Great success was celebrated and how as the Wairarapa Teen Parent Unit farewelled another intake of students yesterday at their Makoura College HQ. Former chairman of the now disbanded Makoura College board Lindsay Gribben instrumental in setting up the unit was on handto present awards and certificates to 18 graduating and returning students. The ceremony followed a lunch and presentation celebrating a roll call of achievement over the past year by the girls, many of whom took on the task of juggling motherhood with learning. Proud teacher-in-charge Rae McKenzie was honoured to host the event after what she described as a busy academic year. Mrs McKenzie also thanked supporters and community groups for their continuing support including, Mr Gribben, who she said was "tireless in getting us this building" and the other former members of the Makoura board were also shown appreciation for their ongoing support. She also took the opportunity to show gratitude to the centre's staff, whom she described as "the bolts that hold this place together". The eight graduates have either already landed jobs, are considering their future paths or will continue with higher education with Sophie Holmes and Renee Kawana headed for tertiary study at Victoria University and Southland Polytechnic respectively. Alyshia Archer has started work after gaining a spraypainting apprenticeship while Terri Edwards has a fulltime job as a mental health support worker.
