Five-year-olds (from left) Liam Wallis, Oakley Mason and Kaius Cummings made pinecone kakapo to sell at market day.
Green jellies were the clear winner at Holly Jenkins’ class stall at Hautapu School’s market day last Friday, snaffled long before the chocolate crackle ‘birds nests’ and kakapo cupcakes disappeared.
Also up for grabs were kākāpō pinecones, which her new entrants spent two days painting, colouring and gluing.
The market day, raising money for Sanctuary Mountain, was cooked up by year 7/8 teachers Rebecca Silcock and Stephanie Barr.
“It began as a project for our two senior classes but grew into a whole school event,” Rebecca said. “We liked the idea of our community giving back to mana whenua and Sanctuary Mountain.”
Students had visited Maungatautari and researched kākāpō – which were released onto the mountain in July – and other endangered birds.
They then worked on the market day concept, creating and making products to sell.
People came to trade their cash for paper Hautapu dollars and sample the treats and experiences on offer.
Year 8 student Isabella Bond was scooping ice cream hand over fist – even though it wasn’t actually frozen. Made from playdough in mouth-watering flavours such as orange sorbet and strawberry swirl, it came served with free glitter and sequin sprinkles and sold for $2 a tub.
“I’m aiming to make $150 and I think I’m halfway there so far,” said the 13-year-old after 45 minutes at her stall.
Sharni Weir went along to support her seven-year-old son Archie, who made hand-drawn pictures framed with painted ice block sticks, and her five-year-old daughter Emelia, who produced baking and a pinecone kākāpō.
“I’ve just watched my daughter using the money and trying to establish how much money she has left, which I think is a great little skill to have at five,” she said.
“I visited Sanctuary Mountain with my two children on a school trip and it was pretty incredible to see the work they do up there.”
Rebecca and Stephanie were proud of the students.
“It’s great to be able to hopefully offer some assistance – whatever amount we can offer – to Sanctuary Mountain because it’s so important to protect our native species and to have such a taonga for our community,” Rebecca said.
Isabelle McKeon, Alexa Brooks and Isla Salmi with home baked cookies at their stall.
Year 8 student Isabella Bond (left) scoops mint choc chip playdough ice cream with strawberry sprinkles for year 5 student Madison Gibbs, watched by teachers Rebecca Silcock and Stephanie Barr and principal Tracey Bennett.
