Porirua’s inspiring young students are recognised annually for their outstanding leadership and service in their schools and community through the Primary School Leadership Awards run by the combined Rotary Clubs of Porirua and Porirua City Council. The Primary School Leadership Awards took place on Monday 9 August 2021 at Elim Church Hall in Porirua, which was filled to capacity. This was the seventh year that the event has taken place and the 61 Primary School students were all recipients of a Certificate from Mayor Anita Baker and a Rotary International badge from Mark Wheeler, the District 9940 Governor.
DG Mark suggests that it is a concept that other Rotary clubs may also have a look at - his comments are below with leads to more information.
This week I attended the local Primary School Leadership Awards, an event that costs less than a $1K to run, yet the impact is one of the best returns we could make. The Public Image opportunity is extraordinary. Only word to describe it - brilliant.
The Rotary Club of Plimmerton (utilising the area network of Rotary Clubs, with the Assistant Governor) in partnership with Porirua City have for seven years run these. At this week’s event we had the Mayor presenting certificates, four Members of Parliament – 8 councillors, 31 schools and 600 others present, with families having travelled the length of the country. The Elam Church was provided for free.
Concept
· Rotary approaches all the Primary Schools in an area and invites the schools to provide the names and bios of two young leaders. (We had 31 schools – 61 young leaders). Three simple criteria given to schools.
· Provide a venue and date and time.
· Partnership with the local council for the Mayor to present the awards.
· Rotary coordinates event. Detailed run sheets available. All over in 90 minutes. No morning tea or meals required. In outline:
o Started and finished with a school group for entertainment.
o Local celebrity MC – reads out citations.
o 61 students individually came up on stage when called. Mayor presented a certificate printed by the council. Rotary DG a leadership themed year pin. Photographer records event. Two Schools did haka and two parents.
o Head student from a high School (on yearly rotation) does a speech.
o Child Commissioner did an address to the kids.
o Afterwards – photographer took family photos. Rotary paid for the photographer – photos for free to the families.
· Afterwards most Rotarians from several clubs had lunch together.
Want a quick fantastic win for Rotary and your community – this would have to be it.
Wendy Betteridge, as the architect and lead planner is available to assist. Her radio interview post the event can be found at - https://www.facebook.com/107643629279334/videos/974908779966076
Food for thought.
2021 Event summary: https://plimmertonrotary.org.nz/Articles/Great-leaders-now-and-for-the-future---9-August-2021 - includes a media release, event report and inspiring speech written by Head Boy of Whitby Collegiate
Press Release - Porirua City Council: https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK2108/S00133/inspiring-young-leaders-of-porirua-celebrated.htm