Thrill for students as project gets funding

A group of Huanui College students are thrilled to have been awarded funding for a project that will help boost the profile of the Cancer Society.

The project, a scarecrow decorating competition, was launched as part of their Year 10 business studies course and has been awarded second place in the BP Community Enterprise Project. Kelsey Eaton, Robert Hales, Jade Rakich-Tuhiwai and Ethan Poole began brainstorming the task in March, and it has been rewarding to see that their hard work has paid off.

Head of the commerce department and the Year 10 business studies teacher Vernice Young said: "I am very impressed with the team's dedication and commitment."

The students liaised with the Cancer Society and put in place a plan that involved a scarecrow decorating competition to raise funds for Daffodil Day, the Cancer Society's primary fundraising event.

The scarecrow competition was a success, with many kids entering brightly coloured scarecrows that were then displayed at the Whangarei Children's Library.

The second phase of the project is improved signage around the Northland Cancer Society office on Kamo Rd. The $1000 awarded to the team from BP will go towards the cost of the signs.

Paulette Scrooby of the Northland Cancer Society said she was impressed with the students' mature approach, standard of work and their follow through. She says the Society will be able to keep the community better informed with the new signs.

BP managing director Matt Elliott said the opportunity shows students how much of a difference they can make in their local communities.

Mrs Young said the kids will be even more excited once they get to see the signage completed in the new year.