Shaping futures in New Zealand
Auckland, January 2012 - Early Childhood students from around Auckland are to thank for the new piece of exciting
artwork hanging on the wall of the playroom at Starship Children’s Hospital in Auckland.
Five winning works of art was chosen from more than 250 entries in the ‘Shaping Futures’ drawing competition run by the
specialist education division of recruitment & HR services company, Randstad.
During August and September, Randstad Education ran the competition inspiring children in early childhood centres around
Auckland to think about, and draw a picture of what they would like to be when they grow up. Entries ranged from
policemen, firemen, teachers and artists, through to musicians, rugby players, an acrobat and even a mum. The six
winning entries have been made into a canvas to hang on the wall of the playroom at Starship Children’s hospital.
“Randstad employees aim to shape the world of work for people every day. The Shaping Futures competition is about
encouraging young children to imagine what they would like to be when they grow up,” says Donna Mendjan, General Manager
of Randstad New Zealand.
“The competition built excitement, discussion and an interesting topic focus in early childhood centres throughout
Auckland. I heard there were many colourful, informative and entertaining discussions around all the different careers
you could have, and some parents were invited to talk to the children about their unique job. The feedback has been
extremely positive from teachers, parents and children involved as this subject helped build children’s self-belief they
can be whatever they want to be if they set their hearts and minds to it.”
Randstad Education pledged to make a donation for every drawing received as part of their long-standing commitment to
the Starship Foundation to ensure the playrooms at the hospital remain open and staffed with registered carers.
“We are very passionate about our support for the Starship Foundation, the hospital and their playrooms and hope this
continued support will help to purchase new toys and equipment and guarantee a smile on every child’s face when they
walk into the playroom.”
As a result of the competition, Randstad Education made a donation of $1,000 to the Foundation as well as presenting the
playroom at Starship Hospital with a canvas of the winning entries.
“Selecting the six winners out of more than 250 entries was a difficult task and we were certainly heartened to see all
the budding young artists throughout Auckland,” says Mendjan.
The young artists who created the winning entries each won themselves a gift voucher and a canvas containing the six
winning entries will be presented to the early childhood centre where they attend.
Randstad looks after the recruitment, management and funding of staff who run the playrooms on each hospital ward of
Starship Children’s Hospital. These playrooms offer children visiting or staying in the ward a fun distraction from
their hospital stay, as well as providing a child-friendly way of explaining operations or treatments they are due to
undergo.
Randstad specialises in executive recruitment, HR Solutions and temporary and permanent staffing across a wide range of
specialist industry sectors and professions. The Randstad Group employs more than 520,000 people every day with the aim
of taking the lead by shaping the world of work. Visit www.randstad.co.nz for further information.
ENDS