“Businesses like Rolls Royce were saying to me, ‘Peter, we want kids who can come up with new ideas, not just copy someone else’s but be creative thinkers’.
“I could see the curriculum did not feed that need, so Ellen and I left teaching to run projects that did. It took us all over the globe. We won awards for innovation, with guest-speaking invitations at prestigious events such as the World Bioscience Conference in the US.”
The Jarratts could not stop thinking about the magic they discovered at Makorori, so they came back with their new skills and set up their own school, Jarratts Create and Educate — based out of a converted boat shed at their Makorori property. Coincidentally, it is the same house they stayed at when the rain proved too much for their tent all those years ago.
Something special in Gisborne“It all stems back to our travels. We knew there was something special here, so we had to come back.
“Our hearts were here. For us Gisborne has it all — kids here already have that creative thinking, it just needs to be brought out and celebrated.”
Mrs Jarratt says schools have a difficult job involving the arts.
“A lot of the time, teachers do not have the time to justify art or creative activities. There is frustration about national standards.
“Schools have told us they want to do more creative things but there is no funding for it, so we had to think, ‘OK how do we fit this in and how do we make it as affordable as possible’.”
After three years in development and testing, and working with the 200-odd students in their own and mainstream schools, they have built a programme that links into the whole school curriculum.
“We have listened to parents, students and teachers, covering every aspect to make this easy to use and fun for children.”
The creative learning programme for schools is based around a child’s own interests and delivered through a mix of online tuition, hands-on learning, supporting material, printable resources, projects, curriculum links, parent participation and personalised certificates.
“Professional development is also provided for all teachers so they can follow our philosophy of high expectations, fun, individual creativity and a positive environment.”
For this reason the Jarratts have made sure their programme fits in curriculum standards and costs just $10 per child for a full year’s tuition.
Solid research and experienceMr Jarratt says their programme is based on solid research and years of experience here and abroad.
“Ultimately we are talking about drawing people to the town and giving everyone something to be proud of.”
They launched the new initiative on Friday through the charitable trust Boosted.org.nz, run by the New Zealand Arts Foundation.
The foundation helps get projects it agrees are worthwhile off the ground.
“Our commitment is that we can provide the package to Gisborne primary and intermediate schools for just $10 per student per year,” says Mr Jarratt.
“We need to make this happen as a community. Anyone can pledge to sponsor students, classes or a school to undertake the programme.”
Mrs Jarratt says fostering creativity creates transferable skills across all platforms.
“The creative process keeps students open to taking risks, working together, problem-solving and foremost knowing themselves.
“We need you to share the Boosted.org link with as many Gizzy families, associates, friends and organisations as possible and help it spread like wildfire.”
Boosted is an all-or-nothing crowd funding model. If 100 percent of the funding target is not met by the closing date, all funds are automatically returned to donors.
“The more people we can get to pledge, the closer we become to fuelling the talents of our local kids. Each pledge is also 33 percent tax deductible”
The Jarratts are hoping to raise $2000 in 31 days to begin administering the programme to the next 200 students. They have already raised $1300 since Friday.
¦ To donate go to www.boosted.org.nz/projects/inspiring-creativity-for-schools
