WORDS & IMAGES BY ANNETTE SCOTT
When you shop with Ruralco or a Ruralco merchant, you support your local community; that’s the mantra behind Ruralco’s Spend for Your School programme.
The initiative is part of the co-operative’s new strategic direction as it increases its effort “to make a difference that matters,” says Ruralco Chief Executive Tony Aitken.
“We’re local first. That means we’re making sure we give back to our local communities and the future farmers of Mid Canterbury.
“Our Spend for Your School programme offers our members the chance to win $500 for a primary school of their choice.”
Winning schools so far have included Mayfield Primary, Lauriston Primary, and Methven Primary, and each have greatly appreciated the extra money to help them deliver quality education to our local kids.
In a novel approach to give everyone a chance to have input, Mayfield School’s “how to spend $500” was a decision made in consultation with all the children across all classes.
Mayfield was the first school to benefit from Ruralco’s Spend for Your School programme.
“It was exciting to get this donation and so I thought it would be a good idea to see how the children might like to spend it,” principal Aroha Stewart says.
“I asked the children what they love about their school and what they really wanted at the school, and they said a swing.”
“It was pretty cool really, the $500 became the catalyst for the swing project.” And a fundraising drive was started to reach the quote of $10,000 for a “sensor swing and a normal swing the $500 was a swinging start.”
Other fundraising has included a quiz night, and the school has applications in for funding with the hope of having swings in the playground before the end of the year.
“It really has been a good option. All the children wanted this for the greater good of everyone, and not just everyone now, but for future school children in the playground, for many children and many years to come.”
The children and teachers hailed a huge thank you to the Orchard family’s grandparents who nominated Mayfield School.
“We are very grateful to the family and to Ruralco and we encourage our school community to support this project and Ruralco, this is a great project they have got going,” Aroha says.
Lauriston School was the second winner and “was very excited and grateful to receive $500 as part of the Ruralco Spend for Your School programme.”
Sport and recreation team leader Laura Twiss says the money was set aside to invest in the sports department and buy some new gear to help ensure permanent events take place throughout the year, such as Jump Jam, the winter sports tournament and athletics.
“Recently we have been able to purchase a new Jump Jam kit allowing us to learn new dance routines as part of our fitness programme and in preparation for the upcoming regional Jump Jam competition that takes place in Christchurch.”
Inspired by a previous regional win in 2017, and a third placing last year, Jump Jam has become a huge part of Lauriston school.
“It is awesome to have so many students involved especially now we have the latest kit; we are really ramping up with more students encouraged to get involved this year.
“We select the routine as a team at school. Students will be given a Jump Jam t-shirt to wear on stage as part of their entry fee, which they can keep. With our new kit we are right up there.”
After the Jump Jam spend there is still $100 left to spend on new basketballs for the upcoming mini ball competition and some new athletics equipment.
“Thank you so much Ruralco, and to our Ruralco member Sue for nominating us.”
Methven Primary School is the third winner of the Spend in Schools programme with plans to stock up on indoor games for wet day entertainment in the library.
“We have a huge thank you for Ruralco and to the local family that nominated us for the $500, this is all e xtra funds that will help provide resources and opportunities for children right across the school,” Principal Sue Furndorfler says.
Methven has tagged the $500 for a spend in the library as new ideas transform the library space for more use over the winter months.
“We have a new librarian, Rachel Brown, and she has new fresh ideas.”
These include opening the library every lunchtime and with a growing school roll, stocking up with new books and indoor games.
“We looked at the games and really, we have very few in the way of board games and the like, for students to utilise on cold and rainy-day lunch times, so the $500 is tagged t o stock up on learning and educational indoor games.
“Mrs Brown is training up a student librarian and focusing towards running the library like a lunchtime club with the older children taking a lead.So, thank you Ruralco, this money will be spent for the children of the community who will benefit for many years.”
Winners of June was Wakanui Primary and July Mayfield School again.
“It’s been great visiting the winning schools, connecting with our people, and being able to support our locals at a grassroots level,” says Tony Aitken.
“Primary schools are at the heart of rural communities. Also in the heart of those communities are our future generations, and we are helping to improve education and opportunities for our kids.”
Spend for Your School is also aimed at encouraging people to use the Ruralco Card more with local merchants. The programme gives away one $500 cash prize e very month for the 2024 calendar year, with qualifying merchants including all businesses that accept the Ruralco Card for payment, including Ruralco retail stores.
“This is another way we connect with our local community. It fits why we are a co-operative, we put money aside each month to give back to our locals,” says Tony.
Every 10 transactions with their Ruralco Card gets members one entry into the prize draw to win $500 cash for an Ashburton school of their choice.
“The more you use the card the more chance you have to support the local schools, and it’s entirely the school’s choice how they decide what is best and how they spend the money.
“Simply spend on your Ruralco Card to go in the draw. Plus, you get great discounts and real value when you choose to use your Ruralco Card, which gives you the opportunity to support your nominated local school to the tune of $500.”
Find out more about Spend for Your School
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