There’s a hero inside every one of us; within the school community, from the administration personnel, to the teachers and learners. Acknowledging this, and in keeping with our theme – “Inspired by Heroes” – the 2011 Pick n Pay School Club has identified five categories to assist schools in selecting their heroes. The Hero Awards will take place each month from March through to October. The first seven heroes will be learners (March through to September) with the eighth hero, in October, being a teacher hero (to coincide with National Teacher’s Month).

The five categories are as follows:

1. Leadership.

2. Community upliftment

3. Sport

4. Overcoming hardship

5. Academic excellence

How does it work?

To help put the Hero Awards initiative into effect, schools can simply follow these five easy steps:

1. On a day-to-day basis keep a lookout for any heroic acts by your learners; whatever they may be, no matter how small they seem, any step taken towards bravery should not go unnoticed.

2. For each month, (from March through to October), reward the learner you have identified as the Hero of the Month with a certificate which is included in your 2011 Pick n Pay School Club kit, preferably at a gathering such as your daily/weekly assembly. You can also invite your local Pick n Pay Customer Services Manager to hand over the award, with the local newspaper.

3. Identify one overall Hero of the Month and then we would love you to create two identical posters. On these posters include the learner’s picture, a brief description of his/her act of heroism and a direct quote from the learner. Place one of the posters in a high traffic area of your school and mail the other to the 2010 Pick n Pay School Club.

4. So everyone may know and acknowledge our heroes, the second poster may be used to provide feedback to Pick n Pay stores to help generate awareness of the unsung heroes.

5. Use the same method from step 3 to identify a teacher hero in the month of October for National Teachers Day which is celebrated annually on 5 October across the world. The day aims to raise awareness, understanding and appreciation for the contribution teachers make to education.

This initiative not only recognises the everyday (and exceptional) acts of heroism taking place within the South African school community, but also encourages and fosters the development of emotional intelligence within our learners by creating role models.

Hero certificates were provided as part of your first 2011 Pick n Pay School Club kit. We have received some amazing stories from our local heroes and would love for you to share them with us, so please send us your completed Hero Awards poster (with a photo) to 2011 Pick n Pay School Club, Postnet suite 331, Private Bag x 51, Bryanston, 2021.

Competition
In 2011 we want to know who your heroes are. Keep a record of your heroes each month in a portfolio and share with us their acts of bravery and courage. Be sure to include exciting and awesome news and pictures to make your hero portfolio really amazing. At the end of October, we would love for you to send your portfolio in to the above address. The best portfolios will win a share a R40,000!

Want to know more?
Should you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact the Pick n Pay School Club on telephone 011 706 6016 via fax 086 646 6330 or by email at angelique@hdiyouth.co.za

Hero Awards newsletter
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