Read about it! Newsletter No. 56 May 2012 BRINGING BOOKS AND CHILDREN TOGETHER SINCE 1995 ISSN 1177-0562 Dr. Ben Carson wows kids and adults alike Internationally renowned paediatric Dr. Carson, who came to prominence through neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson inspired his lifesaving surgery to separate twins joined at thousands of Duffy kids when he spoke the head, spoke to more than 5000 Duffy kids, to two jam-packed events at Auckland’s teachers and parents about growing up in poverty TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre on in Detroit before having his eyes opened by his March 6. mother when she made him and his brother turn off the TV and read two books a Further highlights of the evening included week from the Detroit Public Library. a rousing performance by opera singer Kids came from far and wide to Ben Makisi, Duffy kids from Bairds hear his messages – some of which Mainfreight Primary School singing the you can read on page two of this Duffy song, a moving story from Starship newsletter. mum Anna Rennie and even a cameo He was welcomed by a powhiri appearance by the Topp Twins! conducted by children from Wiri Throughout the evening auctions and raffles Central School, Bairds Mainfreight were held and more than $210,000 was Primary School, Koru School raised for Duffy and Starship. The proceeds and Rosebank School. This was will go towards supporting Duffy schools followed by a record-setting in need of sponsorship and also to help performance of the Duffy song! rebuild Starship’s Neuroservices and Medical That same evening Dr. Carson was Specialty Wards – both are causes close the guest of honour at a fundraising to Dr. Carson’s heart. dinner for Duffy Books in Homes May 2012 and the Starship Foundation at the SKYCITY Convention Centre. Dr. Carson gave a keynote address and was later interviewed by about it! Paul Holmes about his life and achievements. Read The printing of this newsletter is kindly sponsored by Soar Printing From the Office Kia Ora, Talofa lava, Malo e lelei, Kia Hi parents! orana, Nisa Bula Vinaka, Fakalofa lahi On the front page of this newsletter you will atu, Taloha Ni, Namaste, Annyong, have seen that Dr. Ben Carson recently Warm greetings, to all Duffy Books in visited New Zealand and spoke to more than Homes schools, sponsors, role models, 5000 Duffy kids in Auckland. supporters and families We thought we’d take the chance to share We hope you enjoyed a well-deserved some his wisdom with you in this column. break during the Christmas and New Year period and are now settled in after the first “Here is the treasure chest of the world - term of the year. The Duffy office has had a the public library, or a bookstore.” very busy start to the year and things don’t FAMILY CORNER look like slowing down anytime soon! “Success is determined not by whether or not you face obstacles, You will have already read about the but by your reaction to them. And if you look at these obstacles as amazing turnout we had for the events a containing fence, they become your excuse for failure. If you look with Dr. Ben Carson on March 6. at them as a hurdle, each one strengthens you for the next.” The chance to have Dr. Carson talk to so many children was one we simply “I am convinced that knowledge is power - to overcome couldn’t pass up and we’re sure his the past, to change our own situations, to fight new inspiring words have resonated with obstacles, to make better decisions.” many of those who attended. From a financial perspective the fundraising “Reading activates and exercises the mind. Reading forces the dinner in conjunction with the Starship mind to discriminate. From the beginning, readers have to recognize Foundation was a huge success for Duffy. letters printed on the page, make them into words, the words into Our share of the funds raised is enough to sentences, and the sentences into concepts. Reading pushes us to sponsor more than 8000 Duffy kids for an use our imagination and makes us more creatively inclined.” entire year! Our thanks go out to all the sponsors who “The brain can process two million bits of information made both events possible and a special per second. It remembers everything you’ve ever seen, mention goes to Kevin Drinkwater of everything you’ve ever heard…so you have to be careful Mainfreight and Michelle Boag who both what you put in there.” gave their time and skills very generously to help make the visit the success it was. “The doors of the world are opened to A big thanks also to the Auckland schools people who can read.” that assisted with the planning of the children’s event – we couldn’t have done it without you! “We get out of life what Term One’s Role Model assemblies we put into it. The way we were again successful with dozens of treat others is the way we inspirational people visiting well over ourselves get treated.” 