SVA Steps Up for Heart Kids
The SVA Committee, steps up for Heart Kids NZ
Once a Heart Kid, Always a Heart Kid
Two very special students in our kura truly embodied this motto over the past few weeks. Zoe and her brother Caleb, with their hearts of gold, took the initiative to organise a Mufti and Bake Sale Day to support Heart Kids NZ— a national organisation dedicated to helping children with heart conditions.
After weeks of promotion and preparation, today marked the culmination of their efforts. Students had a delightful selection of treats to choose from, including heart-shaped muffins, cinnamon rolls, lolly cakes, slices, heart-shaped shortbread, banana and caramello cakes, muffins, and an array of cookies—with the beloved chocolate chip cookie being a crowd favourite!
Thanks to the generosity of our kura community, the Mufti Day donations raised $1,463.50, and the Bake Sale brought in an impressive $410.80.
A huge thank you to all our bakers, staff, students, and the SVA Committee for supporting Zoe and Caleb in setting up the bake stall and selling these delicious treats. Your kindness and teamwork made this event an incredible success!
Volunteers from Ōtūmoetai College
Recently 11 SVA students volunteered to help at the Special Olympics held at the Tauranga Domain.
We received amazing feedback from the organiser, here are some of the comments from Vivienne Lintott (Athletics Coordinator, Tauranga Special Olympics).
“What a fantastic group of students you have. It was wonderful to have so many hands available to help.
Some may not have had set jobs for the whole time, but any time we needed an extra pair of hands – they were ready and waiting!
I hope they enjoyed their day. Their help was certainly appreciated.”
‘Trees for Survival’ – Moving the Growing Cages
‘Trees for Survival’ is a program where schools repot very small seedlings and place them in a growing cage that has a sprinkler system attached. This process occurs around August and September. The larger and stronger plants are then planted in a suitable wetland area the following winter.
Last year a Gardening Group was established which has led to a reinvigoration of the horticulture area. The original position of the ‘Trees for Survival’ growing cages no longer worked so a keen group from this year’s Environment Committee did a great job helping to move the plants and cages on Tuesday morning.
School Value – Kia Kaha – Stand Strong
As a kura we are focusing on the school value of Kia Kaha – Stand Strong which also ties in nicely to our Te Muka Miro model, focusing on Empower.
This is also a great opportunity for our junior students to demonstrate their engagement with the values card with a targeted focus on this one value.
For example;
– wearing the correct school uniform and doing so with pride
– being present in all classes and arriving on time
– having 100% attendance over the two weeks
– trying something new and stepping out of your comfort zone
Rotary International Youth Exchange Programme
The Rotary International Youth Exchange programme is a 1-year exchange designed for students who will be aged 16 or 17 in the January of the year that they leave New Zealand.
Every year in January, around 20 students leave New Zealand to spend a year living in another country, learning the language and culture of that country and attending school.
They generally live with 3 or 4 host families and are hosted by a local Rotary club.
Almost invariably when they return to New Zealand the following January they are more confident, independent and mature and with a greater understanding of how other people live. They have also made friends with other students from around the world.
To go on the exchange students are required to apply through a local Rotary club (applications close April 2025), attend a further interview and selection process and then take part in a series of orientation days. This process ensures that the students are well prepared for their year away and that they will be good ambassadors for New Zealand.
