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Award for teaching children self-respectWanganui Chronicle
Janet Worfolk is the recipient of the first Safer Wanganui Award, which was given out during the Safer Wanganui accreditation this week. Mrs Worfolk received the award for her work with Junior Neighbourhood Support, a programme that began with two schools last year, and will include seven schools by January. Mrs Worfolk said the purpose of the programme was to promote a sense of pride, safety and community spirit in the children and in the school community. Children are rewarded for their good behaviours such as fair play, bike safety, respect, helping others, removal of graffiti and helping prevent bullying. This year 17 children who were seen as particularly good role models, from five participating schools, were treated to a trip to Wellington Zoo. The first Junior Neighbourhood Support programme began in Wairoa, Hawke's Bay, and Mrs Worfolk adapted it to fit Wanganui's needs. She said the award was "an absolute surprise". "I feel so pleased for all the children who have taken part, and everyone that has supported us. I'm thrilled Junior Neighbourhood Support has been recognised." Mrs Worfolk said she could not do her work with Junior Neighbourhood Support without extensive community support from Mars Petcare, RSA, St John's Club, Wanganui East Club, Cosmopolitan Club, Rotary, Lotteries, Whanganui Police, Wanganui Fire Service, Wanganui Civil Defence and Margaret Watt Children's Trust.
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