Closed For Good helps out in garden

Our schools

BY GEMMA REDDELL

Whangaparaoa BNZ closed for a day last week, so staff could help in the community.

Closed for Good day saw staff members donate their time to community projects around the district.

Five Whangaparaoa BNZ women were at the Red Beach Playcentre doing gardening, weeding, turning bark in the play areas, repairing wind breaks, cutting excess tree branches, and water-blasting play areas and outdoor climbing equipment.

Red Beach Playcentre’s Debbie Thearle says they are an early childhood centre run by volunteers, so really appreciated the help,

"Because our members contribute so much time and energy to educating the children, attending training courses and running the centre, we find it a challenge to keep up with the maintenance of gardens and grounds as well, so an outdoor spring clean is going to be appreciated by all the children and their families."

In return for all their hard work, some members provided lunch and morning and afternoon tea.

The Playcentre thanks Metrowaste for taking away the cleanup rubbish.

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Stanmore Bay School’s gala on Sunday, November 29, offers an exciting and varied programme from 10am-2pm.

Joy rides include a new double half-pipe slide from M&M, helicopter rides along the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, as well as other rides, music, goods, raffles, refreshments and stalls.

A new guess the weight of Stan the Crayfish competiton has Oceanz Seafood donating the crayfish and Animates lending the water tank for the day.

PTA chairwoman Katie Monckton says the school is aiming to outdo the huge success of last year’s event.

"Everyone pitches in, parents, teachers, students, local businesses and members of the community – it’s not just great for the school, it’s fantastic to see everyone in the area come together for the day."

The gala opens with the Barbara Kendall and Jonny Williams Show Time Dance Group – Stanmore Bay children who feature as part of the entertainment, says Ms Monckton.

"We also have Gary Brown to MC and Austin Powers included in the entertainment."

The Silverdale Fire Brigade has a display and Santa will arrive by army truck. Remote control boats in the pool, a dunking chair, coconut shy and bamboo catapult are included.

A silent auction will run all day with more than $8000 worth of donated goods.

A bumper crop of food and drink stalls, and loads of hampers and tempting treats will satisfy the appetite.

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Children wearing red at Stella Maris School in Silverdale are raising diabetes awareness.

Parent Annie Cody has organised the Diabetes Type One Awareness Day on Tuesday November 17 for World Diabetes Day.

Daughter Molly, 10, is a type one diabetic, as well as another girl Sasha, also 10.

"We wanted to mark this day, so the school is being incredibly supportive by letting me organising a Red Day for the children," Ms Cody says.

"I will be talking to all the children, teaching them what type one diabetes is, as there are many misconceptions out there."

Students will be invited to pledge a lolly free week to give them a small understanding of life as a diabetic.

Ms Cody says it’s an insidious illness that dominates the lives of affected children.

"They live under the constant shadow of further illness and organ failure which will arise if their diabetes is not properly managed.

"When they become ill the children are often hospitalised because their blood glucose levels are difficult to keep within acceptable levels."

"Type one children are unlucky enough to have lost a genetic hand of poker. Lifestyle has nothing to do with their condition.

"Their best possible outcome will arise from careful and proper management of their condition through the constant monitoring of blood glucose levels and self administering insulin – every day for the rest of their lives."

Orewa Care Chemist staff will wear Diabetes Type One awareness t-shirts during November and have a donation bucket.

- © Fairfax NZ News