1A small South Island primary school, Southbridge School, has defied the Minister of Education by refusing to introduce National Standards. The has said it's aware that its board of trustees could be sacked for its decision, but that's a risk it's willing to take. The Board have said that they need more time to implement the national curriculum and want National Standards to be trialled instead.

2Dr. Paul Lowe is head of science at Morrinsville College near Hamilton, and has been changing the way school students look at science. He's just been awarded the inaugural Prime Minister's Science Teacher's prize valued at $15-thousand.

3News from Australia, including: Australia Department of Defence spending excessively; opposition's maternity leave policies criticised; snakes in force this year;

4Scott Thomas was the design director of Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign. It's been described as one of the greatest brandign efforts and has been likened to the media mastery of Democrat president John F. Kennedy. Branding, design, the Internet and 'new media' played a pivotal role in helping get Barack Obama elected in the 2008 presidential race.

5Law issues, including: reflections on the good quality of New Zealand employment law by comparing it to the questionable laws in other countries;