New Zealand Community Trust has granted Rotorua’s Glenholme School $10,000 to help upgrade their playground with a new waka seesaw, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable space for students to learn through play.

“We urgently needed to upgrade our old playground equipment,” Glenholme School’s finance executive Donna Burns said.

“Although well-used, it had become an unsafe health hazard due to its advanced age and poor condition, so we decided to replace it with a waka seesaw.”

Burns said the waka seesaw has special significance for the school as it’s featured in the school logo and there is a waka carving at the front of the school.

“It’s also part of our class rewards programme and perfectly aligns with our school’s identity and values.

“Thanks to this generous grant from NZCT, the waka seesaw will undoubtedly remain a cherished feature of our playground for many years to come,” Burns said.

Glenholme School is an inner-city school serving approximately 350 students dedicated to providing a quality, inclusive learning environment that celebrates diversity. The school fosters strong relationships between students, staff, and the wider community, including the local Iwi Ngati Whakaue.

“We’re thrilled to help the school upgrade its play area so pupils can do what they do best – play," NZCT’s GM of Grants, Marketing and Communications, Ben Hodges said.

NZCT is one of the largest gaming societies in New Zealand. In 23/24, NZCT awarded over $40 million in grants for a wide range of community services, including sports, rescue services, youth development, the arts, and cultural activities

“This grant wouldn’t be possible without the responsible gaming partnerships we share with our Rotorua-based venues Kasper’s Sports Bar, Mo’s Bar, and the West End Tavern,” Hodges said.