Mangawhai Club funds help keep kids at school

BY JULIA WADE

22 Aug, 2022

Small town kindness, generosity and support is alive and breathing in Mangawhai, with businesses, clubs and individuals making a daily difference to those on a rough road.

For a number of struggling families with children at Mangawhai Beach School [MBS] life has been a little easier since The Mangawhai Club became involved, with volunteers preparing meals as well as providing funds for groceries, clothing and educational assessments.

Organised by one of The Club’s committee members, Phil Johnson, and in collaboration with MBS deputy principal Emma Grieve, up to 30 families have benefited from the initiative so far, which mainly aims to increase student attendance by providing the basics such as food and clothing including school uniform winter jackets, Phil says.

“The school had identified a truancy issue and when I liaised with Emma, we discussed what ideas they had to address this, what the school’s greatest needs were and how The Mangawhai Club could support the school,” he says. “To address the truancy, we’re providing breakfasts to encourage those students with lower attendance records to attend more regularly.”

A dedicated small group of volunteers gather at the school to cook dinners for families in need, an idea which began as an isolation support Emma says ‘and seems to just plod along’.

“We make large simple meals like shepherd’s pie or spag bol and freeze it, then the food can get delivered to families when required. We will also do weekly shops for people when needed, stocking up on the basics for them. A big thing is the cost of fresh food, especially fruit and veg which our students need badly.”

Besides the disconcerting fact of a growing number of students coming to class without a full lunch box, ‘if any at all’, another significant concern for the school is the District Health Board’s lengthy waiting list to identify children’s specific learning needs, taking anywhere between eight to 18 months.

“Our students, their families and teachers just don’t have that time… there is a large number who are struggling academically, socially and behaviourally,” Emma says. “There is a widening gap between the students academically and what we are seeing pastorally for them. Without the right support they just can’t flourish at school.”

Funded through The Club’s TAB machines, students who need their learning needs evaluated can now be fast-tracked to be seen by private paediatricians and companies, at a cost between $800 and $1500 per assessment. The Club is now looking to see what funding will be available for another term to support these initiatives.

“The school pays up front and the parents pay back over time. We try and make it workable for them so pretty much do 50/50 if they can afford it,” Emma says. “There’s not always going to be the cash there to share, the $4000 donated has been amazing and helped in so many ways. On behalf of the school, students and families, I would like to extend a massive thank you to The Club for their generosity. Their support has been invaluable, the donations have made a world of difference for the children and families in Mangawhai.”

“There is a widening gap between the students academically and what we are seeing pastorally for them. Without the right support they just can’t flourish at school.”

– Emma Grieve, MBS deputy principal

The Club committee member Phil Johnson says the aim of the initiative is to provide the care and support struggling families need to get their kids healthy, happy and attending school. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Volunteers prepare meals as well as providing funds for groceries, clothing and educational assessments.