The long-time mascot of Mount Maunganui Primary School has, for the first time, visited the children it inspires.

Mountie was ‘born’ 10 years ago and taken on as the school emblem designed to give the students a sense of pride and belonging.

“There are seven ‘mountie-isms’ that are the behaviours of a Mountie,” says principal Damien Harris.

“Critical thinking, creativity, awareness, curiosity, aumangea (grittiness), connectedness and collaboration.”

Damien says the values are instilled in the school work.

“We explicitly teach them and give the opportunity to practise and showcase them.

“We like the kids to think of solutions to problems so that might be creativity in mathematics, for example. Their awareness and connectedness tends to be in more social situations and we think about things like our impact on the environment.

"We may take kids out to plant seedlings on the sand dunes to put awareness into action.”

In front, student Ahyoon Kim with Mountie and fellow student Billie Ramsbottom, with Eddie Wilkie, Ruby Valder and Rupert Hammond on the playground at back. Photo: John Borren.

The Mount Maunganui Primary pupils were part of a special birthday party for Mountie on Tuesday at their school, where they finally got to meet the mascot.

“They were so excited to meet Mountie for the first time. It was deafening when it walked into the hall,” says Damien.

“Kids have been asking for years ‘Why doesn’t Mountie ever visit?’ So this year our Board of Trustees and PTA made it happen.”

Now, Mountie will join the kids at major events like sports days – and for Damien, as well as the oldest students at the school, it’s exciting to finally get to meet their school mascot.

“Mountie’s turning 10, so it’s a big day ‘cause when you turn 10, it’s a big number,” says 10 year-old Matilda Pierson.

“It’s old, so it’s really special! This is a really great school to be part of with him by our side.”