GETTING a pizza for being a safe, respectful learner at school sounds like a pretty good deal on anyone's terms, and 500 kids at Bathurst High School obviously agree.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
As part of the school's Vivo program, which focuses on safe, respectful and responsible learning, the school is about to give away, with the help of Domino's Bathurst, its 500th pizza reward to a student.
Vivo, an online recognition system rewarding students for their positive approach to learning has been used used at Bathurst High School for about 12 months, and school principal, Ken Barwick said the results speak for themselves.
Mr Barwick said the program engages students on a number of levels, whether it be in the classroom on in extra curricular actives including sport. They are rewarded with points, which can then be used to purchase items from either Vivo, or the Bathurst High School online store which offers students anything from vouchers for a sausage sandwich at the school BBQ to a bus pass for school sport.
ALSO MAKING NEWS:
Mr Barwick said every morning he comes to school, and processes up to 50 Vivo orders, saying if a student is on task in every lesson, it doesn't take long for the points to add up.
One of the latest additions to the shop is a Bathurst High school cap, which are literally selling like hotcakes.
Mr Barwick said the support the school gets from businesses is amazing, with McDonald's, Dominos and the 7/11 in Stewart Street among the biggest supporters. He said the program encourages kids not only engage, but really strive to be their best, and they get a real sense of satisfaction knowing what ever they've purchased with their Vivo points they earned themselves.
"No-one can take that away from them," he said.
Bronte O'Brien, who used her Vivo points to buy the school's 499th pizza, and Zoe Peters, who bought the 500th pizza, both praised the program.
"It helps link the school to the community because students are not going to buy a keyring or something from the Vivo site; we're much happier getting something from a local business," Zoe said.
Domino's operations manager Thomas Dibley said the company actively sought out opportunities to support local schools and organisations as a way of giving back to the community.
