Westbrook School principal Colin Watkins. Photo / Andrew Warner
Westbrook School principal Colin Watkins. Photo / Andrew Warner
A Rotorua principal is disappointed treats for the students’ end-of-term fun days have been stolen after a school shed’s door was jemmied.
Sausage rolls, ice blocks and bags of fudge were stolen from Rotorua’s Westbrook School early today.
Ironically, principal Colin Watkins had just purchased locks for the school’sfreezers.
Watkins told NZME it was “disappointing” but the generosity from the community had been “out the gate”.
“The most overwhelming thing that has come out of this is that we’ve had parents and people rock up to the school this morning with cash in their hands.”
“We’ve asked them to hold onto that thought because there will probably be occasions next year where we might require some donations.”
He acknowledged this was a desperate time for families and finances were tight.
“It could be that somebody was just desperate... which is a bit sad because we tend to always support the local radio station and its endeavours to get food parcels out to families.
“We are aware of families within our community that are in dire need.”
He said the school made donations to several families they knew needed it.
A similar situation occurred six years ago when the school was organising their annual gala.
The school sold tickets, and someone copied hundreds of them.
It wasn’t until later that night that the staff recognised the fraudulent copies had a slight colour difference and specks from the photocopier.
“We advertised the fact that somebody had done that, and we probably lost a few hundred dollars’ worth.
“We actually ended up with $5000 from our very generous community. We’re very privileged, we’ve got a great community.”
