Students helping kids

New entrants at Nawton Primary School will receive free stationery packs thanks to a group of community-minded high school students.

Four Fraser High students involved in the Project K programme helped secure ongoing donations of stationery to new entrant students at Nawton Primary School. Frank Cronin, Liam Atkinson, Stacey Beazley and Matthew Bennett approached Waikato Office Products Depot owners Denise and David Ferguson about their desire to help children and families less fortunate - the focus of their Project K community challenge - and they agreed to supply 10 stationery packs each term.

Project K is for selected year 10 students with untapped potential. The programme consists of the community challenge, a wilderness adventure, and mentoring programme that aims to build confidence, promote health and education skills and supports students to set and achieve goals.

The stationery packs will help families of new entrants by helping reduce the financial pressures that often arise when a child starts school.

The Fergusons were happy to support the students' project. "As a business we see it as our responsibility to support the community and we are happy to support these students to ensure those who need assistance at Nawton School receive it," says Denise.

The students presented the first of the stationery packs to Nawton School principal Rubina Wheeler, along with $100 they had raised by holding a sausage sizzle.

Rubina says the stationery packs will see students owning the right equipment - removing additional pressures on families and empowering them to succeed. "We are grateful for the generosity of these Project K students and Office Products Depot."

The community challenge phase of the Project K programme provides students with an opportunity to understand some of the issues present in the community they live in and how they can help make a difference.