Burgled school fights on
New balls, bibs and uniforms will be locked in a shipping container at one of central Auckland’s most burgled primary schools.
The decile 1 Te Papapa School has been broken into 12 times in two years and was hit three times over the Christmas holidays.
But its fighting spirit has seen it awarded a more than $6000 ANZ Netball Grant.
Thieves took the caretaker’s tools, which had just been replaced after a previous break-in, and sports gear on Boxing Day. Then, in the early hours of January 26, the administration computer was taken from the front desk and the principal’s office vandalised.
Te Papapa lost its remaining administration computer and a new plasma TV from the library in its most recent break-in on February 4.
Sports co-ordinator Teck Wee says the burglaries were upsetting and fundraising puts a strain on the ‘‘ small but generous community’’.
A shipping container has been provided as a safe storage space.
‘‘The new gear will enable our netballers to compete in competitions and continue to represent our school to the best of their ability, and the container means it’ll be safe,’’ Wee says.
Karen Tuiti from ANZ Onehunga says despite the burglaries the schoolchildren have not let it destroy their team spirit. Their determination impressed the judges, who dish out $100,000 worth of grants.