Schooled in ways of men

Learning how to work as a team at Thursday's Good Man Day at Kings High School in Dunedin are (from left) David Tep, Anthony Tep, Russell Dawe, Ryan Harris, Alan Carey, Hayden Carey, Tawera Parata-Crawford and Shane Crawford. Photo by Jane Dawber.

Mr Faed organised the Good Man Day at Kings High School for year 9 pupils on Thursday night.

Now in its sixth year, the event attracted 170 participants.

Pupils were invited to bring their fathers, or other significant males, to participate in games and activities designed to promote trust, communication skills and teamwork.

Mr Faed, a "joiner by trade and a youth worker by passion", said in earlier societies, younger males were automatically taught how to be a man, but this had changed.

Now, society was busier and fathers had jobs and other claims on their time.

It was difficult to make a difference in one night but if the exercise made even one father realise he was missing out on his son's development, it was worthwhile, he said.

Grandfather Russell Dawe said boys needed people to look up to, and the exercises helped build trust by getting the different generations working together.

Father Alan Carey said the evening provided a good bonding opportunity, in a fun way.

"We're all big kids at heart."

-Eileen Goodwin