600 Porirua students to benefit from life-skills programme

600 school students from three Porirua schools to benefit from Graeme Dingle Foundation’s life-skills Kiwi Can programme in 2017

The Graeme Dingle Foundation has announced it is to introduce the popular values and life-skills Kiwi Can programme into three Porirua schools in 2017.

More than 600 primary and intermediate school students, from Windley, Bishop Viard and Maraeroa schools, will get off to awesome start to 2017.

The new programme will also mean two new employment positions created in Porirua.

Kiwi Can reaches 15,000 children in 70 schools around the country, delivering a range of fun physical, mental and creative challenges - plus high-energy, safe and interactive lessons that reinforce the schools' goals and curriculum.

“We are thrilled to be introducing Kiwi Can into three Porirua schools from Term One next year. This means we’ll be reaching more than 600 students with positive fun-filled learning, teaching values such as integrity and respect”, said Graeme Dingle Foundation Wellington Chairman Peter Irwin.

“It has long been the Trust’s strategic plan to expand its programmes into more Porirua schools, while building its relationship with manawhenua, the Porirua Council and local businesses and other organisations.”

Mr Irwin said the programmes in the three Porirua schools were being funded by the trust and private benefactors. “But there is still a shortfall, so we will be approaching local business to join us in this very meaningful way of contributing to our community, through our young people, our tamariki … the future of Porirua.”

Earlier this year the Graeme Dingle Foundation Wellington trust opened an office in Porirua, which is headed by general manager Lee Pownall.

Mr Pownall said it was humbling to see how excited the schools are about introducing Kiwi Can for their students. “Kiwi Can has got a great reputation, and delivers results. The kids love it, learning life lessons in a fun way.”

Mr Pownall said the trust would hold a Kiwi Can launch event in Term One 2017.

About Graeme Dingle Foundation Wellington

Transforming young lives forever

Established in 2002, the Graeme Dingle Foundation Youth Development Trust Wellington (previously known as the Foundation for Youth Development) is a Wellington-based charity licensed to deliver Graeme Dingle Foundation programmes to students in the Wellington region.

We aim to inspire all school age Wellington children to reach their full potential through programmes and kaupapa that help build self-esteem, promote good values and which teach valuable life, education and health skills.

· More than 9000 Wellington region students have had their lives enhanced by the Trust in Wellington over the past 14 years

· We are currently delivering the following programmes:

Project K at Sacred Heart, Lower Hutt (Decile 5)

Stars in Bishop Viard College, Porirua (Decile 2)

Stars in Mana College, Porirua (Decile 2)

· Graeme Dingle Foundation Wellington is managed by Lee Pownall, based in Porirua.

All our programmes are based on peer mentoring, outdoor adventure and community projects/challenges/adventures.

1. Project K – a 14 month programme for Year 10 students

2. Stars – a year-long programme for Year 9 students, who are mentored by trained Year 12 and 13 students

3. Kiwi Can – a year-long programme for 5-12 year old students

4. Career Navigator – (add description)

Our trustees are:

· Peter Irwin (Chair)

· Dave Thompson (Deputy)

· Jodie Archibald (Secretary)

· Peter Bennett

· Graham Mourie

· Therese Anders

· Dianna Kelly

· Sarah Thompson

· Emily Kay

Graeme Dingle Foundation Wellington – looking to the future

· Our strategic plan is to expand our delivery in the Porirua area, in partnership with manawhenua and local communities

· Once funding allows, we aim to expand our programmes to more Hutt Valley schools, and into Wellington.

* The Graeme Dingle Foundation was founded by Graeme Dingle and Jo-anne Wilkinson in the mid-1990s. Today The Graeme Dingle Foundation reaches 17,000 school-aged Kiwis throughout New Zealand with Kiwi Can, Stars, Project K, Career Navigator and MYND programmes.

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