Every year the Kristin Prefects give back to their community - a strong principle that goes with the ethos and values of Kristin. The Prefects head their own 'Prefect Project', this is entirely run by students from start to finish. Past projects include renovating the Recreation Room at the Wilson Home, planting a new garden for Homai School for the Blind and decorating the Oncology Day Stay Unit at Auckland Hospital. These projects not only help our friends in need, but also enable Kristin to give something back. Previous Prefect Projects have been extremely successful due to the dedication and hard work of those involved and the support of our families.
“The Prefect Project completes a full circle. Excitement and hope of planning, give way to the stress and pressure of creating. Stress and pressure lead to a sense of achievement and fulfilment of finishing. But at the end, personal feelings matter little when you see that the precious commodity of your time and hard work transform into excitement and hope on the faces of those whose lives you have made a difference in.”
Lewis Fry, Head Boy 2010
2010 Prefect Project
This year the Prefects have decided to re- furbish the New Zealand Refugee Centre. Situated in Mangere, the Prefects felt it would be fitting to think outside of their community to help those in need. They aim to restore several aspects of the centre, in order to provide a welcoming and peaceful environment to make the transition to New Zealand society, an easier one.
'Around the World in 80 Questions'
The Prefects are proud to present the 2010 annual Prefect fundraiser, 'Around the World in 80 Questions'. This will be a fun-filled night of competitive quizzes, friendly rivalry, and an opportunity to win some fantastic prizes, all for a good cause. Get your friends together and organise and book your table of 10 now using the link below. Tickets are limited!
Tickets to 'Around the World in 80 Questions' SOLD OUT!
The recent Trivia Night 'Around the World in 80 Questions' was a huge success and raised $17,000.00 for the 2010 Prefect Project. This entirely student-run event was a great example of the Kristin community working together for a worthy cause. With the money raised the Prefects will be able to make a significant difference to the physical environment of the Mangere Refugee Centre and detailed planning is now underway, with a handover date set for early Term 3. The Prefects would like to extend their thanks to all the supporters who attended the evening and the many generous donations received.
View the promotional video about our Quiz Night below.
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Handover to the New Zealand Refugee Centre
We held the official handover of their Prefect Project 2010 on the morning of Sunday 8 August at the New Zealand Refugee Resettlement Centre (MRRC) in Mangere.
We gathered in the eating room hall at about 9.30am, there were at least 100 people there to be a part of the event including Andrew Lockhart National Manager of the Refugee Division, Kaumatua (Tainui), the current refugee residents of the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre, NGOs involved in settlement on-site (Refugee Services, AUT, Red Cross, Refugees as Survivors), Immigration New Zealand staff, the Year 11 Student Council, staff of Kristin School, Mr Kelly, parents and us, the Prefects.
The National Anthem was sung, lead by Rebekah Kraft and we were welcomed by Andrew Lockhart. Mr Kelly gave a speech about the Prefect Project as did David Liao and Rebecca Greenop who explained the design and gave thank yous. Seven of the Prefects performed Kiwi song ‘Weather With You’ by Crowded House with ukuleles. Year 11 representative Akshay Sreenivasan spoke and presented a trolley of sports equipment which they had donated.
It was then time for the blessing of the garden and the previously planted Kauri tree, which was performed by the Kaumatua.
Mr Kelly cut the red ribbon with the aid of two of the young ones from the Refugee Centre and the final plaque was unveiled with the UNHCR’s definition of a refugee, this was read out by Rebecca Greenop.
We spent some time with the children from the centre and then celebrated inside with morning tea. It was a humbling event as everyone was extremely appreciative.
Click on the image below to see some of the morning.
Last Year's Project
Reading Resources for Wesley School
The 2009 Prefects chose to provide additional reading resources and programmes for Wesley School in Mt Roskill, Auckland. We understand the pressures facing some schools and the difficulty they have providing extra resources for their students. Wesley is a small Decile One school, we have been working closely with them for some time now and have established a relationship which we hope will continue for many years, while at the same time, help to introduce more children to the enjoyment of reading.
Books for Wesley – Drop off any time Term 2 and Term 3
We needed library books for the children at Wesley. For many, English is their second language and they struggle with not having access to books at home and school at their level. We asked the Kristin Community if they had any second-hand books for age groups five to eight-years-old, to bring them to school in Term 2 and Term 3. Books could be left at any of the school offices.
Other fundraising events also took place to support this worthwhile cause including a Mufi Day, 'Are You Smarter Than a Kristin Student?', Kristin KAOS and Fun Week.
The books our school community provided enhanced the stocks in the Library at Wesley while the funds raised helped us to provide the supplementary reading resources for the teachers.
Handover to Wesley
On Tuesday 25 August, the Prefects and other representatives from Kristin visited the Wesley students in Mt Roskill to officially hand over the Prefect Project donations. The Saturday prior, the students had delivered the book collection to the school, completely filling up a storeroom where they will be located before each being catalogued and placed in the school's library.
On presentation day, the Wesley students performed on stage in the assembly hall for the Prefects doing: Kapa Haka, Tongan Dance and singing songs. Many of our staff had to hold back tears from feeling so humbled to be honoured in such a way. Mr Kelly gave a speech about how we value the role of Prefects as being of service to others.
We were able to share some time with the children following the official ceremony and it was wonderful to see how enthusiastic they all were about their new resources.
Click on the image below to see more from the day.
Reading Resources for Wesley School
