The Project

We need someone who is willing to lead this steering group ... Do you have -

• Time on your hands?
• Experience at managing and motivating people?
• Experience at facilitating substantial fund-raising ventures?
• Time on your hands?
• The desire to become more involved with the school for the benefit of the school and community?
• And ... Time on your hands? 

If you can answer 'Yes' to many of those questions, we would really love to hear from you.  Contact me - WUP (dana@ngongotaha.school.nz/ 07 3572-119); or the school Office - 3574-531; or the principal, via the school Office. 

This project stalled but now is in the process of being re-BOOTED!!.  But to do that we need a committed team of volunteers with skills in the following areas first of all -

- FUNDRAISING
- FUNDRAISING
- FUNDRAISING ...

We are aware that Sausage Sizzles & Cake Stalls & Chocolate Sales are not going to cut it, so we need someone with the skills to facilitate and lead a team in organising Major Fundraising Events; Celebrity Auctions; Annual Sporting Events; Gala Days; Celebrity Dinner ... And any other ideas that can be dreamed up.  The Board is committed to this project and we are in discussions at the moment around the calling for the appoinment of a Project Manager. 

Last year a small group of individuals put their names forward to form a Steering Committee, we would like someone to lead this group.  I will remain on this group as Board Liaison, and Cathryn as principal and Steve Smith as Board chair will also be involved.  If you have skills in this area, and the time available, we want to hear from you.  Please contact me by e-mail or cell 027 746-1734 if you wish to discuss what might be involved.  Those who submitted their names last year are more than welcome to remain a part of the New & Improved Steering Committee.

The need for a Multi-Purpose space at Ngongotaha School that, among other things, could fucntion as a gymnasium has been discussed for a number of years.  With the Draft Curriculum from the Ministry of Education highlighting the need for students to become more active, the need becomes greater.  It is planned that this space will also take away the need to use the Community Hall for assemblies and other functions, the fact that the hall cannot be used as Ngongotaha School wishes also highlights the need for this project.

The intention is to have a multi-use space built in time for the school's centenary in 2011, it is to be located facing Hood Street and will cover most of what are currently the netball courts. 

The term 'gym' is overused and while this will be one function of this building, that will not be its sole function.  Below are some of the suggested uses ;-

• Assembly Hall
• Teaching Space
• Health & Activity Centre
• Community Resource

This new building will certainly be an asset, not only to the school but also to the wider school community.  And so to get away from the word 'gym', we are looking for a catchy name by which it will be known.  Do you have any ideas?  We want a name that will certainly incorporate its planned use; as a Student Health & Fitness centre; as a Community Recreation Resource; possibly even as a Wellness Centre to some degree. 

In the meantime, it might be called the Multi-Purpose Building (MPB) ... Not very 'catchy' is it?!?

The MPB will hardly be a 'shrinking violet'.  Concrete discussions are currently underway, but based on one concept drawing the school had completed in 2007, it will incorporate at least many of the following as well as perhaps other features ;-

• An activity space that will have court markings for netball, basketball, badminton and possibly volleyball;
  • With a sprung and polurethaned floor;
  • Possibly roll-out bleacher seating.
• Possibly audio-visual technology that could be used during assemblies or other similar uses;
• A stage with Green Room at the side and rear;
  • This may be to one side of the activity space;
  • The need for a Green Room will be hotly discussed.
• Storage space for sports equipment;
• Male and female changing facilities and toilets;
• Kitchen facilities;
  • Planned kitchen facilities would incorporate a servery that opens into the Conference Room as well as one which opens to outside.
• A 'Conference Room' type or teaching space
• Cleaner's storage room.

The size of the MPB may well be determined by cost; however the current Steering Group will reccommend that we as a school decide what we want and then raise funds accordingly.

Just like the word 'gym' is overused, so is the word 'committee', so we are the Steering Group.  This group was formed at a meeting held in Term Three to introduce the concept of the MPB to the school commnity, and to start the ball rolling.  The group is made up of the following ;-

• Staff
  • Alison Astwood
  • Ana Te Whata 
• Parents / Caregivers
  • Iain Breadmore
  • Dianne Hayward
  • Alan Hoffman
  • Sheree Savage
• Board of Trustees Facilitator
  • Dana W Stevens (danaws@teacher.com)

We will meet on a regular basis to discuss and monitor the progress of the MPB and also to coordinate the many fund-raising ventures that will be needed.  If you feel you would like to attend any of the meetings to offer and support or to give us your input you are more than welcome to.  To do so, send an email to me, Dana W Stevens, and I will let you know when the next meeting is planned ... And that is Wednesday 03 December, 6.00pm in the school staffroom.