Puahue School wins shade grant

Puahue School pupils are being protected from the harsh summer sun as they eat their lunch and compete in sports, thanks to a $2000 grant from Farmlands to create extra shade at the school.

The school, which has a roll of 106, is one of seven rural primary schools throughout the North Island to receive the grant for shade.

The money was raised from ten ‘Ladies Nights’ fun events held by Farmlands in rural areas late last year.

Farmlands Innovation and Communications Manager, Allister Bathgate, says the idea for shading came from one of the team at Farmlands’ head office.

“He’s involved with his local school and was aware that creating adequate shade is a real issue in rural schools. They also find it more difficult to find funding for extras because their rolls and communities are smaller.”

More than 200 schools applied for the grants. They needed to be a North Island rural school and demonstrate a need for shade. Rural Women New Zealand managed the application process.

Allister says Farmlands initially selected five schools to receive $2000 each.

“But two of our sponsors of the ‘Ladies Nights’ events, Meridan Energy and FMG, also wanted to contribute. Farmlands found a bit of extra funding, so we had a total of $14,000 to distribute to seven schools.

Puahue School Principal, Scott Wilson, says the school has experienced a lot of growth recently so has had to spend extra money on buildings, furniture and learning resources.

“But shade was on the ‘wish list’ of the Board of Trustees. We have picnic tables where students can eat their morning tea and lunch, but they weren’t shaded.

The grant has been spent on seven umbrellas in school colours for the picnic tables, and two six by three metre portable gazebos in school colours for extra shade on sports days, both at the school and when students visit other locations.

Scott says the students were really excited about winning the grant. “They thought it was wonderful.”

Allister says the Ladies Night programme was so successful, it will be repeated this year.

“We’re hoping to exceed our fundraising target to provide grants for another yet-to-be decided project to assist deserving rural schools.”

The other schools to receive grants were: Peria School (Kaitaia), Tutira School (Hawke’s Bay), Rahotu School (Taranaki), Lichfield School (Putaruru), Tiniroto School (Gisborne), and Mount Biggs School (Feilding).

ENDS

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