Donors provide lifeline to school
At the end of term 2 this year, Matahui School revealed that it was struggling to maintain financial viability. As a not-for-profit organisation Matahui School relies on school fees for all running and operation costs of the school, which means that the low enrolment numbers following the Covid19 lockdowns and its inability to host international students has seen a dramatic shortfall in its operational budget. The school’s future was looking bleak unless immediate financial assistance was found.
This announcement at the end of July prompted Matahui School’s parents and alumni to form a working group that reached out to its immediate and wider community for help to cover the immediate shortfall while a more permanent financial plan was put in place.
In less than three weeks, a lifeline was successfully raised for Matahui School from a number of generous donors who heeded the call to help. With sufficient money donated, Matahui School is able to continue operating while a long term plan can be found, and will provide the students with stability till the end of Term 4, enabling them to continue learning in an environment where they feel safe.
Principal Mary Woods says “It’s nothing short of amazing. We are so humbled by the response from our community and cannot thank all those who have contributed; be it financially, with their time, or through their kind words,”
“Common themes in some of the responses from parents and alumni is that Matahui has greatly contributed to the success of their children; how Matahui not only provides a more formal education but also teaches children empathy, social responsibility and kindness; and how the school provides an alternative approach for families whose children might struggle in the current educational environment.”
The school was started 32 years ago in response to one parent’s concern about her child’s wellbeing and education. Since then, Woods says the school is proud to have ex-students who have gone on to be Olympians, as well as head and deputy head students at college.
“Matahui School aims to provide learning that teaches in a way each student learns best; we place a strong emphasis on education outside the classroom with our forest school and many camps which help students develop resilience, problem-solving and leadership skills. Matahui is a place where children’s cultural, emotional and individual strengths are fostered and valued,” says Woods.