Read about it! Newsletter No. 48 November 2009 BRINGING BOOKS AND CHILDREN TOGETHER SINCE 1995 ISSN 1177-0562 Prime Minister helps high country kids link up with Duffy schools Prime Minister John Key helped The heart-warming high country story by Braid and Duffy Books in kids reconnect with country life Christine Fernyhough and John Bougen shares Homes General Manager when he visited Cannons Creek the romance and reality of life for Ben and Linda Vagana. School in Porirua to present a Mark Smith as they grow up on one of the Chrissie sees the book copy of the new book from the country’s biggest high country sheep stations, as a catalyst for positive bestselling Road to Castle Hill team. Mt White Station. change beginning early at primary While a number of kids in Duffy Books in Thanks to transport company Mainfreight, school level, giving city kids the chance to Homes schools have had a taste of rural life, Duffy schools throughout New Zealand were read and learn about rural life. many more have had few opportunities to presented with a copy of the book during the ‘Since I began farming I’ve seen the widening experience the unique lifestyle epitomised in week of 27 October. Members of Federated gap between urban and rural life. In writing Ben & Mark, Boys of the High Country. Farmers visited a number of schools to talk to this book I’ve tried to make farming more the children about farming accessible not only to kids but also to the life and, through sharing wider community,’ she says. their stories, hoped to plant a farming seed in the Graham Beattie of Beattie’s Book Blog minds of kids. recently reviewed the book and had this To celebrate the gift, Prime to say. Minister Hon John Key ‘Believe me I exaggerate not when I was at Cannons Creek describe this book as gorgeous. I guess School on 22 October to when you combine a natural writer, and present Ben & Mark, Boys lover of the South island high country, of the High Country to the with a talented photographer, telling an school. He was joined enormously appealing story of two young by Federated Farmers boys growing up on an isolated and vast Prime Minister John Key was given a warm President Don Nicolson, South Island sheep station, then it is Pacific welcome at Cannons Creek School in Mainfreight Group little wonder that the end result is such a Porirua. School Sponsor: Mainfreight Limited Managing Director Don knockout.’ Whitcoulls helps Duffy into more homes The second instalment of Whitcoulls caregivers to give generously to the Duffy Book Week took place during the programme via the donation boxes in week of 28 September to 4 October. every store. A number of Whitcoulls stores around the Donations go towards helping country hosted Duffy Role Models for storytime schools that do not yet have sessions which were great fun for the kids who sponsors stay on the programme participated and a chance for their parents and until sponsorship is found. Visitors to Whitcoulls stores can still make donations in collection Constable Bryan Ward and Bobby from TV3’s Bryan boxes throughout the year. Alternatively, and Bobby were a real crowd puller at Whitcoulls Botany with one of the biggest storytimes they donations can be made online at www. had ever hosted! helpduffy.co.nz awards as well as special prizes from NZ For as little as $50 a year, one child can Post and Mainfreight. In addition, they can November 2009 benefit from everything that the Duffy see a fantastic performance from the Duffy Books in Homes programme has to offer. Theatre and have the opportunity to give their This includes a minimum of five free books preschool siblings a book on their birthday of their choice each year, the opportunity as part of the Kids at it! about Ex Warrior and Kiwi rugby league player Gavin to earn weekly ‘Caught Being Good’ book Hill really looked the part during his storytime at Home programme. Whitcoulls New Plymouth. (Photo courtesy of Taranaki Daily News) Read The printing of this newsletter is kindly sponsored by Soar Printing The paper is kindly supplied by No monopoly on From the Office role modelling for Kia Ora, Talofa lava, Malo e lelei, Kia orana, celebrities Nisa Bula Vinaka, Fakalofa lahi atu, Taloha Ni, Namaste, Annyong, Warm greetings, to all Duffy Every year sportspeople, politicians, TV personalities, authors, radio presenters and community leaders visit Books in Homes schools, sponsors, Role Models Duffy schools to give out free books and share their and supporters, experiences of reading. However, the week of 10 August As this is the last newsletter for 2009 I would like to saw another breed of role model visiting schools around acknowledge and thank all who have contributed New Zealand. to making this year another great success. Many Schools welcomed senior students from their local high school into their school to give them a chance to share their hopes and dreams thanks to Rob Southam and the team at Scholastic