The kids of Beach Haven Primary School will be welcomed back to school in 2019 with a completely refurbished schoolyard thanks to the School Buddy programme launched by Kennards Hire in partnership with national children’s charity KidsCan.
Beach Haven Primary School now has safe and clean school fields and an improved sandpit and exercise area, complete with refreshed playground equipment that has been water-blasted to remove dirt and debris.
More than 50 volunteers worked to make the day a success and complete the project in time.
“We are incredibly proud to be working with KidsCan and are delighted to bring the community together to help out Beach Haven Primary School.
"The school is part of a thriving, close-knit community which Kennards Hire is a part of and we love nothing more then to lend a hand."
Through initiatives like the School Buddy programme we can help the next generation of Kiwis have the best possible learning environment,” said Tom Kimber, CEO of Kennards Hire NZ.
"The School Buddy programme helps to create safer and more engaging school environments for Kiwi kids with a hands-on approach," says KidsCan CEO and founder Julie Chapman.
"The programme sees every Kennards Hire branch in New Zealand partnering with a local school to donate hire equipment, resources and manpower to help communities improve and maintain school buildings, grounds and play areas."
"I'd like to thank everyone who volunteered their time to create the facilities that our kids deserve. Kennards did a brilliant job, and it was awesome to see the kids' faces light up as they saw their newly madeover environment come to life," says Chapman.
Kennard’s Hire Albany delivered equipment, including a mini loader, pressure washer, wheelbarrows, shovels and tools for weeding free of charge, saving the school thousands of dollars.
The event brought together parents, children, teachers, community members, rugby stars from North Harbour Rugby as well as local elected members John Gillon, chair of Kaipātiki Local Board, and North Shore ward councillors Chris Darby and Richard Hills.
Attendees also got to enjoy receiving rugby tips from some of the country’s top rugby players, and finished off with a well-deserved BBQ courtesy of North Harbour Rugby.
“It’s great to see our community come together to make an important difference in the lives of young,” said North Shore Ward Councillor Chris Darby.
"These upgrades and repairs will ensure children have a safe, nurturing and beautiful school environment that they can enjoy."
There are currently 22 schools paired with a local Kennards Hire branch as part of the School Buddy Programme around New Zealand, with more to come in the future.
For more information on the School Buddy Programme, visit kidscan.org.nz or kennardshire.co.nz.
Photos from the day, including before and after images, will soon be shared on the Kaipātiki Local Board Facebook page.
