Shaping futures in New Zealand

Early Childhood students from around Auckland are to thank for the new piece of exciting artwork hanging on the wall of the playroom at Starship Children’s Hospital in Auckland.

Five winning works of art was chosen from more than 250 entries in the ‘Shaping Futures’ drawing competition run by the specialist education division of recruitment & HR services company, Randstad.

During August and September, Randstad Education ran the competition inspiring children in early childhood centres around Auckland to think about, and draw a picture of what they would like to be when they grow up. Entries ranged from policemen, firemen, teachers and artists, through to musicians, rugby players, an acrobat and even a mum. The six winning entries have been made into a canvas to hang on the wall of the playroom at Starship Children’s hospital.

“Randstad employees aim to shape the world of work for people every day. The Shaping Futures competition is about encouraging young children to imagine what they would like to be when they grow up,” says Donna Mendjan, General Manager of Randstad New Zealand.

“The competition built excitement, discussion and an interesting topic focus in early childhood centres throughout Auckland. I heard there were many colourful, informative and entertaining discussions around all the different careers you could have, and some parents were invited to talk to the children about their unique job. The feedback has been extremely positive from teachers, parents and children involved as this subject helped build children’s self-belief they can be whatever they want to be if they set their hearts and minds to it.”

Randstad Education pledged to make a donation for every drawing received as part of their long-standing commitment to the Starship Foundation to ensure the playrooms at the hospital remain open and staffed with registered carers.

“We are very passionate about our support for the Starship Foundation, the hospital and their playrooms and hope this continued support will help to purchase new toys and equipment and guarantee a smile on every child’s face when they walk into the playroom.”

As a result of the competition, Randstad Education made a donation of $1,000 to the Foundation as well as presenting the playroom at Starship Hospital with a canvas of the winning entries.

“Selecting the six winners out of more than 250 entries was a difficult task and we were certainly heartened to see all the budding young artists throughout Auckland,” says Mendjan.

The young artists who created the winning entries each won themselves a gift voucher and a canvas containing the six winning entries will be presented to the early childhood centre where they attend.

Randstad looks after the recruitment, management and funding of staff who run the playrooms on each hospital ward of Starship Children’s Hospital. These playrooms offer children visiting or staying in the ward a fun distraction from their hospital stay, as well as providing a child-friendly way of explaining operations or treatments they are due to undergo.