- Organisation supported: Tarawera High School, Kawerau
- Project details: A grant to purchase a dedicated school van to help students travel to extracurricular activities, academic events, or off-site learning opportunities
- Four Winds Foundation grant funding allocated: $70,000
For many students at Tarawera High School in Kawerau, getting to extracurricular activities, academic events, or off-site learning opportunities can be a challenge.
The school serves students from years 7 to 13, many of whom rely on school support for access to opportunities that others might take for granted. Transport has long been a barrier to full participation, limiting students’ ability to attend sports tournaments, cultural experiences, leadership camps, and field trips.
Julie Mees, Tarawera High School’s Deputy Principal, explains: “Transport can be a barrier to activities being feasible, not only for the students but also for teachers who need to source additional transport options to make things happen. This is not always possible and can be both time consuming and expensive.”
To address this, Tarawera High School is planning the purchase of a dedicated school van as a safe and reliable solution to a long-standing issue. Thanks to a recent grant from the Four Winds Foundation, the school now has the funding it needs to make this project a reality.
Julie says the van will have a powerful impact on student access and equity: “This will open up opportunities for all students to participate in valuable curriculum and extracurricular opportunities — increased exposure to sport, academic and cultural experiences that would not otherwise be possible.”
The van will be fitted with a tachograph for safety compliance and branded with the school’s identity, promoting both student wellbeing and pride.
Julie believes this visibility will build connection and confidence: “A branded van will give our students and staff a sense of pride and identity. It will also send a positive message to our community that we are committed to providing opportunities for their children.”
The school hopes to have the van in service by June 2025, ready to take students where they need to go to learn, grow, and thrive.
