Post by Kiwi Frontline on Apr 8, 2021 11:22:56 GMT 12
BRUCE MOON WRITES TO THE SCHOOL PRINCIPLES RE RANGIOAWHIA
Dear School Principal,
As reported in Stuff, a few days ago students from your school attended an address at Fairfield College by Leah Bell, a Research Consultant with Vincent O’Malley. The principal topic of her address was an alleged account of events at Rangiaowhia on 21st February 1864.
It is with deep concern that I advise you that while this account has been around for a long time and indeed it continues to get much publicity today, it is entirely false – a gross distortion of events on that day and a slander on General Cameron and his troops.
I enclose with this letter a short critique of the reported account by Ms Bell to substantiate what I say here. To the email copy of this letter, I attach also a full account of what actually occurred there, based on the words of some who took part, with extensive references.
The damage to the minds of your students from the tale that they heard needs no emphasis from me.
Like school Principals in New Zealand, I much favour the teaching of New Zealand history in our schools, but you must surely agree that accuracy and truth in its contents are of paramount importance. There are however, significant indications that this is not likely to be the case, and that, for instance, the topic of the Treaty of Waitangi will not be presented accurately. This must surely be of much concern to you as it is to me.
I have recently published a collection of my essays on topics in New Zealand’s history, originally prepared for the History Teachers’ Conference at Waitangi in July last year, to which I was personally invited, but which was regrettably cancelled owing to the outbreak of Covid. I commend it to you. Enquire from charlton@farmside.co.nz to obtain copies.
My compliments,
Bruce Moon
To the principals of:
Fairfield College Hamilton, Girls’ High School Waikato, Diocesan School Sacred Heart,
St Paul’s Collegiate, Fraser High School Rotorua, Girls’ High School Otorohanga College
and others
Bruce’s ‘short letter of critique’ – can be read here > docs.google.com/document/d/1LPHjvpuS4ktDdiok-2wtOrnPdTGpdJMCplQBa21BBHA/edit?usp=sharing
Bruce’s ‘ full account of what actually occurred’ – can be read here > docs.google.com/document/d/1Szg0vCm8b_2IcnMG1ZXamngNnwhq5cr0makvqvi0Q30/edit?usp=sharing
A link to the Stuff article here > www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/124709414/the-new-zealand-wars-affect-everyone-speakers-at-hamilton-high-school-stress-importance-of-learning-history
Dear School Principal,
As reported in Stuff, a few days ago students from your school attended an address at Fairfield College by Leah Bell, a Research Consultant with Vincent O’Malley. The principal topic of her address was an alleged account of events at Rangiaowhia on 21st February 1864.
It is with deep concern that I advise you that while this account has been around for a long time and indeed it continues to get much publicity today, it is entirely false – a gross distortion of events on that day and a slander on General Cameron and his troops.
I enclose with this letter a short critique of the reported account by Ms Bell to substantiate what I say here. To the email copy of this letter, I attach also a full account of what actually occurred there, based on the words of some who took part, with extensive references.
The damage to the minds of your students from the tale that they heard needs no emphasis from me.
Like school Principals in New Zealand, I much favour the teaching of New Zealand history in our schools, but you must surely agree that accuracy and truth in its contents are of paramount importance. There are however, significant indications that this is not likely to be the case, and that, for instance, the topic of the Treaty of Waitangi will not be presented accurately. This must surely be of much concern to you as it is to me.
I have recently published a collection of my essays on topics in New Zealand’s history, originally prepared for the History Teachers’ Conference at Waitangi in July last year, to which I was personally invited, but which was regrettably cancelled owing to the outbreak of Covid. I commend it to you. Enquire from charlton@farmside.co.nz to obtain copies.
My compliments,
Bruce Moon
To the principals of:
Fairfield College Hamilton, Girls’ High School Waikato, Diocesan School Sacred Heart,
St Paul’s Collegiate, Fraser High School Rotorua, Girls’ High School Otorohanga College
and others
Bruce’s ‘short letter of critique’ – can be read here > docs.google.com/document/d/1LPHjvpuS4ktDdiok-2wtOrnPdTGpdJMCplQBa21BBHA/edit?usp=sharing
Bruce’s ‘ full account of what actually occurred’ – can be read here > docs.google.com/document/d/1Szg0vCm8b_2IcnMG1ZXamngNnwhq5cr0makvqvi0Q30/edit?usp=sharing
A link to the Stuff article here > www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/124709414/the-new-zealand-wars-affect-everyone-speakers-at-hamilton-high-school-stress-importance-of-learning-history