Building Character - Universal Childrens Audio - Award-Winning Children's Music

“If your school is prepared to address the issues of values education, then I highly recommend the Virtues Project. Otari School has worked with the Virtues Project as part of our Values Education Programme for two years. It helps us to demonstrate and explain positive behaviours and has supported our work by giving us the language to teach inclusiveness and respect. Children are beginning to discuss their behaviours in a way that doesn’t blame or shame. They are learning to self reflect.”

Michelle Whiting, Principal

"Since implementing the Virtues Project School wide we have less physical aggression in our playground because the students have a language that empowers them to express the qualities they need to grow that are already inside them. The strategies of the Virtues Project are becoming a away of life for staff and children of Frankton Primary and is beginning to carry our whole Frankton Community upward’’

Judy Dixon, Principal

“I use the Virtues Programme to teach children accountability. Knowing the Virtues helps children to develop spirituality which supports the most important aspect of self esteem. With this wonderful knowledge they are able to make conscious choices. In other words, they are free to be happy.”

Judi Paape, Head of Lower School

“In my role as teacher, the Virtues have taught me a way of ‘being’ that empowers and honours all members of our learning community.”

Fiona Wall, Lecturer

‘’At Shannon School we consider the strength of the Virtues Project lies in its ability to enhance the lives of the adults and children equally in our community. This is not a programme we teach but a journey our staff and children have embarked on together. We are on a quest to build strong and good community character traits in each other. Our gifts of character do become who we are and not something that needs to be managed, disciplined and punished.’’

Heather Ayerst, Principal

“Speaking the language of the Virtues has had an impact in my class/school almost overnight. It's so affirming when you hear kids speaking the language to each other! Interestingly our school spent Wednesday night / Thursday down at the local marae. Before one of the local kaumatua addressed us, I asked what modes of behaviour we could portray. I was astounded when the kids responded "reverently, courteously, and with respect!! - which they did for maybe 10 minutes after which time restlessness overtook them. - Hey next time it could be 15 minutes!!”

Hera Linter-Cole

"Virtues are working at Owhiro Bay School is because it is school-wide. It provides a structure for both teachers and children. People are now more comfortable with terms like perserverance and purposefulness. We did a survey of parents recently and asked them what things they feel Owhiro Bay School does well. Some of the responses were "teachers really listen to children", "the Virtues social skills programme", "the positive welcoming environment" and "the growth of self-esteem through virtues". We're proud that we're doing well in this area but are not content to rest here. We've had a planning session reviewing our values education programme and will be working hard to put more emphasis on service over the coming months. We want to encourage the development of heart and spirit by looking for things like children helping other children, noticing when children are giving of their time and energy to others, giving them opportunities to be more involved in giving awards to others and perhaps in doing some fundraising."

Karen Hardy , Principal