Pupils plot to award teacher

BOX OF JOY: Castlecliff pupils were thrilled with the contents of the big OfficeMax box of surprises.

Castlecliff School teacher Ashlee McLeod received a pleasant surprise last week when a big box containing $1000 worth of OfficeMax stationery products was delivered to her classroom.

Ms Mcleod is a winner of the OfficeMax A Day Made Better programme that recognises the contribution of teachers who go above and beyond the call of duty for their students.

Principal Katherine Ellery said the class nominated their teacher for the award and managed to keep quiet about it even though they are year 1 students.

"The little ones had to go to another teacher and she recruited some older students to help with the nomination," she said.

Several year 6 students, Pippi Brooker-Spooner, Izy Nuku, Coby Clare and Kayley Ngataierua took on the job of gathering nominations and Ms Mcleod was unaware that anything was going on until her prize arrived.

Along with the stationery, regional OfficeMax manager Bert Cody and Whanganui manager Colin Scott arrived with a big bouquet and framed award to present to Ms McLeod.

Ms McLeod's class will get the benefit of sharing her prize with her, as they will also get to use the stationery items from the big box, which contained a range of items from educational games to a soap-making kit.

Mr Scott presented all the class with a multi-coloured rubberband ball each and the year 6 helpers each received a new, full pencil-case or an OfficeMax cap.

Ms McLeod said she could not be more delighted with the prize.

"I really love stationery, so this the ideal for me," she said.

Ms McLeod is one of 15 teachers from across the country selected from hundreds of entries and the only teacher in the Whanganui/Manawatu region.

"I'm so humbled to have been nominated for this award. For me, the opportunity to help students learn and grow is the reward of teaching.

"The thanks typically comes from seeing a student learn something new and build their confidence," Ms McLeod said.

"Having my students and peers take the time to thank me with this amazing surprise was incredible."

Ms McLeod is from Palmerston North and began teaching at Castlecliff School at the beginning of the year.