School counsellors
Te Awamutu Intermediate School has announced it will have two counsellors working at the school in 2024. They are Lian Smith, who is funded through Zion Church, and Grace van Grootel, who will arrive at the end of March from the Bethlehem Training Institute.
Funds available
Waipā community groups can now apply for funding to support their projects or events from the council’s Community Discretionary Fund. Cambridge Community Board has $29,595, Te Awamutu-Kihikihi Community Board $8452 and Pirongia ward committee $10,130. Community clubs, groups and organisations are eligible, with one-off projects and fundraising events prioritised. Applications close on March 1.
Medical case
Waikato University and the Ministry of Health have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to progress a business case for the country’s third medical school. The existing schools are at Auckland and Otago universities.
Vandals strike
In the past six months a cabbage tree and oak tree have been cut down, rose plants have been ripped out and over the weekend, 40 teucrium hedge plants were torn out in Te Awamutu’s War Memorial Park in cases of repeated vandalism. The park is a dedicated reserve to men and women of the area who served during World War II and to modern day.
Smaller classes
Te Awamutu Intermediate
A commitment from Te Awamutu Intermediate to reduce class sizes has resulted in the launch of an 18th classroom this year and the addition of three teachers – Paige Ellis, Charlotte Miller and Shania Jaunay.
New police
Waikato will get four of the 50 new constables who graduated at the end of last month – and one, Armond Onekawa, will be working in Te Awamutu. A total of 26 of the graduates are being assigned to stations in the upper half of the North Island.
Health warning
Health warnings for Waikato lakes, including Ngā Roto, remained in placed this week a new warning was issued last Friday following a significant rise in cyanobacteria levels at Hamilton’s Lake Rotoroa.
Children’s day
Te Awamutu Museum is celebrating Children’s Day on Sunday, March 3 with the return of its Tui & Tama’s Eco Expo. The free event highlights the work being done in the Waipā community to help native plants and animals thrive.
