"Since they have such a hard life teaching children, I thought it would be nice to give them something instead of them giving us something."

Clearly stated, "giving back" was the motive for 11-year-old Saltus Grammar School student Philip Hagen providing his teachers with a luncheon on February 22.

The 30 or so teachers of the Junior School were treated to a cold buffet catered by Miles Market and Barritt's and served by the Junior School Head Boy and his colleagues, Head Girl Nalani Dowling, Deputy Head Boy Lawrence Gibbons and Deputy Head Girl Nicole Amaral.

Door prizes donated by a variety of local businesses and goody bags stuffed with useful gifts were also handed out to thrilled teachers who, according to Philip "were like children at a birthday party".

The idea for a staff luncheon was sown in a class parents' meeting Philip's mother, Judy Hagen, attended. It was mentioned in the meeting that such luncheons were an annual event in some US schools and, when Mrs. Hagen mentioned this to her son, he was taken with the idea. He discussed the feasibility with family friend, Will Cox, who also happens to have a connection with Miles Market, and then started door-to-door solicitation of donations, following up with letters.

He worked during the Christmas break to pay for food not donated. The original intention was to hold the luncheon in the autumn term; however, due to scheduling difficulties, it had to be delayed until the spring term. His energy and commitment to the project amazed Mrs. Hagen, who supported him but left much of the leg work to him.

Philip and his fellow prefects, who helped with the set up and clearing up afterwards, were very proud to have made their teachers so happy.

"It made me feel good," Nicole Amaral stated, reinforcing Philip's, "I felt happy after".

In response to the teachers' expressions of gratitude, Mrs. Hagen stated simply: "You have helped make him what he is, and for that I will be forever grateful."