Being a winner

There are so many reasons to put a few hours aside to get an entry in for the Kidsfirst #betterbecause Values awards, and with a 30 April deadline there's still time.

Previous winners tell us the awards, which recognise teaching teams and Head Office staff who go above and beyond every day kindergarten initiatives, meant a proud moment for their teams. There were unexpected benefits, too.

CAPTION: (from L to R) Nicola Gardiner, Liz Morritt, and Shirley James, from Kidsfirst Sumner receive their 2020 Whānau Award.

1. Celebrating and Strengthening Community Connection

Kidsfirst Sumner won the 2020 Whānau award. Head Teacher, Liz Morritt, told us after the awards last year that, while the recognition was special to the teaching team, it stretched beyond them.

“We were really excited to be honest, because the award has so much meaning for us as teachers, but more importantly it matters to our community. It was great to be able to have that for our whānau. It represents the deep relationships that we form with our whānau and that they are reciprocal. It's part of our vision and part of who we are here in Sumner.”

Teacher Nicola Gardiner said whānau were as engaged and excited as the tamariki.

“It’s a very close knit community out here in Sumner, people were really excited, even those who don’t really come here knew about it.”

Kidsfirst Parklands took out the special Board Award in 2020. Head Teacher Helen Smith said that displaying the award was special - but it has also been important to provide context around it.

“We did ask for a copy of the words for the community - while it’s nice to put the certificate up we wanted to show people what the award is about.”

2. Appreciation for whānau and their role

Liz said the process of writing their application was a rich experience for the Sumner team.

“When we were working on it over lockdown, it made us think back to all the different ways that parents have gone above and beyond at Sumner. We realised, 'Oh my gosh, this is why whānau are so important to us,' because when you look at it all together, you realise how far reaching it is.”

Kidsfirst Karoro Head Teacher, Tim Eden-Calcott loves the way the awards showcase the hard work and contribution of whānau.

"They really showcase that Kiwi DIY spirit to parents, with and alongside their kids. It sets a great example for everyone. And, it's nice to get that acknowledgement - in any job it can feel like a lot of the work you do goes unseen, behind closed doors."

3. A chance to spread the word about #betterbecause and show how the values make a difference

Liz Morritt's feedback from colleagues and past parents has been positive, Liz told us. "People out there really value that Kidsfirst have these awards and that there's real meaning behind them, especially for teachers and everyday practice.”

CAPTION: Kidsfirst Karoro Head Teacher, Tim Eden-Calcott had an awards ceremony all of his own when Kidsfirst Chief Executive, Sherryll Wilson presented his Champion award to him with tamariki, friends, whānau and community members looking on.

"I was actually part of the working party that put the original awards together, and I think they really showcase what we see as important as kindy teachers every day," Tim Eden-Calcott said. "It's highlighting what we do - the values actually derive from what we do already - they highlight the natural parts of who we are."

4. Being recognised makes all the hard work worth it

CAPTION: Kidsfirst Hawea's Kylie Arnesen receives her Champion Award from Sherryll.

Kidsfirst Champion Award winner, Kylie Arnesen said that receiving an award recognising hard work put everything into perspective.

“It does make everything worthwhile: You go through busy days in a busy place. Having that extra effort recognised makes you want to carry on.”

Kylie's award was a surprise.

“It was quite unexpected, so I was overwhelmed to begin with. For me, it’s all just part of my job and nothing too out of the ordinary, but I did feel quite humbled that my team felt they could nominate me.”

CAPTION: (from L to R) Nicola Orton, Helen Smith, and Keryn Stanley, from Kidsfirst Parklands, with their 2020 Board Award

Kidsfirst Parklands Head Teacher Helen Smith said her team shared the recognition for the award with whānau.

“For the teaching team it's acknowledging some very hard work that has gone on in the last 18 months or so. It’s like when you do anything - it’s nice when someone says, ‘hey, well done.’”

Helen said that what makes the award significant is that the team received it for just being themselves.

“We’ve just been us! We haven’t looked and thought let’s try and win this, it’s more of an award that acknowledges good practice and an encapsulation of good values.”

5. It helps keep the team focused on the things that make Kidsfirst special

For Kylie Arnesen, keeping values alive is something that is a priority every day - but it doesn’t happen by accident.

“They’re definitely something that needs to be maintained, and you have to have buy-in from your whole team. It takes a bit of work - not just walk in the door and carry on. You have to have some forward planning, come in early and get people on board.”