A MESSAGE FROM KIDS FIRST COMMITTEE
Kids First is a vibrant group of parents and caregivers who work together to support our school. We primarily focus on fundraising to enhance the learning environment for our tamariki. Our committee plays a vital role by contributing $20,000 to the Board of Trustees' strategic plan each year, ensuring that our school continues to thrive.
Committee Members
The success of the Kids First committee depends on the support of parents, whānau, and caregivers. We encourage anyone interested in getting involved to reach out and join us in making a difference!
Nikki Garrett – President | Robyn van Eyk |
Kelly Fisher – Treasurer | Shannon Stratford |
Fiona Hitchcock – Secretary | Sarah Hogan |
Ann Stephens | Raina Schouten |
Faan Basson | Zhenya Coxhead |
Whitney Park |
2024 Fundraising Success
Thanks to the amazing support from our community, Kids First raised significant funds through various initiatives. Here’s a breakdown of what we’ve accomplished in 2024:
Quiz Night fundraiser: $3,900
Whittaker’s Chocolates fundraiser: $10,872
Kids Quizathon fundraiser: $6,324
Cross Country sausages: $1,242
Bull Calf Scheme: $16,856 (Thanks to Shannon Burke for leading this project!)
Halloween Disco: $1,443.75
2024 Contributions to Ngatea Primary
In 2024, Kids First proudly contributed over $20,000 to the Board of Trustees' strategic plan, which is crucial for purchasing essential resources and supporting property projects. Additionally, we placed $25,000 in a term deposit to fund the new playground, ensuring future generations of tamariki will have a fantastic space to learn and play. We also purchased Chromebooks (via North Fuels).
Board Projects 2024
The board has been focusing on the first phase of the playground upgrade ($528,000), which will be officially opened on Thursday, 10 April 2025.
Board Future Projects
Playground (Phase 2): The board is aiming to complete the second phase of the playground, which includes the addition of a water feature for students to enjoy (estimated cost: $50,000). Anyone who has seen the number of students engaged in our sandpits - building, creating, and incorporating water into their play - will understand just how popular and well-used this feature is likely to be.
School van: Another project on the board’s priority list is the purchase of a second school van (estimated cost: $60,000). While transport is readily available for some events, it has become increasingly difficult to secure enough vehicles for many co-curricular activities, especially given the demands on working families. A second school van would provide much-needed flexibility and support for student participation.
A Fun Afternoon for Our Tamariki
To show our appreciation for the students' fundraising efforts, we hosted a fun afternoon with a free sausage sizzle, ice blocks, and a water slide with foam from the fire truck. It was well-received, and thanks to everyone who helped organise it!
School Uniform
A big thank you to the board and NPS staff for developing the new online ordering platform with our uniform supplier. This has significantly streamlined the process and made it easier for our families to purchase uniforms.
A Special Thank You to Our School Whānau and Community
A huge thank you to all the families and members of our school whānau. Your unwavering support makes everything we do possible. We truly couldn’t achieve these accomplishments without you. Let’s keep the momentum going and continue making a difference in the lives of our tamariki.
2025 Fundraising and events planned so far:
Term Two | Term Three | Term Four |
Whittaker’s chocolate Toi Marama: Arts & Cultural Festival | Cross country sausages Quizathon | Bull calf scheme Halloween disco Kids fun day |
If you’d like to get involved or have any questions, feel free to contact us kf.president@ngatea.school.nz or attend our next committee meeting!