A teacher-only day might seem like an excuse for students to put their feet up, but that certainly wasn’t the case for almost 30 Wakatipu
High pupils recently.
The students, from all year groups, pitched in to mulch and weed with The Friends of Tucker Beach, prepare for a Whakatipu Reforestation
Trust planting day, bake for Kiwi Harvest, run activities at the Queenstown Plunket playgroup, support the work at Orphans Aid International
and decorate the Queenstown Primary hall for a fundraising quiz.
Activities were arranged and coordinated by Volunteer South-Central Lakes’ new community connector, Neha Gosalia: ‘‘Many told us they feel the community has given them so much, so they felt this was a great way to give something back, as well as providing them with the
opportunity to meet people outside of their usual day-to-day networks.’’
School associate principal Oded Nathan adds: ‘‘This is the second time we’ve run the initiative with Volunteer South, and it proved to be a wonderful way for students to try something new and support their community through active citizenship.’’
Isadora Fvaras, who moved to Queenstown from Chile three years ago, was one of three students assisting at the free playgroup Plunket runs for new parents in town.
‘‘It’s been really fun, it’s nice to talk with the little kids and also reminisce about my own childhood,’’ she says.
Plunket community service coordinator Belinda Ricketts comments: ‘‘The girls have been a massive help as we have been making Father’s Day cards, singing, reading, playing and providing a space for new families to spend time together.’’
Reforestation trust chair Neill Simpson was also thrilled to welcome three school vollies: ‘‘Having them join us helps them understand the
importance of looking after our environment.’’
Volunteer South’s inviting non-profit organisations interested in hosting students for the next teacher-only day to get in touch.
