| Mahurangimatters 1 June 20123628

MENSWEAR14-18 Queen Street • Ph 425 8408

W A R K W O R T H

School Ball 2012

Suit Hire

$111only

Choice of 11 different suits with white

shirt and tie

HEALTH • BEAUTY • MEDI SPAall for only $89*

Eyebrow shape • Eyelash tint • Ball Makeup • Nail Paint

Shop 7, Kapanui St, Riverview Plaza, WarkworthPhone: 425 7720 • Email: sheerblissspa@xtra.co.nz* Expires 31st July 2012. Advert must be presented at the time of purchase to redeem offer.

Ball Season Pamper Package

SCHOOL BALL FEATURE

be datemySizes 10-22 or made to measureShadze

6 Neville St, WarkworthPhone: 09 425 0515

Monday-Friday 9.15am-5.15pmSaturday 9.30am-2.30pm

www.shadze.co.nz

BIRTHDAY SALE ON NOW

(Does not include basics)

25% OFF CLOTHING

College balls have been a traditional rite of passage for Kiwi teenagers for decades – generally marking the first time that girls get to wear a glamorous gown and attend a dance with a partner dressed in similarly formal attire. The atmosphere sets out to be sophisticated and civilised. However, in recent years the school ball in NZ has become associated with problems such as excessive drinking and drug use, as well as similar issues at the parties held before and after the balls. As a result, schools have had to adapt their approach and, in some cases, tighten up on the rules. This, coupled with the fact that 17 and 18 year olds are already socially active, has lead to suggestions that the school ball is an outdated concept that should be consigned to history.When a group of students at local colleges were asked for comment, some said that while they thought the ball was still relevant and enjoyable, others believed it could be replaced by an end-of-year graduation party for Year 13 students.Aspects that the students identified as bringing balls up-to-date included the entertainment, which also means playing today’s music rather than slow dance tunes from days gone by. They also suggested that there should be the

option to attend as a group of friends rather than as couples. The girls said that while they loved the idea of wearing a long, traditional ball gown, they found them impractical when it came to “running about and dancing freely”.Several commented that students didn’t have to attend the ball in order to go to a pre-or-post-ball party, and some preferred simply to attend the parties.While this might, in part, be due to the parties’ lack of formality, it could also be because the ball had become expensive and not all students could afford to attend.The students said alcohol was mainly an issue if it was smuggled into the ball. Bags were normally searched on entry, but that at some pre-ball parties, responsible drinking was permitted in the company of adults.Most students said they liked the ball for its atmosphere and for the professional photographs taken there, which they considered would have sentimental value. They also said that it was fun to be able to share the evening with their entire year group.Overall, the students described the ball as “a reward for all their hard work at school”, saying they looked forward to it all year – so it seems the school ball tradition is safe for a few years yet.

Students back contemporary approach to school balls

Isabelle RogersBall Gowns Made Altered Remodelled

Tues-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-3pm or by appt

Upstairs at Bennett ’s Mangawhai

021 222 8730 imcdell@gmail.com

Mahurangimatters 1 June 2012 | 3729

Ph 09 422 9007 • Matakana Village Complex

For all your beauty therapy needsSTOCKISTS OF:

Book now for the school ball!

Professional Makeup Artists!skincare for young skin

22 Pulham Rd, Warkworth(09) 425 9047 or 022 122 0722

www.sewforyou.co.nz

Dress Making Clothing Alterations Home Furnishings

SeamstressSewing Classes

Sewing by Design

Sew for You

SCHOOL BALL FEATURE

be datemy

989e Matakana Road, Matakana Village • Open Tues-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 9am-3pm 422 9059 • revival.boutique@yahoo.com • www.revivalboutique.webs.com

~ Fabulous Diamante Jewellery ~ ~ Dresses ~ Bags ~ Shoes ~

Fashion without the price tag for the ball

Ball arrangements now onlineThe internet and social media are having an increasing impact on the organisation of school balls. Websites dedicated to helping Cinderella get to the ball include Cindabella.com/nz, Kiwiprom.com and schoolball.co.nz, all of which provide ideas, advice and fashion tips for teens, as well as a way to access companies selling ball-related products and services. Some of these sites are also expected to grow on the social media platforms Facebook and Twitter. Local students say pre-and-post-ball parties are often arranged through Facebook. Many students prefer this method because is means students can see on the Facebook page who has been invited and who is going to the party. Mobile phones too are changing the way young people prepare for their ball, as it’s now common for girls to take photos of ball gowns they are thinking of buying with their phones, and email them to friends or put them on Facebook as part of the decision-making process. Facebook and Twitter also provide a forum for discussing ball preparations and generating a high level of excitement before the event.

Relationship counsellors in Warkworth say that it is natural that teenagers want to take risks, experiment and have a relationship as they mature and develop their own identities.They say the foundation for any healthy relationship includes mutual respect, trust, honesty, good communication, equality and support, as well as both partners maintaining their separate identities. Warkworth Homebuilders family support worker Liz Cole says teenagers choose to have a relationship for a number of reasons and parents should encourage their teens to talk to them about their decision to ensure that they understand these foundations.“It is only natural that parents may be a little wary of their teenager’s first relationship,” she says.“But parents need to respect their teens as young adults who are trying to figure out their place in the world. Open communication is important because they may need someone to talk to. If they are in a relationship or are about to begin one, they need encouragement to find the right

person and know what qualities their relationship should have.“Every family is different, and parents will have different morals and beliefs about what constitutes an appropriate relationship for a teenager, but it still all needs to be discussed.”Liz says if teenagers can’t talk to their parents, they should find someone they can talk to, whether it is a relative or close family friend, or a counsellor at school or at Homebuilders.“You should also be able to talk to your partner if something about your relationship is bothering you. If you can’t, that’s a good indication that it isn’t the right kind of relationship. The legal age for consenting sex is 16 and just because you’re in a relationship, doesn’t mean you should rush into having sex. Take your time to really get to know each other.”Hestia Rodney Women’s Refuge advocate Yvonne Churches says it is important for girls to remember this ball season that jealousy isn’t love. “Jealousy is a form of possessiveness which is unhealthy,” she says. “Follow your gut instincts and if it doesn’t feel right – it probably isn’t.”

Teenage relationships need non-judgemental approach In the XS Cuts Building

27 Queen Street, WarkworthWed - Fri 9.30am to 5pm

Sat 9am to 2pm • Late Night Thurs

Contact Angela Munro 425 0441 or 021 709 704

Ball SpecialsCome see us for our The No-Frills Dressmaker

Neat work & a good fit at down to earth prices

• Alterations & Repairs• Adults & Childrens Daywear• Fairy frocks & Fancy Dress• Soft Furnishing – curtains, cushions, etc

Heather Levack377 Tara Road, Mangawhai

Phone 09 431 5731 or 021 136 9298