Trust will assist funding

Press, 5 October 1988, Page 45

Trust will assist funding

Burnside High School staff believe there is an urgent need for expensive facilities to provide students with a comprehensive and meaningful education.

Facilities that have been identified include a suitable school venue for the presentation of performing arts, and a high technology area. The main source of

school fundings is Government grants through the Department of Education.

These funds, however, are only sufficient to cope with a school's minimum requirements. To extend educational opportunities to students, schools are faced with the prospect of raising further money through fairs, work days and other activities.

Burnside High School has raised its own funds in the past to purchase computers, musical instruments, audio visual equipment, mini buses, and a variety of other useful items.

Funding expensive facilities has become more and more difficult over the years. To greatly assist funding, Burnside set up a trust last year. The trust aims to promote and assist the ad-

vancement of education at the school. In addition, the trust encourages and supports the relationship between Burnside High School and the north-west community in the multiple use of school facilities for the benefit of everyone.

Owing to the relatively short time the school has been going (it was opened in 1960), few legacies are offered. The school could benefit, however, from past students who are in their 40s and may have some disposable income. At present, there is an effort to establish contact with former students as well as residents and business establishments in the north-west area.

Support from these people and organisations, through the trust, will assist with the school’s ambitious new projects.

The chairman of the trust is Mr Tom Lees, a company director. Other trustees are: Richard Bray, the general manager of Trustbank Canterbury; Alan Shaw, a barrister and solicitor; Murray Rodgers, a management consultant and Alan Taylor, a university teacher. The trust’s secretary is Mr Doug Hitchon, the executive officer for Burnside High School. A special dinner will be held at Twiggers Restaurant at Canterbury Park Raceway on October 20. This event is to publicise the fundraising effort for the new auditorium and high technology resource centre. Mr Trevor de Cleene, member of Parliament for Palmerston North, will be the main speaker and Mr David McPhail will be master of ceremonies.