Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make The Māpua Easter Fair 2023 such an incredible success.

We entered the preparations for the fair with trepidation, not knowing how it would look in 2023. Would there be enough stall holders still keen? Would our parent community remember how much work it takes and commit to making the fair a success? Would we find people to take on key roles? And the one we really can’t control …. would the weather play ball?

I am very pleased to say that, in the end, even the weather did play ball and we can now let you know that the very successful 2023 Easter Fair enabled The Māpua Easter Fair Trust to donate just over $44,000 to Māpua School. This is an outstanding achievement and is the result of hard work by many - and extremely hard work by a few!

My very sincere thanks to those of you whose lives were consumed by Easter Fair organisation and the time and energy you gave so freely for our tamariki. In particular, to Kerry-Lee - our fair coordinator - Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You (and your extended family) worked tirelessly to make this fair a success and I know you picked up many, many extra roles when there just weren’t enough volunteers to go around. We appreciate the work you have done so much.

This money will be used in the following ways at Māpua School:

Learning Support

As I have previously shared with you, our funding for learning support is woefully inadequate. The money raised at Easter Fair helps us provide in class and individual support for groups and individuals that we would not be able to without it. This has a positive impact on all of our tamariki.

Property Development - New Hard Court and Junior Playground

We are in the final stages of sign off for our new four class junior hub and a new swimming pool complex. The journey to get this far has been trying, however, we are close enough now to get really excited! Part of this development gives us the opportunity to redevelop our junior playground and to move our junior hard court alongside the senior hard court. Funding support from MOE for these two things will be minimal and making them happen will rely on fundraising, donations and grant applications. A share of the Easter Fair profit will help get us started. Exciting times are ahead!

Thanks again everyone. My gratitude to staff and community  who sacrificed Easter Weekend, and the months leading up to it for the benefit of Māpua School is huge.

Ngā mihi whakawhetai

Sharon Prestidge