School Of The Year Awards

Goodman Fielder Continues Financial Investment And Commitment To Community Through School Of The Year Awards

Goodman Fielder's significant financial investment in and commitment to the New Zealand community, and in particular schools, continues with the launch today of the 2002 Goodman Fielder School of the Year Awards.

The awards showcase and officially recognise schools' hard work and achievements and since the inaugural awards in 1997, 130 schools around the country have received special accolades and prize money of more than half a million dollars.

"Schools are the cornerstone of the community and we at Goodman Fielder are proud to once more support them through these awards which are designed to celebrate and reward outstanding initiatives," says Goodman Fielder - New Zealand Managing Director Ron Vela.

"We are also proud the awards have grown in credibility and popularity over the years, a fact evidenced by the ongoing endorsement from the Minister and Ministry of Education, the continuing support from judging and educational panel members and the hundreds of entries received from schools."

Malcolm Dixon, principal of the 2001 Goodman Fielder School of the Year Frimley School in Hastings, encourages his peers to have a go at entering the awards saying "we never realised in our wildest dreams what winning would mean to the school, the individuals, the community and the province".

"New Zealand is fortunate to have literally hundreds of high performing schools and just as many school communities that work extremely hard and should be recognised for their achievements," he says.

"This is the opportunity for schools around the country to show they're not clones. What they are is full of creativity and initiative and entering the awards is a way to demonstrate this and share knowledge and successes."

Frimley Primary School received $50,000 for its efforts last year and, after consultation with the community, has used half the money to:

* Give every student and staff member a school sun hat (650 in total) * Provide additional professional development for staff * Install self-opening doors in the school's main entrance complete with an etched Goodman Fielder School of the Year Award logo to promote its success * Buy a wooden dolphin sculpture for the children to see and enjoy high quality art first hand.

The awards' judging panel is once again chaired by former governor general Sir Michael Hardie Boys who is joined by past judges April Bruce and Managing Director Goodman Fielder - New Zealand Ron Vela.

This year radio and television presenter Robert Rakete will also sit on the panel replacing former longstanding judge Gary McCormick. Robert has a keen interest in positive education initiatives and has visited many schools over the years through his work with Auckland radio station MAI FM and during his 13-year television career.

The judges will be supported by educationalists Pat Riley, John Boyens, Tom Brown and Gae Griffiths who serve on a pre-selection panel.

Schools have until 5pm Friday, May 2, 2003 to submit their entries under one of five competition categories based on the size and type of school. Entries will be judged on criteria developed to measure achievements alongside other similar schools.

The $100,000 prize pool for the 2002 Goodman Fielder School of the Year Awards will see five schools each receive a cash prize of $10,000 and a trophy, with a further $40,000 and supreme trophy awarded to the overall winner. The two runners up in each of the five categories receive $1000 cash and a certificate.

Merit certificates will be awarded to 20 schools that show outstanding achievement in a particular aspect of their entry.

The Goodman Fielder School of the Year website (www.goodmanfielder.com.au < http://www.goodmanfielder.com.au >, via the Community Relations' link) provides information to help schools prepare their entries.

Fifteen finalists will be notified on Monday, May 26, 2003 with the winners announced at a special ceremony in Wellington on Wednesday, June 18, 2003.

The winners in the 2001 Goodman Fielder School of the Year Awards were:

2001 Goodman Fielder School of the Year Frimley Primary School, Hastings

Small Primary/Intermediate School of the Year Aokautere School, Palmerston North

Medium Primary/Intermediate School of the Year Mountain View Primary School, Mangere

Large Primary/Intermediate School of the Year Frimley Primary School, Hastings

Secondary School of the Year Nayland College, Nelson

Composite School of the Year Mt Anglem College, Invercargill

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