for the future and how reading will be the key to getting them there. NZ Limited, Pam Carter and the Penguin Group team Many of these senior students will have already grown up as Duffy and Trish and Paul du Temple from Wheelers Books. kids and received free books of their choice from an early age. The Thank you for sharing our vision to inspire a love of School Leader Assemblies gave them an opportunity to show their reading in Duffy children and their families. younger counterparts that ‘It’s Cool to Read and Cool to Achieve’. We are constantly bombarded by the doom and Duffy Books in Homes General Manager, Linda Vagana, believes that the ‘School Leader’ assemblies have a special meaning for Duffy gloom messages regarding the ‘recession’ and the kids. ‘present economic climate’ however, we are very ‘Kids love seeing a sports star or actor at their school but bringing fortunate to have the continuous commitment of our in someone from their own community who has shared their schools, and the wonderful generosity of our sponsors experiences shows the kids that there is a world of opportunity and supporters. It has not been an easy task for any out there,’ she said. organisation and/or business to survive during these Two secondary school students visited each school and as a special lean times so a big THANK YOU - we really appreciate thanks each received a copy of Willie Apiata VC – your ongoing support. The Reluctant Hero by Paul Little. Special thanks to Mainfreight Ltd. for another fantastic year! Also, thank you all our Role Models for your great stories, keeping Duffy children excited about reading and our talented actors who performed our Duffy Theatre’s Duffy and the Story Snatcher at hundreds of Duffy schools. Book Offer Three Role Model assemblies were once again a major highlight in our schools this term. You can view some of our Role Models and sponsors in action at the book offer celebrations later in this newsletter. Finally, to the board and team of Duffy Books Daniel Powick and Emily Rogers are both planning on heading off to university in Homes, thank you for your commitment and next year – something they hope that many of the kids from Kaikohe West School will aspire to as well. School Sponsor: Mainfreight Limited contribution this year. Next year will be another year striving to make a difference in the lives of Duffy kids. It will also mark the 15th anniversary of the official launch of the programme. Look out for some exciting events in 2010! I wish you all a safe and fun time with your families over the festive season. Take care and happy reading! November 2009 LEFT: Matthew Taylor and Lena Aziz from Wanganui High School were both Linda Vagana thrilled to receive a copy of Willie Apiata’s book during their visit to Okoia School. School Sponsor: Jack Jeffs Charitable Trust GENERAL MANAGER RIGHT: Amber Geerlings and Shaun Desanges of Western Heights High School about it! about gave a brilliant speech on the importance of reading at Aorangi School in Rotorua. School Sponsor: Scholastic NZ Read Read LEFT: Birkenhead College provided two inspirational leaders to visit Beach Haven School. Sponsor needed RIGHT: Four ex-pupils of Irongate School returned to spread the reading message to the leaders of tomorrow. School Sponsor: Lodge Frimley 359 LEFT: Carmody Little and Cloe Karangaroa from Wairoa College joined the Kelsey Berryman of Papanui High School stands out amongst the kids from kids from Wairoa Primary School in showing off their books. School Sponsor: Bishopdale School. School Sponsor: Tait Electronics Mainfreight International RIGHT: The boys from King’s High School were warmly welcomed to Corstorphine School in Dunedin. Sponsor needed Dads play their part It’s often the case that dads are underestimated when it comes to the contribution they make to their kids’ learning. During the week of 31 August Scholastic went some way towards dispelling the myth that fathers often take a back seat. All Duffy schools held special Scholastic Caught Being a Good Dad assemblies to recognise that dads have a huge influence on the reading habits of their kids. This year, schools picked one special dad or father figure and honoured them with a certificate and book presented at a school assembly. This year’s award, sponsored by Scholastic NZ, was Australian & World Records 2009, which included hundreds of amazing records and fun photos. Duffy Books in Homes General Manager, Linda Vagana, says ‘This award really represents the type of dad who, more than CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Pere Maiava helps out with school trips, anything else, really cares about the wellbeing of their children and camps and the Santa parade at Papatoetoe West School – an all-round great community.’ dad! School Sponsor: Mainfreight Limited KJ Edwards and his four boys proudly show off his prize in front of Okaihau Schools choose their dad in many different ways.