Two new school playgrounds have opened in the heart of the Hauraki Plains.
Waitakaruru School and Turua School both celebrated the openings of their new school play areas, with each school community gathering for the occasions. Work began on Waitakaruru School’s playground in the April holidays, with contractors and school board members pitching in to remove the old structure.
The project was completed by week two of the following term, and the blessing and opening ceremony was held on May 9. The ribbon was cut by the school’s oldest and youngest students, Noah Hull and Ofa Pukeroa.
The school had been fundraising for the playground since 2022, and was helped along by a $100,000 grant from the Lotteries Commission. Other funds came from Tony Coombe and Murray McLean from Ian McClean Trust, Thomas Townsend from Townsend Trust, a golf fundraiser run by Rachel and Wayne at Ngatea Milking, donated bull calves, and events put on by the school fundraising team.
Meanwhile, Turua School’s new play area was blessed on May 12, with the ribbon cut by Turua School’s oldest student Aiden Ehrhorn and youngest student Max McLean.
Turua School’s playground includes a basketball hoop, swings and climbing frames.
