Hill top School Taupo

Hill top School Taupo

A programme designed to be totally inclusive of the school community and the extended family members ie Nana’s and Poppa’s. All members were referred to as the “Hilltop Team”  All age levels were involved to achieve the common goal- walking around the world- 46,076kms.
This is a programme designed to be developed and totally run by 3 student committees.
All students were handed an International Passport where they could record their daily mileage. No student was allowed to walk by themselves-milage had to be witnessed. This was not related to mistrust but to developing/ reinforcing the relationship concept- friendship; looking after each other; “getting to know you”; talking and laughing together. Parents/grandparents mileage could be added if they walked with the Passport owner- family bonding.
A round the world road was established in the school hall with 16 destination points along the journey eg. Sydney, Rome, New York. On collecting the weekly mileage totals across the school, if a destination point was reached each class would receive a chart highlighting information about that city as well a road safety message, a value statement, maori proverb etc. The large red foot would be moved along the road.
Hilltop School and the school community averaged 5000kms each week. To assist pupils a 1km track was established on the school grounds where students could walk with their friends during the intervals.
Prior to the commencement and during the programme key road safety messages were reinforced.
The student committee also allowed students who cycled or those who were swimming club members to include their distances. As the members mentioned ‘we could cycle through some countries or swim across an ocean’
Our Target was to complete the journey in 10 weeks, it was achieved in 8. In fact as the we neared home every one became extra enthusiastic our final total was 43,678 km. A child said “Wow!! We are in Sydney again”

Further information: roadsafetytaupo@gmail.com, .