OfficeMax joined students from 15 primary and intermediate schools across New Zealand to surprise and thank their teachers through the OfficeMax A Day Made Better programme that recognises the contribution of teachers who go above and beyond the call of duty.

The A Day Made Better team travelled across the country to surprise the winning teachers in their classrooms, at assembly, in the school’s marae and even on the sports field during athletics day. The recipients were selected from hundreds of peer-submitted entries and received flowers; and $1,000 worth of OfficeMax arts and crafts, stationery and office supplies for their classroom. 

OfficeMax New Zealand’s General Manager of Education, Dr Suzanne Flannagan, said that the programme is now in its seventh year globally and since it was introduced in New Zealand the standard of nominations keeps climbing.

“We adapted the global A Day Made Better programme, which began in the US in 2007, to really make it New Zealand’s own by rewarding primary and intermediate teachers who are known for their passion and enthusiasm and for continually inspiring their students,” Suzanne said.

“While we are so fortunate to have such high calibre teachers in this country, it made the judging process very difficult.

To ensure fairness, teacher and school names were eliminated from all applications. The judging panel, which included Phil Harding, Kevin Bush and Gavin Beere from the New Zealand Principals' Federation, all agreed that the quality of the applications was exceptional, with the winners being outstanding candidates.”

“The surprise, flowers and stationery were well received but it was the outside recognition that really seemed to touch the hearts of the teachers, with some tearing up at the applause."

New Zealand teachers that were recognised included:

·         Mrs Deborah Forsyth, Westport South School, Westport;

·         Mrs Wendy Huriwai, Southbridge School, Southbridge;

·         Mrs Karen Huffadine, Cromwell Primary School, Cromwell;

·         Ms Reno Moosman, Waimana School, Waimana;

·         Mr Tumii Poko, Manurewa Intermediate, Auckland;

·         Mr Billy Hadnett, St Peter’s College, Auckland;

·         Mrs Carol Morris, Cargill Open Plan School, Tokoroa;

·         Mr Michael Black, Longford Intermediate, Gore;

·         Miss Kirsten Berry, Muritai School, Lower Hutt;

·         Miss Jenni Williams, Bohally Intermediate, Blenheim;

·         Mr Warwick Grady, Palmerston North Intermediate, Palmerston North;

·         Mrs Catherine Murray, Broadwood Area School, Broadwood;

·         Mr Todd Williams, Patumahoe Primary School, Pukekohe;

·         Mrs Helen Crawford, TKKM o Mangatuna, Tolaga Bay;

·         Mrs Viv Booth, Solway School, Masterton;