Local tamariki and rangatahi will benefit from the Central Lakes Trust (CLT) November grant round.

Central Lakes Trust grants manager Mat Begg said 15 of the 21 grants approved have a focus on assisting rangatahi and tamariki, from driving skills to work placement programmes, double glazing for the Teviot Valley Educare, to an anti-bullying programme.

The Central Otago Principals Association (COPA) referral programme received renewed support for the next three years. The programme; a CLT initiative dating back to 2006, funds assistance into the five secondary schools in Central Lakes.

It provides additional resources for special education and helps to minimise disruption to other students.

CLT grants manager Mat Begg

“Each school uses the funds differently depending on the year group and their needs. But often it is used in the form of a teacher aide. While some students benefit directly, all students in the class gain from having additional support as this frees up the teacher,” Mat said.

Dunstan High School’s Nathan Love said over the past 16 years, hundreds of students have benefited from COPA funding.

“Without a doubt in 2022 secondary schools are enrolling more Year 9 and 10 students who struggle with their learning.”

Roxburgh Area School’s Tania Miller said the funding is important in today’s environment.

“We have a significant number of students with very diverse learning needs. They do not qualify for Ministry funding but they still benefit hugely from one-on-one or small group assistance.”

Young people further benefit from funding towards the Sticks n’ Stones anti bullying programme which operates within our region to empower young people to prevent bullying, and build resilience.

Otago Secondary Sports Association receives $5,000 towards the programme costs of a Central Otago based events and competitions coordinator for the five high schools in the CLT area.

Funding was approved to support the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra, which every second year tours the primary schools of Central Lakes providing an interactive introduction to classical music and orchestral instruments.

Twenty-one grants in total were approved by the board at the last meeting for 2022 totalling almost $800K. The grants approved for the financial year so far total $7.95M.