Funding quest has school jumping

They're jumping for joy, and hopefully some dollars too, at St Joseph's School Stratford this month.

"We have organised a jump rope day for the whole school," explains Raine Peterson-Semenoff. Raine and the rest of his classmates in Room 8 at the school, have been working hard planning a fun filled "Jump Rope for Heart: Friday challenging students, and staff, to grab a rope and get jumping.

"We're also selling raffle tickets for a great prize provided by Stratford New World."

Duncan Roper says the prize includes lots of bath and beauty products, "it's got stuff for men and women in it," adds Zen Dodunski.

Achim Hanne says the focus of the day is to get healthy while fundraising for two great causes.

"We want to split the money raised between our school and the Heart Foundation. The Heart Foundation supports children with heart problems around New Zealand and they do an awesome job."

Every student has a skipping rope for use in school time to use, says Chloe Van Wyk.

"The PTA bought them so we could all have a go and not have to wait to take turns."

Chloe worked with other students in Room 8 to make a giant thank you poster for the PTA for the generous donation.

"We are also selling jump ropes for students to take home," adds Tamanna Badoni.

"We gave out order forms, took the money and then made an order for them."

The students took a total of 153 orders and the venture has been so successful they are now putting in a second order for more.

This Friday staff and students at St Joseph's will head to the playground for day of jumping rope and attempting some challenges.

"We have staff and students challenges," explains Madison Scott.

"Some are easy for the students like normal skipping and then going backwards, while others are harder."

"One of the harder ones would be Double Dutch," says Sophia Bautista.

The teacher challenges are promising to provide plenty of entertainment on the day, although students are torn as to which staff members might struggle with some of the challenges.

"No, she's good," says Brooke Maclean about one teacher when Braith Kalin names them as one who will possibly fail to complete a challenge. In fact, for every name suggested by her classmates, Brooke is adamant that they will do well on the day.

"Mrs Jeffares and Mrs Gillespie both dance so they will be good, and have you seen Mr Hill? He's really fast, so's Mrs Morresey."

The students have been working with their peers in Room 7 in planning the day

"We've all been learning new types of jumps," says Maia Hussey, who adds the unit of learning has been "lots of fun". "Some of us haven't ever skipped before, so we have learned new skills."

Alyvia Rikys says she is looking forward to the day and the chance to show off some of the new tricks she has mastered.