In brief

EPILEPSY PALS

A group of young men with epilepsy have formed a peer support group as an initiative of the EpilepsyWaikato Charitable Trust (EWCT). ‘‘November is EWCT’s epilepsy awareness month and is all about promoting peer-to- peer support for those living with the condition,’’ said epilepsy adviser Maria Lowe. A free general epilepsy talk, ‘‘Having epilepsy and the epilepsy burden’’ will be given by Lowe on November 18 at the Methodist City Action Centre, 50 London St, from 10am to noon. Details for EWCT’s epilepsy November awareness month are available at www.ewct.org.nz.

GIRLGUIDES TARGET BUSINESSES

In an effort to increase sales of their biscuits and reduce the fundraising burden on girls, parents and volunteers, GirlGuides is asking businesses to share a biscuit in support of Kiwi girls and purchase special Morning Tea Packs for $250 which include 49 packs of biscuits and jar. All profits will go towards programmes aimed at empowering Kiwi girls and young women. Founded in 1908, there are around 8000 members in New Zealand. To purchase a GirlGuiding Morning Tea Pack or for more information, visit www.badge4life.co.nz. Includes free delivery.

DISABILITY SPORTS DAY

Registrations are now open for the Halberg Waikato Junior Disability Sports Day. Hosted by the Halberg Disability Sport Foundation and Parafed Waikato, this free event for physically disabled and visually impaired Year 1 – 8Waikato students will take place on Wednesday, November 23 at Southwell School in Hamilton. A number of sports will be on offer for students to try including; athletics, boccia, wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball and goalball. To register, contact Halberg Disability Sport Adviser Dave MacCalman on davem@halberg.co.nz or 027 457 9980.

PARTNERSHIP FIRST OF ITS KIND

The University ofWaikato has become the first New Zealand university to be approved to teach and award its degrees in China. Starting in September 2017, the University ofWaikato will establish a joint Institute with Zhejiang University City College (ZUCC) which will allow students to complete their degree studies in China and receive a dual degree from both universities. ZUCC is an independent college of Zhejiang University – one of the top three universities in China. The first intake of students will be able to study for degrees in finance, media and creative technologies, and computer graphic design.

WAIKATO YOUTH CELEBRATED

Three of theWaikato region’s brightest young Kiwis have been honoured for their courage and outstanding community contribution, as part of the Graeme Dingle Foundation’s 2016 Excellence Awards. Teariki-Terae Tearoa-Natua (Tokoroa High School), Nicole Rusk (Forest View High School) and Mitchell Crow (Fairfield College) each received the Outstanding Contribution from a Stars Peer Mentor Award, in recognition of the contribution they’ve made to the Stars programmes run within their respective schools. Also recognised were William Po’ese and Terry Faleva’ai, who received the Kiwi Can Outstanding Team Leader Award, for their work at Crawshaw School – which took out the Outstanding Kiwi CanPSr oa