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Porirua Mayor
Nick Leggett with Holy Family School
students Melerita McGaughey and Susan Tuipe’a
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In a first for Porirua City
two pint-sized future leaders from all 32 primary schools in the city were
given a boost with awards for leadership. The two Rotary Clubs of
Plimmerton and Porirua, NZ, together with Porirua City Council, recognised 64
Porirua primary school children who have shown leadership, served others and
acted as role models.
The awards were
presented at a special function on September 21, 2015 at Pataka Museum. Besides
the award recipients, a large number of parents, principals, teachers and
family were present, along with many of the prefects from Porirua City’s
colleges, plus most Porirua City Councillors and senior Council staff.
Councillor Izzy Ford said it was appropriate that Mayor Nick Leggett
present the awards, as he was Porirua’s youngest ever Mayor. The Mayor
assured all awardees that the City was immensely proud of their achievements in
the 50th Anniversary year of the formation of Porirua City, the year
in which Porirua City Council had made children one of its strategic
priorities.
“I am proud and
honoured to present these young people with awards for the leadership they’ve
shown. Our children are citizens every bit as much as adults and this group
demonstrate the contribution they are already making. During our 50th
year, we have been honouring the achievements of our community leaders, but
today is very special because today we are honouring our community builders of
the future. We acknowledge and thank you for helping your peers, displaying
leadership skills and being active in your schools and your communities.”
NZ Government
Minister of Education Hekia Parata said the calibre and character of the
students was impressive. “As exemplified by the leaders receiving awards this
year, the depth of talent and achievement among young people in Porirua is
outstanding,” she said. “Porirua is not short of future leaders, thanks to the
hard work of teachers, principals, parents and the young people themselves.
Congratulations to all the leaders who have been put forward by their schools
for this Award.”
Mana
Minister of Parliament Kris Faafoi said the awards showed that Porirua had an
exciting future ahead of it with so many impressive young people. "It's
great to see our future leaders encouraged and recognised as part of the 50th
celebrations,” he said. “When our city turns 100, many of them will have done
an enormous amount for the city. When we think of it in those terms it's
wonderful that we are building on their natural leadership ability."
After receiving
their certificates to enthusiastic applause, each pair of award winners had
their photo taken with the Mayor in his full mayoral regalia, and all were
clearly thrilled by the occasion. An address was then given by Liam Dalton,
Academic Prefect at Aotea College.
Liam explained to award winners that a good way to make
progress in life was to learn how to hold a conversation with someone new, to
listen, to smile, and ask questions. Liam told his young audience that
achieving good grades at school was not the complete answer to being
successful. “School is not the only place you learn. Step out of your
comfort zone and try new things. Make the most of every opportunity, and be the
change you want to see in the world. Each one of you is an extraordinary human
being”.
Words: Wendy Betteridge, Rotary Club of Plimmerton, NZ
Photos: Luke Pilkinton-Ching, Vision Web Design
