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Students Write Book Hi-lighting Literacy Problem

Kia Ora Scoop,

Urban Warriors Press Release:

This year Josh Toohey, a Year 11 student from St Thomas of Canterbury College in Christchurch, along with two fellow students, Jordan Russ and Tyrone Frost-Kidd, participated in the Young Enterprise Scheme. It is a scheme for students to get a taste of the entrepreneurial world while still at school. The students entered as a Maori team.

They have written a children’s book, entitled “A Perfect Day”, to highlight low literacy rates of some among the Intermediate age group, especially Maori. Their book has been produced as a symbol of literacy.

“A Perfect Day” is about two students, Thomas and Tamati, as they go to school and learn about Child Labour and Wage Slavery in the Third World. The book, approached from a contemporary New Zealand setting, informs students of a complex global social issue in an easy manner.

Children’s Author Margaret Mahy helped with critiquing the text and gave some great advice. Photos for the book’s illustrations were taken at Hornby Primary School. Chaucer Print are the manufacturers. “A Perfect Day” retails for $12 at the Children’s Bookshop in Christchurch and Auckland, and Storytime Books for Kids in Wellington.

The students have sold nearly 500 books in both New Zealand and Australia. They have been able to work with schools, teachers, unions, Iwi, MP’s, and businesses, a rare combination for an entrepreneurial business.

Their business mentor is Tony Sewell, General Manager of Ngai Tahu property. Josh is Ngai Tahu, Jordan is Muaupoko, and Tyrone is Ngati Porou.

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They have put in a lot of hard work this year to produce a quality literacy resource. Based on their performance they have been awarded:

Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme Canterbury Regional Winner

Outside the Square Canterbury Regional Award for Media and Marketing

Young Enterprise Scheme 2007 National Excellence Award

On the 31st of October the students are off to the Inter-Continental Hotel in Wellington where they will be presented with a National Excellence Award by the governor-general, The Honourable Anand Satyanand.

They will also be giving a verbal presentation to a panel of judges to try and become the New Zealand Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme Company of the Year. The students are looking forward to this next challenge on our journey of socially-responsible business.

ENDS

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