Sheffield United close gap

  • Furlong equaliser frustrates leaders at home
  • Blades sit three points behind after victory

Leeds’ title charge was checked as they were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by West Brom. Junior Firpo headed the home side into an early lead but Darnell Furlong equalised with a looping header before the break.

The point still extended Leeds’ unbeaten league run to 17 matches as they head towards a Premier League return. Though the West Brom’s manager, Tony Mowbray, later questioned their ability to stay there.

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Continue ReadingChampionship: West Brom halt Leeds run as Sheffield United close gap

Bournemouth v Wolves: FA Cup latest, plus EFL, Bundesliga, La Liga and more – live

There’s been another goal at Selhurst Park. Palace are now 3-1 up, Eddie Nketiah getting his fourth goal of the season.

It’s official: Preston are through to the FA Cup quarters for the first time in 59 years. There’s bound to be considerable fallout from the match but, on the field, there’s little doubt the hosts were the dominant team.

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Continue ReadingBournemouth v Wolves: FA Cup latest, plus EFL, Bundesliga, La Liga and more – live