On Thursday 24th October...

...we had the honour of hosting an assembly to celebrate ‘The Middleton Grange Million.’ This was to commemorate our hard work fundraising over the last 37 years for the 40 Hour Famine.

We welcomed Philippa Cochrane (the World Vision’s Schools Partnership Manager) and the CEO of World Vision, Mr Grant Bayldon. Philippa spoke about the 37 year partnership World Vision and Middleton Grange have cultivated, including the wider whakapapa of the school – our parents and possibly even grandparents.

The Primary School was presented with a Silver award, and an innovation award for their excellent idea of the parrot Sam from South Sudan. A fantastic effort from Mrs Rebecca Thompson and the team from the Primary School.

The Senior School was presented with a Gold Award for fundraising towards the 40 Hour Famine this year. They raised a whopping total of $35,399, which is the most raised over our time doing the 40 Hour Famine. Thanks to all the pupils who helped make this year such a resounding success. This also includes a Scholarship for a current Year 12 Pupil to travel to Auckland for a 3.5 day seminar to invest in the future leaders of 2020. This has been awarded to Luke Stedman.

Mrs Cassie Foster was awarded an ‘Outstanding Famine Organiser” award for her leadership of the World Vision Team. It was the only one awarded to a staff member in the South Island.

One pupil was recognised with the most prestigious World Vision award. This is the ‘Spirit of Dulcie’ Award and is presented to a pupil who has a heart for the cause and the desire and motivation to make a change in this world. This went to a Year 13 pupil, Izaac Wilson. He is well known in social justice circles, having been involved with World Vision since he was 10!

Izaac’s heart for the kids in South Sudan has also earned him a coveted spot as a World Vision Ambassador for 2020. He will travel to Malawi to see first-hand World Vision’s work in the area. Izaac will then work with the Team back in New Zealand, going to schools to educate and support them in their famine endeavours. He also received a ‘Greatest Individual Impact Award’ for single-handedly raising over $14,000.

Izaac received a standing ovation from the entirety of the assembly, which was incredibly moving to behold.

Mr Grant Bayldon then spoke to the assembly about the impact raising over one million dollars has on the countries they’ve worked with. Middleton has sponsored 63 children directly, and supported numerous emergency aid reliefs.

Other staff were recognised for their contributions to the Middleton Grange Million: Dave Gillion, Geoff Steyn, Tony Kendrew, Tim Lalahi, Juliet Cruz and Kristy Neil.

Lastly, Middleton was awarded with a plaque commemorating $1, 043, 957.67. A fantastic effort by all involved.