Te Kamo students bring joy to Whangārei rest home residents

Te Kamo Intermediate School pupils visit residents at Radius Rimu Park.

Residents at a Whangārei rest home had a special start to the day when a group of school pupils visited to lend a helping hand.

Six Te Kamo Intermediate students spent Tuesday morning with residents at Radius Rimu Park in Kamo.

Radius Rimu Park manager Sue Billington said the group totally immersed themselves in helping with activities, serving morning tea and more.

The students joined the residents for games like streamer ravels, magnetic chase, scattergories, musical chairs and ball.

Te Kamo Intermediate students took part in games.

The generations enjoyed a chat with one another over some morning tea.

“There’s something special about seeing our residents light up when local children visit,” Billington said.

“Residents share stories from their own school days, and the students leave with a new understanding of what it means to give back.

“These connections are at the heart of the our community.”

Residents and students swapped stories during the visit.

Te Kamo Intermediate sports co-ordinator Elizabeth Seaton accompanied the pupils. She said they learned a lot about how the elderly are cared for.

The visit was part of a community exchange between the school and rest home.

Radius Rimu Park and its residents had contributed to the school’s rugby sevens team and their entry to the 2025 Zespri AIMS Games, held in Tauranga from August 30.

The games are Australasia’s largest junior sporting event, set to attract about 13,000 athletes from roughly 400 schools.

Te Kamo Intermediate began competing at the AIMS Games in 2008, and in 2019 sent a representative rugby sevens team for the first time. They returned home with a bronze medal.