Schools' Challenge

It may be one of Auckland’s smallest schools with a total roll of qw0 students, but that didn’t stop the 24 students from Onepoto Primary on Auckland’s North Shore raising the most money in the junior section - $1091 - of our Make a Spectacle of Yourself challenge. To celebrate this wonderful achievement Michael Jones, the Foundation’s ambassador, visited the decile one school last month and inspired our next generation of leaders!

Teacher Fay Norman was inspired by a strange pair of cardboard glasses she spotted among the staffroom mail. Further reading revealed they were cataract glasses, and after trying them on Fay was inspired to learn more.

“I took the glasses to the Year 5 and 6 class I take on Monday and had them take turns wearing them while I read a picture book. They were not allowed to comment at any time but I could see they really wanted to say something. Once finished I let them comment: “We couldn’t see anything!” That’s when I started talking about cataracts, the challenge and how it would be a great opportunity to help others less fortunate than ourselves, as we are often the recipients of sponsorship.”

 The class brainstormed fundraising ideas, then narrowed down to those they could practically manage. The children selected the activity they wanted to be involved with and formed groups to plan how they would achieve their targets: possible dates, cost to participate, how they would advertise, manpower and resources required and allocation of jobs, etc.

One person from each team was selected to represent them on the planning committee from which two treasurers who appointed. Their job was to help open a special bank account, count all fundraising income and fill out the deposit slips. The committee put together a calendar of events and the fun began. Activities were: a school disco, a film and popcorn lunchtime, a games session, a car wash, guess the number of lollies in the jar, pizza and cake lunchtime stall, book character competition to coincide with National Library Week, staff vs students basketball game and a sale and auction of the children’s art work.

 Fay also ran a programme which involved research on Fred Hollows, writing a promotional report to introduce fundraising to the rest of the school, persuasive letters, a reflective piece a of writing around what they thought it would be like to have limited or no eyesight, event posters and formal art lessons where each child produced two beautiful pieces of art. Four pieces were selected to be taken to the Rotary Club of North Harbour and auctioned.

“This was a great experience for the children and you can imagine their elation when they were told they had won and that they were all going to meet Michael Jones. Hearing they had won provided us with another art lesson – one to “sketch” Michael so they would have something for him to sign, Fay said. Then the big day came and they helped with the food preparation and organisation.”

After being greeted with powhiri, and a waiata from the class, Michael took up the guitar and responded with help from everyone. Then it was time for questions and the class clustered around him asking about playing rugby and winning the World Cup - "Were you really an All-Black?"

  A delicious lunch followed where Michael spent time talking to the pupils about how he dreamed of being an All-Black and the importance of striving to be the best of you can be.Than it was time for a mass autograph session before a game of basketball.

"They obviously adored Michael and one boy said he was going home to put his signed shoe on Trademe – his mum might have other ideas about that!. As to the long term impression – well let’s hope Michael’s words will keep coming back as part of their 'guiding light',” Fay said.

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Our 2010 "Make A Spectacle of Yourself" challenge was more successful than ever.  We were thrilled that our ambassador, Michael Jones, offered to congratulate the winning schools.

St Peter’s College Palmerston North - Senior category winner

St Peter’s College in Palmerston North were worthy winners of the highest per pupil in the senior school section  – raising a staggering $4,750 – enough for 230 sight saving operations. 

 The school has supported The Foundation for seven years and see it as an important part of leadership development for their boys.  In 2010, the four school houses produced eye patches in their house colour and challenged the boys to find sponsorship to wear the patches throughout the term. 

Teacher Carl McIntyre told us “We support the Foundation because Fred Hollows is a Kiwi and because the work is so tangible. When the final total was announced, 230 boys were given masks and asked to stand up.  It really drives it home to you when you see one third of the school stand up like that.  It is amazing that a surgery which only takes 20 minutes can allow people to go back to work again and help support their families.”

 Nikora Lewis and Josh Peck were chosen to accept the prize on behalf of the school and spent the day at the Rugby Union headquarters in Wellington with Michael Jones.  Michael congratulated them on their efforts: “You have both been prepared to go the extra mile to support others less fortunate than yourselves and have learnt that in order to lead, you first need to understand how to serve others.  I have just got back from visiting an outreach in Samoa where over 200 cataract surgeries were carried out – equivalent to the money the school has raised.  I have seen first hand the difference you have made to these people and their families.  Thank you” 

Both boys were overwhelmed by the visit.  “I learnt from Michael Jones to stay cool in class and to make wise choices when with my mates, because if you want to be a legend you have to be calm and responsible. Learning from Michael first-hand how our fundraising provides cheap cataract operations to people less-fortunate made me feel like a better person, as I'm helping people who don't have as much as I do.”