A little known, but quite visionary requirement of “Tomorrows Schools” was a mandatory requirement for all schools to develop a Role Model Policy. The rational for this was to ensure that all schools recognised the importance of providing their pupils with exposure to positive role models from a variety of different aspects of life or to provide compensatory role models.

A little known, but quite visionary requirement of “Tomorrows Schools” was a mandatory requirement for all schools to develop a Role Model Policy. The rational for this was to ensure that all schools recognised the importance of providing their pupils with exposure to positive role models from a variety of different aspects of life or to provide compensatory role models.

The last New Zealand Census showed 55,000 children were growing up in homes without a male role model in the home. Overseas research suggests that where children are without positive role models, they will seek them from the world of fantasy and the media. There is plenty of evidence that supports the positive benefits of children having high expectations, setting goals and generally “aiming high.” The world of business, sport and employment has a multiplicity of examples of people who had a dream or a vision and attained it by working hard towards their goals.

At Matipo Primary School we have developed the concept of the “Reach For the Stars” Role Model Programme. It is a basically simple idea – bringing various speakers from all walks of life but who have one thing in common – they are all successful adults. We have had the mayor, national politicians, sports people, entertainers, and people from various employment occupations.

The children get exposure to a “famous” person they have seen on television. The role model talks about their life and career and how they got to their goals. Through questioning, we are able to draw out the values that were important to that person’s success – aiming high, setting goals, working hard, obeying your parents, doing your homework etc.

We are trying to get a wide variety of role model visitors, not just famous sports stars. People with interesting occupations – the 767 pilot, the women airforce helicopter pilot, the solo mother who completed a degree part-time are just as important and as inspirational as the All Black star.

Our positive role model programme is complemented by our Values Education Programme which also takes place at out special assembly time. Here the principal talks each week about a theme with a moral or values basis. Sometimes it will be developed from an example of something that has happened at school or it will come from reading a booklet series about various values. The common theme that prevails is to treat others, as you would have others treat you.

Schools can not isolate themselves from their socialisation obligations or from the necessity to full the moral values vacuum created by the breakdown of the traditional providing institutions – the church, boy scouts, guides, even the home. Through our Role Model Programme and our Values Education assemblies, Matipo Primary School tries to encourage our pupils to “Reach For the Stars”