To acknowledge students who 'strive for excellence' as leaders and role models at Otahuhu Intermediate School.
MERIT AWARDS
* each teacher may award a maximum of three (3) merit cards per week
* the merit cards may be awarded to a student for any positive purpose
* the merit cards will be awarded to the students at syndicate/school
assemblies
WHAT CAN MERIT AWARDS BE AWARDED FOR?
A student May be awarded a Merit Award for involvement in class or extra-curricula activities. These may range from -
CLASSROOM
* classroom related activities eg: can be awarded by classroom teacher, specialist or support teacher
* outstanding behaviour eg: can be awarded by any staff member
SCHOOL-WIDE EXTRA CURRICULA
* academic excellence eg: Australian exam with Merit/Distinction, speech contest, Mathex, Science Fair
* sporting excellence eg: S.Z. sports tournament, rugby competition, after school competitions
* cultural excellence eg: APPA choir, APOPS programme, art competitions, kapa haka group
* environmental excellence eg: trees for survival programme, recycling, worm farm, projects
SERVICE TO THE SCHOOL
* providing a service to the school eg: librarian, health council, AV monitors, office monitors, road patrols
LEADERSHIP QUALITIES
* displaying excellent leadership qualities in the classroom, playground and school
WHAT YOU NEED TO GET A HONOURS BADGE
A student must have 10 or more Merit Awards which cover the categories listed below
(3) Three Merit Awards for CLASSROOM RELATED ACTIVITIES
· these can be received from the classroom teacher, specialist teacher, teacher aides and support teachers.
(4) Four Merit Awards for SCHOOL-WIDE EXTRA CURRICULA ACTIVITIES
NOTE: These may be academic, physical, cultural or environmental activities.
· these can be received from any staff member
(2) Two Merit Awards for SERVICE TO THE SCHOOL
· these can be issued by any staff member
(1) One Merit Award for displaying 'LEADERSHIP QUALITIES' at school
· these can be received from any staff member
HOW DOES A STUDENT RECEIVE A HONOURS BADGE
Step 1. A student collects 10 or more Merit Awards meeting the criteria listed above.
Step 2. Student hands their 10 or more Merit Awards to the office receptionists.
Step 3. The student's awards are checked related to the criteria by the receptionist.
Step 4. The student's name is forwarded to Monday Forum/Staff Meeting for staff discussion and confirmation regarding the student's suitability to being a "Honours Badge Student."
Step 5. The student is awarded the Honours Badge at the next school assembly.
IF HONOURS BADGE NOT AWARDED
If the student is NOT awarded the Honours Badge, the reason for not presenting the award must be discussed with the student by the Deputy Principal or Principal. Once the discussion has occurred, an action plan needs to be established with the student and the DP/Principal. In the action plan there will be a review date for the student.
CAN YOU LOSE YOUR HONOURS BADGE?
Yes you can. Very rarely does a Honours Badge get removed from a student. If this is necessary, the DP or Principal will discuss the reason why the Honours Badge is being removed. The student and DP/Principal will develop an action plan to allow the student an opportunity to gain their Honours Badge back.