Update - Willow Park Primary

The Companion Flag now flies in New Zealand, thanks to Willow Park Primary in Auckland.

On April 30, 2004, Willow Park held an exciting adoption ceremony that Companion Flag ambassadors Winston and Jennifer Yeung were able to attend as part of their One Year, One World tour.

Willow Park's participation in the Companion Flag project was facilitated by one of the student's uncles, Gary Patterson, who met Winston and Jennifer while travelling in Africa. He put them in touch with Vice-Principal Diana Basset, who helped coordinate the Companion Flag adoption.

The adoption ceremony was held by an assembly of four classes of Level 5 and 6. A song was first sung, called We are Black, We Are White, which set the stage for the presentation. Then followed a skit that truly embodied the ideals and message of the Companion Flag.

Organized by teacher Ms. Pauline Nicholson, several students on stage who originated from different countries held up painted flags of their original country. One student said, "I am Johnny, I'm from China, I am different," and held up the Chinese flag. Another student in the front then said, "But in many ways we are the same." The next student would introduce herself, her country, and then say "I am different." Once again, it was followed by, "But in many ways we are the same."

After this continued along the back row (there were students from approximately ten different countries represented, reflecting Willow Park Primary's multi-national composition), the students in the front row all held up pictures that demonstrated what kinds of things they thought people everywhere had in common, like feelings, love, safety, etc. It was inspiring to see the idea of Companion Flag being communicated with such a clear understanding of its message and meaning.

It was evident that the students from Willow Park really understood what the Companion Flag stood for, as well as being very enthusiastic about it!

After the assembly, pictures were taken with students holding the Companion Flag beneath the flagpole.

A reporter from the Aucklander, a local newspaper, was also present to capture the adoption on film. The article appeared in print a few weeks later.

Thank you Ms. Nicholson, Ms. Basset, Gary Patterson, and all the students and staff of Willow Park Primary for being the first school in New Zealand to adopt and fly the Companion Flag! Thanks also to Bruce Robertson at the Flagz Group Ltd. in Pakuranga, for making the New Zealand Companion Flag.

More updates. . .

The Companion Flag flies in New Zealand at Willow Park Primary School Click here to read "Good Companions Fly Together," an article about Willow Park's CF adoption featured in Education Today-New Zealand. Schools Vision Statement Companion Flag Schools Companion Flag Projects Lesson Plans & Ideas			Willow Park Primary School, New Zealand
			The Companion Flag now flies in New Zealand, thanks to Willow Park Primary in Auckland. On April 30, 2004, Willow Park held an exciting adoption ceremony that Companion Flag ambassadors Winston and Jennifer Yeung were able to attend as part of their One Year, One World tour. Willow Park's participation in the Companion Flag project was facilitated by one of the student's uncles, Gary Patterson, who met Winston and Jennifer while travelling in Africa. He put them in touch with Vice-Principal Diana Basset, who helped coordinate the Companion Flag adoption. The adoption ceremony was held by an assembly of four classes of Level 5 and 6. A song was first sung, called We are Black, We Are White, which set the stage for the presentation. Then followed a skit that truly embodied the ideals and message of the Companion Flag. Organized by teacher Ms. Pauline Nicholson, several students on stage who originated from different countries held up painted flags of their original country. One student said, "I am Johnny, I'm from China, I am different," and held up the Chinese flag. Another student in the front then said, "But in many ways we are the same." The next student would introduce herself, her country, and then say "I am different." Once again, it was followed by, "But in many ways we are the same." After this continued along the back row (there were students from approximately ten different countries represented, reflecting Willow Park Primary's multi-national composition), the students in the front row all held up pictures that demonstrated what kinds of things they thought people everywhere had in common, like feelings, love, safety, etc. It was inspiring to see the idea of Companion Flag being communicated with such a clear understanding of its message and meaning. It was evident that the students from Willow Park really understood what the Companion Flag stood for, as well as being very enthusiastic about it! After the assembly, pictures were taken with students holding the Companion Flag beneath the flagpole. A reporter from the Aucklander, a local newspaper, was also present to capture the adoption on film. The article appeared in print a few weeks later. Thank you Ms. Nicholson, Ms. Basset, Gary Patterson, and all the students and staff of Willow Park Primary for being the first school in New Zealand to adopt and fly the Companion Flag! Thanks also to Bruce Robertson at the Flagz Group Ltd. in Pakuranga, for making the New Zealand Companion Flag. More updates. . .