Schools Have One Month To Seize The Opportunity

Wednesday, April 3 2002

Just one month remains for New Zealand schools to enter the 2001 Goodman Fielder School of the Year Awards and secure their chance to be officially acknowledged as New Zealand’s top school and win $50,000 cash.

All schools were sent an entry pack in December last year inviting them to take part in the awards. They have until 5pm, Friday May 3 to submit an entry. The awards, designed to showcase and reward outstanding achievements in education, are being held for the fifth year.

To recognise this milestone, Managing Director of Goodman Fielder Limited Ron Vela, says a one-off Fifth Year Award will be presented to a school that has shown continued excellence and ongoing commitment and contribution to the awards.

This year the awards welcome former Governor General, Sir Michael Hardie Boys as chairperson of the Judging Panel, replacing former Prime Minister, David Lange. Internationally acclaimed educational resources and book publisher, Wendy Pye is also a new member of the panel.

“We hope many schools embrace this opportunity for their staff’s hard work, dedication and successes to be recognised nationally by their peers and public, and wish all those that enter the very best in the 2001 Goodman Fielder School of the Year Awards,”
says Mr Vela.

The 2001 awards have kicked off on a promising note. Since entry packs were sent to schools Goodman Fielder has received an unprecedented number of enquiries, up 25% on this time last year, from schools wanting to enter for the first time.

Schools simply have to enter under one of the five competition categories that best fits their school type and size and provide details of their performance. Schools in similar circumstances will be measured against core judging criteria which includes academic progress, cultural and sporting achievements, relationship with the community, teacher involvement, and effective use of budget.

The $100,000 prize pool will see five schools each receiving a cash prize of $10,000 and a trophy, with a further $40,000 and supreme trophy awarded to the overall winner. The 10 runners up will also receive $1000 cash and a certificate.

Merit certificates will be awarded to 20 schools that show outstanding achievement in a particular aspect of their entry. A certificate will also be presented to the winner of the Fifth Year Award.

The Goodman Fielder School of the Year website is designed to help schools with their entry and also allows them to download the entry form and submit their entry online. The site is accessed by visiting www.goodmanfielder.com.au through the Community Relations’ link.

Fifteen finalists will be advised in late May with a staff and student representative from each school flown to attend a special ceremony at Te Papa in Wellington on Wednesday June 26, 2002 where the winners will be announced.

Prepared on behalf of Goodman Fielder by Porter Novelli New Zealand.

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