Meeting the Needs of Adolescents

School:	Havelock North Intermediate
Type:	Intermediate
Location:	Hawke's Bay
Roll (2005):	620
Decile:	9
Contact:	John Schollum, Principal
Phone:	06 877 8039

Times have changed since Havelock North Intermediate was built in 1976. In particular, our understanding of how critical the ages 10-14 are in a child’s development. “Research tells us that this is the stage that determines the adult. It’s as important as the first two years of life,” says John Schollum, the principal. “That’s why our focus is on the total child: academic, physical, social and emotional.”

Because of the rapid physical development during adolescence, the way Bodyfurn® is designed made perfect sense. “Engaging children of this age for more than 15 minutes is a real challenge,” says John, “but with Bodyfurn®, we are definitely engaging them for longer.”

John also says that because there is less movement in the classroom there is less noise and he expects, over time, to see healthier children. “This is a time of rapid bone growth and so it is really important that backs and legs are properly supported. Bodyfurn® does that.”

These benefits are so aligned with the school’s vision that Havelock North Intermediate decided to convert the entire school. “We’d not really bought any classroom furniture since 1976 and it didn’t make sense to do one room at a time”. 

“Bodyfurn® matches our understanding of the physiological requirements of 10-14 year olds. It was the logical choice.”
John Schollum, Principal