Regional Kiwi Can awards for Tok’ kids

Tokoroa kids Jet-li Bennion and Hayley Gage are proof that having the right attitude counts.

The Tainui Full Primary School students have received regional awards during the annual Kiwi Can awards ceremony held at The Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts at Waikato University recently.

Jet-li received her award for showing respect and Hayley for building positive relationships as part of the national values and life skills programme that’s run in schools.

Programme facilitators visit the Tokoroa school every Monday and Tuesday for hour long sessions promoting the likes of integrity, respect, positive relationships, accountability and responsibility.

Hayley said her award came as a complete surprise.

‘‘They thought I did well with always having a smile on my face,’’ she said.

‘‘One of the things they taught us was even if someone is having a bad day it does not make them a bad person and I really like that a lot.’’

She said due to receiving the award her parents even allowed her to pick dinner.

‘‘They said good job and said I was allowed to pick dinner so I picked Mcd’s,’’ she said.

‘‘I was really surprised to get the award, I didn’t think I was going to get it, so I was so happy.’’

She said her sister also received an award through the programme in 2015.

‘‘She said we are twinsies,’’ she laughed.

‘‘I’m going to put it next to her one.’’

Jet-li said she was equally as surprised to receive her award.

‘‘I was shocked,’’ she said with a beaming smile.

Assistant principal Sol Henare said the school was proud of their efforts.

‘‘We are pretty chuffed as excellence is one expectations,’’ he said.

‘‘The kids know an important part of that is living it so receiving these awards and getting recognised is a pretty cool embodiment of that.’’

The Kiwi Can programme is run through the Graeme Dingle of our Foundation and is currently reaching nearly 19,000 children in 95 schools throughout the country.

The Stars programme is the equivalent of the programme run for Year 9 students as a way of helping them transition from primary to secondary school.