Schools programme may come to Christchurch

An innovative primary school programme taking Neighbourhood Support into the classroom may soon be extended into Christchurch.

Waikuku School in North Canterbury is the first in the South Island to run Junior Neighbourhood Support (JNS) programme, which aims to reward good behaviour and safety-consciousness. Programme founder Trish Maxwell is due to speak to the city council on October 27 to discuss extending it into Christchurch schools.

The pilot programme started last week and represents an extension of the Neighbourhood Support concept into schools. Children who stand up against bullying, graffiti and littering will have their good deeds recognised through a fortnightly awards system. It is due to run for the rest of the term, culminating in end of year prizes for the 10 best good deeds.

These will be made up of Orana Park, QEII and Readings Cinema family passes. The programme is already running at two North Island schools in Wairoa and Auckland.

The co-ordinator of North Canterbury Neighbourhood Support, Nicki Carmody, said if the Waikuku programme was successful, JNS would be extended into a second school in the Waimakariri next year.