School celebrates its character

STUDENT SUCCESS: Kaitao Intermediate School head girl Tyla Leo (left) and head boy Stacee Jones with Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick (back left) and principal Rory O'Rourke celebrate their National School of Character award. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER 251013SP1

Kaitao Intermediate School have been recognised for their hard work in building morals and character among the students.

The school has become one of seven nationwide to receive the National School of Character award, which demonstrated outstanding character education initiatives.

Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick presented to the school's head girl Tyla Leo and head boy Stacee Jones the plaque issued by the New Zealand Foundation for Character Education during an assembly yesterday.

"It's great to receive this," Tyla said. "It just shows that our school has character and that we're able to make a difference. It also proves that a decile 2 school can achieve this and that we're given these opportunities to succeed."

Kaitao were always actively promoting their four main values of respect, honesty, compassion and responsibility, principal Rory O'Rourke said. "We have been part of the Positive Behaviour for Learning programme for years, which has a very strong award system."

The programme supports schools to create a culture where positive behaviour and learning thrive. Students are taught in specific terms what behaviours are expected of them.

"Every Monday, I would make a movie story book to show at assembly and students would go back to class for their lesson on the value," he said.

Students' good behaviour was rewarded with vouchers which could be exchanged with a teacher for a sticker to put on their values tree. "This award means that we have made a difference with the programme and that has been reflected in the students' citizenship, culture, achievement and behaviour.

"We have had very few discipline problems and our attendance rate has been high at 95 per cent. Kids are enjoying coming to school."