Kids make own music video

‘‘This year we have already homed 33 people. It’s still hard work, but the Ministry of Social Development has introduced a whole new tier, to deal with emergency housing provision.

‘‘I’m sure that’s directly related back to the media attention.’’

Originally, DePaul House’s building was a Catholic boarding college called St Dominics.

Following concerns about the amount of homeless people, DePaul House was established in 1986, on behalf of Auckland’s Catholic Diocese.

In the 30 years since, DePaul House as grown its facilities, and has extended its services.

Programmes now assist families with advocacy, living skills, parenting, employment and family outreach support.

Rutledge says the house is a community in itself, with people who have been homed returning to the house as friends.

‘‘It’s that community feel.’’ Pupils at a new one-day school on in Murrays Bay have written and recorded a song.

Believe Education is for pupils who find traditional schooling a challenge.

Founder Rebecca Hall says creative expression is a big part of the school and classes are limited to 12.

The song the pupils composed is called It’s okay to be yourself and Hall says it’s about embracing differences and celebrating strengths.

James Collett, 12, says he enjoyed filming a music video for the song.

‘‘We did the song in many different places like the field and Murrays Bay beach. It was just like filming a Hollywood movie,’’ Collett says.

‘‘We went home feeling very proud of ourselves.’’

The pupils at the school decided on the words and tune of the song and it was launched at an evening for parents and friends on September 22.

Believe Education operates from a privately owned classroom on the grounds of Murrays Bay School and the students come from all over Auckland.

To listen to the song visit tinyurl.com/believeedu or see believe.org.nz for more.