Students get stuck into storm clean-up
A chance to clean up the Timaru Botanic Gardens and school grounds was all just in an afternoon’s work for 75 Timaru Girls’ High School and Timaru South School students.
For the conclusion of activities week year 9 TGHS students planned to clean the beach around Patiti Point but once hail struck Timaru on Wednesday they knew the beach could wait, and got stuck into the Botanic Gardens instead, the next day.
TGHS teacher Hayden Dawson said as the students walked past Timaru South School on the way to the gardens they helped clear the debris on the footpath and at the entrance to the school.
About 10 pupils from South School then went on to assist TGHS students in the clean up of the gardens, alongside Mainland Contracting which has the Timaru District Council contract to maintain the gardens.
A group of about 20 TGHS students remained at their own school raking leaves decimated by the hail stones.
About 20 woolsacks were donated from a Timaru business to hold the debris in all three clean up areas.
Timaru Girls’ High School deputy principal Logan Callow said students had done a ‘‘great job’’.
‘‘It is something we try to promote to make them good citizens and to care about their community,’’ he said.
Timaru District Council group manager community services Sharon Taylor said she was grateful for the work the students had done.
‘‘This is a great show of community spirit from the students, their willingness to pitch in and do their bit to help us clear up the mess at the Botanic Gardens is a real credit to them and their school.
‘‘Our gardens’ contractor and staff were really grateful for all of the students rolling their sleeves up and helping out,’’ Taylor said.