500 schools from Te Hapua to Bluff. Their messages continue to strike a chord with kids who we have no doubt will go on to be lifelong readers. We’re now looking forward to Term Two which will see the Scholastic Caught Being a Good Mum Award and Government Book Week feature on the Duffy calendar. Take care and happy reading May 2012 Linda Vagana about it! GENERAL MANAGER Read Share market leader gives back Listed global logistics company certificate signed by Bruce Plested, Mainfreight’s of such an award – promoting excellence and Mainfreight has been one of the darlings Executive Chairman. Many schools choose awarding our future young leaders in Duffy schools of the New Zealand share market since to make this their major end of year prize for nationwide,” she said. it went public in 1996. Coincidentally, its departing students. FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: listing came just a year after it became Mafutaga Faaleaoga was Last year’s book prize was The Complete presented the award by Nick Tauiliili who won the one of the founding supporters of Duffy Human Body – The Definitive Visual Guide by award twice while at Wiri Central School! School Books in Homes. Dr. Alice Roberts. The book uses computer- Sponsor: Goodman Property Services (NZ) Ltd. Kaikohe East School decided to pitch in and award In addition to sponsoring 54 of the 527 schools generated illustrations and the latest medical and two students the award last year. Brucelia Tau and microscopic imaging to explain every aspect of involved in the programme, Mainfreight provides a Piripi Gordon were the deserving winners. rent-free office, allowing Duffy to direct more of its the human body more clearly than ever before. School Sponsor: Mainfreight Whangarei funding towards books which make their way into Representatives from Mainfreight, Daily Freight, Picton School’s 2011 award went to Jack the hands of more than 100,000 children in low- Owens and Chemcouriers are invited to visit McFadden for being hard working and successful in all areas of the curriculum. Here he is with income communities nationwide. schools and help present the award – an John Cleary from Mainfreight Blenheim. School One of Mainfreight’s most anticipated contributions opportunity which they all relish. Sponsor: Nicci Best and Greg Bloomer to the Duffy programme is the annual Mainfreight Linda Vagana believes that Mainfreight’s support Pembroke School recognised Lauren Stewart as Award for Excellence in Attitude. has been a cornerstone of the charity’s success. their recipient. What a winning smile! Sponsor needed “Mainfreight’s amazing success as a company Each year a senior student in each Duffy school is Theo Purves was the well-decorated winner at awarded a high quality reference book, cup and over the years makes them the ideal supporter St Anne’s School in Newtown. School Sponsor: ANZ Business Bank and EFTPOS Grandparents recognised at last Everyone loves taking part in Mother’s their lucky grandparent in many different ways. a land of outstanding beauty in a selection and Father’s Day but it’s easy to forget Children might write stories or poems about of more than 140 breathtaking aerial images, that kids often have a lot to thank their them or if the choice is too hard then there representing more than a decade’s work and grandparents for too. might be a lucky draw. In 2011 they were hundreds of hours’ flying time. The book is recognised at a special assembly during the accompanied by a special certificate. Every year Duffy makes a point of rewarding week of 7 November. grandparents who have gone the extra mile. Linda Vagana, says “With grandparents taking They may have helped with coaching a sports Last year’s award was New Zealand from Above such an active role in supporting families we team, doing maintenance around the school or by David Wall and Philip Temple, published by think it’s important that they are recognised, even simply spending extra time helping their New Holland Publishers. The book celebrates just like mums and dads.” grandchildren with their reading. Schools in the programme then choose one lucky grandparent to win the Caught Being a Good Grandparent Award. Schools choose CLOCK WISE FROM TOP LEFT: Joy Zaloum is often at Beach Haven School helping out - garden art, Kapahaka group and decorative curtains are all part of her repertoire! Here she is with granddaughters Lula and Ava. School Sponsor: New World Warkworth Kalolo Perez was ‘Caught Being a Good Grandparent’ because he supports his granddaughter Anastasia Perez by coming along any performances at St Bernadette’s School in Wellington.