As you may know, last term, the Columba Whānau took on the challenge of 1HumanRace. I am very proud to announce that as a school we raised $10,045.

This surpassed our collective goal of $10,000 and is enough money to provide almost 17 young women in Kenya with an entire year's education, safety and support, at one of "So They Can’s" partner rescue schools.

Columba’s house groups each ranked within the top 10 teams across New Zealand and Australia for our fundraising efforts during 1HumanRace.

Braemar - $3,265 (3rd overall)

Solway - $2,595 (5th overall)

Iona - $2,207 (7th overall)

Girton - $1,978 (8th overall)

It is a big achievement to have raised this much money, and would not have been possible without the dedication shown by each house and year group to complete their challenges. These challenges ranged from 85 minutes of Jump Jam, 85 Easter cards to rest homes, a 85 question quick fire quiz to 85 minutes of outdoor activities. A number of other school wide events were also run by the Year 13 group to raise further funds including a Sausage Sizzle at Athletics day, a Kākahu Kāinga (Non-Uniform day), Iona’s firewood sale and ‘Dunk-the-Teacher’ - an event which, due to the good sportsmanship of the staff, proved to make a real splash in the last week of term.

I’d like to say a big thank-you to everyone who was involved in this initiative, from those who participated to those who donated! Here at Columba we are very privileged to receive a high quality education in a safe environment, so being able to provide 17 young women with this is a very special achievement. We would not have been able to realise this goal without your support, so thank-you very much.

A special thank you goes to Lou’s Pantry, who donated all of the sausage sizzle supplies for us to use on athletics day, as well as Anderson Lloyd Lawyers who made a generous donation to this initiative.

- Hannah Coe