Cambridge Primary School Parent Teacher Association chair Tammee Wilson, at top left, and principal Mike Pettit, top right, with the school’s student ambassadors and the generator which has been gifted to Northland’s Ngai Tupoto Marae. The marae is also a Civil Defence centre.
Cambridge Primary School’s student ambassadors have been busy generating goodwill – about $2000 worth to be exact.
Combined fundraising efforts from a school disco and other initiatives which raised $1850, a $400 donation given by the Parent Teacher Association from the school’s gala in March and a “sharp” deal from Mitre 10 Mega has enabled the purchase of a DeWalt generator and its delivery to Ngai Tupoto Marae in Kohukohu in the far north.
Jerry – or fuel – cans were also provided with the generator.
The marae also serves as a Civil Defence Centre, Cambridge Primary School principal Mike Pettit told The News.
The generator was delivered during the two-week school holidays which ended last week.
Pettit added how proud he was of the initiative the school’s student ambassadors – who essentially “champion the school” – had shown.
“It really epitomises our school vision of creating powerful students through quality, tradition and innovation.”
Cambridge Primary School Parent Teacher Association chair Tammee Wilson echoed those sentiments.
Ngai Tupoto Marae secretary Aimee Matiu said marae trustees were grateful for the mahi Cambridge Primary School students put in to fundraise for the generator.
“During and after Cyclone Gabrielle, we realised how vulnerable we are as a marae without reliable back up energy sources.
“Our responsibility as hau kāinga, or hosts, on the marae, and mana i te whenua, is to look after our people and the wider community. And, this generator will help us to do that when future weather events inevitably occur.”
Aimee said Cambridge Primary school students and staff are always welcome on the marae.
“We hope we get the opportunity in the future to host them and repay their kindness.”
