Marlborough students receive gift of learning

Under the shade of a tree in the middle of campus, Blenheim School students had the start of Term 1 brightened by some welcome visitors.

A trio from Tautoko Community Trust handed stationary to every child on Monday.  Each class took a turn lining up to receive a brightly coloured envelope – blue, green, pink, purple, red, and green – from Tautoko Chair Logan Brown, manager Carmen Da Costa or Trustee Rod Agnew.

As they rehearsed moments before, students voiced “Thank you” as they accepted their gift. Most had wider smiles as they returned to their spots.

The charitable organisation made the same generous gesture a week earlier at Mayfield School. There, 80 students benefitted. At Blenheim School, 140 benefitted.

“Education is an area we value,” Logan explained before pivoting to speak to the student body. “This time of year is hard for parents to meet all the costs, so we help with stationary at Blenheim and Mayfield.”

The trust started the programme in 2011, when it was known as the Marlborough Community Development Trust.

This year marked the third since Logan joined the organisation, and he remarked on the growth he has seen at the campuses, particularly at Blenheim School. Rob noted, “It’s wonderful to see numbers like in the 1960s when I was here.”

Tautoko provides the schools with extra packets for students who enrol later in the year.

Raising funds to boost areas of need, Tautoko works – as its vision statement says – “to create a supportive environment where individuals and families can thrive.”

The stationary giveaways fit that mission. “Just making a positive difference in the community, that drives me,” Carmen said, “to see the positive impact it does do.”

Visit www.tautokotrust.org for more information about Tautoko Community Trust and its programmes.