The Books in Homes Programme was inspired by Alan Duff who, with the help of Christine Fernyhough, developed the idea after realising that failures in adult life often stem from childhoods spent in bookless homes. The philosophy behind the programme is simple - to break the cycle of 'booklessness'. Kids who can't read become adults who can't communicate and that's a serious disadvantage in a world that operates on the written word. The schools are selected from areas where the children are most likely to come from bookless homes. The Ministry of Education allocates schools a decile rating of between 1 and 10, according to the socio-economic status of the community in which a school is based. Books in Homes focuses on lower decile schools. Why? Because over half the parents in decile 1 catchments are without a school qualification. Furthermore, 42 percent of parents in decile 1 catchments received income support in the year preceding the 1996 Census, compared to just 7 percent for decile 10 catchment areas. Quite simply, the children from these schools are most likely to come from bookless homes. Alan's self-help philosophy is reflected by the fact that each school joins in a financial partnership with their sponsors to fund their books. The books are selected by the children themselves and are theirs to take home and keep. Each book has a sticky label which has the child's name in it as well as the name of the school and sponsor who have given the book. Since its inception, the programme has grown rapidly. There are currently 510 schools with over 90,000 kids all receiving a minimum five books per year. Twice a year special Role Model Assemblies are held at every school. Sportspeople, musicans, artists, writers, radio personalities, television presenters, fashion designers and many other New Zealanders visit Duffy schools, present books and talk to the kids about their achievements and goals. They tell the kids "It's Cool to Read" and make a connection between success and reading. There are several other dimensions to the Books in Homes programme: In addition to Duffy kids receiving five books each a year, they have the opportunity to earn more books through a weekly Caught Being Good Award. This award not only reinforces positive behaviour, it places value on books as a reward. The 'Caught Being a Good Mum', 'Caught Being a Good Dad' and 'Caught Being a Good Grandparent' awards celebrate Mother's and Father's Day and grandparents. A book and certificate is awarded to parents and caregivers who have been reading to their kids at home or at school. The Duffy Theatre performs their extraordinary show to every school on the programme. 'Duffy' and his friends come to life and have extraordinary adventures inside the magical world of books. The KaH Programme (Kids at Home) is a pre-school initiative in response to numerous requests from pre-schools and kindergartens to join the programme. It makes our Duffy kids HEROES to their little brothers and sisters when they take home a book to them on their birthday. The 'School Leaders Assembly' is where local secondary school students visit their nearest Duffy school and talk with Duffy kids about their own achievements since starting secondary school and about goal-setting. 'The Mainfreight Award for Excellence in Attitude' is presented at a special end of year assembly to one student who has displayed all round excellence. This award is generously sponsored by Mainfreight. top of page © 1999-2000 Books in Homes - design by Kudos web design