A 5-year-old male pug with a big appetite has made Greerton Village School’s values jump from the page in a new book created by a teacher and students.

Sir Douglas – Greerton Village School’s furry resident, owned by principal Kimberley Henderson-Ginns – had become the main character in the book titled Connections, which was published this month.

When teacher Sharyn Jones decided to create a book with the school’s “values woven through it”, her students came up with the storyline: Sir Douglas travels back in time to find the old school bell.

Work began at the start of this school year and had bubbled along since, with the book printed mid-October, said Jones.

Sir Douglas with Greerton Village School’s new book ‘Connections’. Photo / Brydie Thompson

She described Sir Douglas as a “little scavenger”, making him the perfect muse for a quest narrative. He hangs out with ‘mum’ in her office but accompanies her on morning tea and lunch walks.

Jones mentioned an instance in which a student had a seizure, and Sir Douglas stayed by the student’s side. “He has a bit of a way with kids,” Jones said.

But he also gets up to mischief, begging for scraps around the staff room. As a result, Sir Douglas had to go on a diet and had since lost 5.5kg.

Jones said Greerton Village School students were taught about the history of the land and the school, which they incorporated into the book. In particular, they were inspired by the large old bell that still stands at the front of the school. She led the writing process but used the students’ words and storyline.

Teacher Sharyn Jones, with students Bethany Hansen, 11, Vienne Uytingco, 10, Hannah Hodgkinson, 11, and Leo Miettinen-Armitage, 11. Photo / Brydie Thompson

As a release teacher, Jones taught students of all ages throughout the junior and middle school. With an interest in writing, she recruited a group of senior students for the book project.

Year 5 student Vienne Uytingco joined Year 6 students Bethany Hansen, Hannah Hodgkinson, and Leo Miettinen-Armitage as authors of Connections.

Taylor’s Transport Trucking sponsored the production costs, and Kale Print brought the story to life with their ink and paper.

To find out exactly what Sir Douglas gets up to when he travels back in time, purchase a copy of Connections FOR $10 at the Greerton Village School office.

Bijou Johnson is a multimedia journalist based in the Bay of Plenty. A passionate writer and reader, she grew up in Tauranga and developed a love for journalism while exploring various disciplines at university. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Classical Studies from Massey University.