A school is not only a collection of bricks and mortar. It is much more. A school is filled with books and resources, teachers, administrators, students. But it is still not complete. Those are the obvious tangible things it needs to function as a school. But if a school is to more than just function; to provide a quality education for its students, it needs much more.
A school thrives when it is supported by a community of parents who care for their children’s education. And trained, passionate professionals.
These are cultural things. The intangibles.
There is nothing like the buzz of learning that goes on in a classroom. I wish I could bottle it. The best bricks and mortar alone can’t create it. Some will try and tell you otherwise. (New carpet to replace the old fraying one would be nice, though).
Similarly, cycling in Auckland needs to be more than a collection of cycle paths. It would seem that the community of Te Atatu are yet to appreciate what is being offered to them. Maybe we should not be surprised by that. Cycling is still not widely recognised as a convenient and efficient means of transport.
Cycling-the non-vehicular way.
