The Board of Trustees established the Makaraka School Endowment Fund two years ago to help future proof their school. It’s a long-term strategy which they hope will guarantee a substantial amount of financial support for the school in the future.
Schools are constantly under financial pressure and being a small school makes Makaraka’s mission even more arduous. They have to provide the same core support services as larger schools, yet with under 200 students, they don’t benefit from the economies of scale that come with being a larger school.
Established in 1875, Makaraka School has a rich history spanning over 140 years and is one of the oldest schools in the district. They established their fund to make sure their school is still going strong in one hundred years, and more, from now.
Hayden Swann, Makaraka School Principal, says their school community has been supporting the fund for the past two years with voluntary donations.
“We invited parents to make voluntary donations of $10 towards our legacy fund on the student statements we send out at the beginning of the year. We appreciate the support of those that chose to donate, their gifts are helping to gradually build our fund.”
Now as the end of the school year rolls around, and Year 6 students are getting ready to leave Makaraka School for the last time, their parents may be thinking of some way to show appreciation to the school they love.
Making a donation to the Makaraka School Endowment Fund is a great way for families to give back and because the funds are invested in perpetuity (forever) their gift will keep supporting the school forever.