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West Auckland pupils are about to become Warrior Kids.
Safe Waitakere has brought 400 copies of the novel Warrior Kids to give to 50 West Auckland schools.
Written by Waitakere children’s author Tim Tipene, Warrior Kids tells the tale of two youngsters’ quest to learn self-respect, respect for others, truth, consequences and how to become a warrior kid.
The novel is based on the Warrior Kids Programme Tim founded in 1994, and taught until last year, to help children develop confidence, respect and the skills to handle difficult situations.
Peninsula Primary School, on Te Atatu Peninsula, will receive eight copies of the book it believes has the power to alter children’s behaviour.
Deputy principal Leonie Blackburn says 150 students have completed the Warrior Kids Programme since 2003, and staff and parents noticed a change in students’ attitudes and actions.
Leonie says from reading the book, which will be available at the school library, students will learn ways to solve problems other than through violence.
She says the novel teaches understanding and that if children get to know each other they may find they have a lot in common.
‘They can learn not to take a child at face value,’ says Leonie.
Tim says the novel follows the techniques, games and strategies he used running the programme and schools could adapt their own course from it.
He says the programme and the book emphasise children are responsible for their behaviour and they have choices about how they act. Leonie says children will be encouraged to read the book via excerpts read at assembly.
Safe Waitakere crime prevention programme leader Mark Maxlow says Safe Waitakere approved funding for the book to support its anti-bullying message.
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