Whareama School wins Rabobank Good Deeds competition

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Last month Rabobank and The Country ran a competition to find a worthy rural project for the Good Deeds Initiative. The lucky winner would not only receive $5000 toward their community project, but also a working bee made up of volunteers from Rabobank and The Country.

There were many great entries but there can be only one winner and this year it was Whareama School, near Masterton.

The school is already working hard to complete many amazing projects but progress has stalled recently due to lack of funds. Parents and local businesses rallied to help but the kids still needed some "extra muscle," as well as a bit more funding.

These set-backs haven't stopped the children says Sarah, who entered the Good Deeds Initiative on behalf of Whareama School.

"Whilst some of the kids' projects have been put on hold ... the kids are still working away at their projects with lots of seed planting, planning and full on enthusiasm!!"

Read Whareama School's Entry Below:

Our area has the coolest little school called Whareama School. It is located 45km east of Masterton and is the hub and life-blood of the surrounding community.
The school is staffed by three amazing teachers and has an ever-increasing role of 45 kids. Earlier in the year the children were given the task to form groups and come up with some projects that would:

a) Enhance the environment and natural resource of the school.

b) Impact the school and community.

c) Create some cool learning environments outside.

They have worked on these projects enthusiastically throughout the year. They have started two large raised vegetable gardens with plans to feed the school from the garden. An outdoor classroom with a desk wrapped around a tree has been completed. A tree house for playing. A BMX track up the back of the school. An in-ground trampoline. A group to reduce rubbish and waste in the school.

Regional Winners

This year's entries were so impressive that Rabobank decided to grant $1000 prizes to four regional winners, as well as the main prize.

The lucky regional winners are:

Lower South Island - Tapanui Community Gardens
Working bee to plant potatoes. Purchase of container to store equipment.

Upper South Island - Mackenzie Kindergarten Parent Committee
Installations of wheel chair ramp and painting of kindergarten building.

Lower North Island - Wanstead Community Hall
Maintenance and upgrade of building.

Upper North Island - Waitora Community Hall
Re-roofing and painting of community hall.