Newspaper Article 1984 – School ‘press release’ winners

School ‘press release’ winners

Pupils of two Hastings and district schools have been judged merit winners in their respective sections of a national competition run by newspapers and the New Zealand Lottery Board.

The contest was open to students attending schools which between 1975 and 1984 had received grants from the board’s community facilities at schools scheme.

The objective was to encourage students to develop competence in writing news items for their local newspapers, and to heighten awareness of school facilities that have been helped by grants from the board for the benefit of the community.

Merit winner in the section for standards 3 and 4 was Tina Semmens, Frimley School.

Merit winner of the Forms 1 and 2 section was Jonathan Kyle, Waiwhare School.

Herald-Tribune editor, Mr Len Anderson yesterday presented certificates, signed by the Minister of Internal Affairs and chairman of the lottery board, Mr Peter Tapsell, plus book tokens donated to the pupils’ schools by the Herald-Tribune.

This is how the two youngsters described their school community facilities.

From Jonathan Kyle. –

Amidst a rural district, located 55km out of Hastings, can be found the Waiwhare School.

Waiwhare School has recently acquired an adventure “play fort”. This is another asset which will be helpful in bringing the community together.

The “fort” was funded by the helpful district parents, and a grant from the Golden Kiwi Lottery Board.

It is easily accessible and has shown itself to provide enjoyment to all who use it.

Nearby is another facility that is used by the whole community. The swimming pool has proved to be very worthwhile in the summer months particularly and is well patronised by a district located so far from the sea.

Sporting equipment is available for use by the district from the sports shed and these resources are very evident in use on the district sports days, and on organised social sports events.

Children find the “fort” most enjoyable to play on when community gatherings take place at the school and, for after-school hours, when the pool is widely used.

The small but happy school supports a roll of 44 pupils. Many parents who went to the school still live in the district and are most helpful when asked to contribute to school activities. Some of them now have their children at the school.

Natural surrounds at the school help to create a peaceful atmosphere, and relaxing family activities can take place in such settings without the pressures of city life.

In all, the school presents itself as a focal point for the community, and maintains well informed communications.

It is hoped that the school and it’s resources will encourage the retention of the community bond that presently exists.

Jonathan Kyle

Photo caption –
Prize winners of the “school and community” contest received their certificates and school book tokens from Mr Len Anderson, Herald-Tribune editor, yesterday. Left is Tina Semmens of Frimley School, with Jonathon [Jonathan] Kyle, whose entry also won him a certificate and a book token for Waiwhare School.