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Cleanest classroom competition sees big gain in cleaning efficiency

Shirley Keaton, a teacher at Rosebank School, with the winning Room 7 students.

Shirley Keaton, a teacher at Rosebank School, with the winning Room 7 students.

Eager children at Balclutha’s Rosebank School went on a clean-up crusade after Crest franchisee Farina Shah spoke at morning assembly.

When the youngsters heard about Crest’s Cleanest Classroom Award the eager youngsters couldn’t wait to get started.

Farina was joined by Antoine Zoghbi, Crest’s Otago and Southland Quality Assurance Co-ordinator.

The pair explained how the Cleanest Classroom competitions works. The programme is run at many of the 262 schools that are cleaned by Crest franchisees. The classroom that is kept the cleanest in the school is awarded a certificate and a prize at the end of the term.

And to kick-start the contest, Farina and Antoine presented a bag of LeslieRugby balls to the school.

Farina said the youngsters quickly cottoned on to tidying up their classrooms, and the spin offs meant it saved her valuable time and she could provide the school with a much more efficient cleaning service.

“They learned exactly where the rubbish should go. They used to leave food wrappers and food on the floor and it took up a lot of my time just picking it all up.

“Now I can use my time better and it helps us to do some extra detailed cleaning in the classrooms. It means during term cleans we have less to do and the school stays cleaner.”

Antoine said it was great to talk to the staff and children at the school assembly – but the reaction from youngsters took him by surprise.

“When we said the kids would get a pizza or lollipop or ice cream for the cleanest classroom they went crazy and started shouting.”

Antoine paid tribute to Farina’s dedication to her job. “Farina is a great franchisee. She has meetings with all her customers and has very high standards.”

He said he’d received great feedback from schools about Farina’s work. And one school in particular stuck in his mind.

“The principal said to me that all the community speaks about the school and how clean it is, and this happened as soon as Farina and her team start cleaning it. He said in just one week after Crest started, the school went from three to nine out of 10.”

Nicky Kramers, Crest’s Otago Regional Director, said Farina was an outstanding franchisee.

“Farina and her team are well loved by Rosebank School and have a great relationship with the teachers and pupils.”

Crest franchisee Farina Shah hands out the Cleanest Classroom Award at Rosebank School in Balclutha. With her are Room 10 teacher Pam Farley and the junior pupils.

Crest franchisee Farina Shah hands out the Cleanest Classroom Award at Rosebank School in Balclutha. With her are Room 10 teacher Pam Farley and the junior pupils.