Grant helps future stars to shine

(Back row) Otumoetai College student Samara Read, Graeme Dingle Foundation Bay of Plenty regional manager Dan Allen-Gordon, Otumoetai College student David Pickering. (Front row) Otumoetai College principal Dave Randell, Wright Family Foundation CEO Chloe Wright, and Graeme Dingle Foundation trustee Peter Hennessey. Photo / Matt Leamy

Otumoetai College will have a new generation of stars starting next year.

The college is the first school in the Western Bay of Plenty to benefit from youth mentorship - the Graeme Dingle Foundation's Stars programme - after a grant of $100,000 for the next three years from the Wright Family Foundation. The Stars programme uses mentoring by matching trained Year 12 and 13 Students with pupils in Year 9.

The teens work together on projects, including adventure camps, community adventures and charitable ventures.

Graeme Dingle Foundation regional manager Dan Allen-Gordon said he was overwhelmed by the Wright Family Foundation's backing, and was excited about what the future holds.

"We need to give young people tools to cope with the challenges that they face. Give them the confidence, the ability and the tools to cope to stay in school and for them to want to do well at school."

About 550 students would benefit from the programme.