$30,000 Gala windfall for Pukerua Bay School

Pukerua Bay School’s annual gala has come up trumps again for the community netting $30,000 for the school’s coffers.

Principal Mary Jones says the generosity of the local community, and from those further afield that came to the gala, never ceases to amaze her.

“On the one hand I’m astonished that we have managed to make $30,000 but when I think about how many people flocked through the gates buying up large, listening to the entertainment and trying out all the fun activities, I’m not entirely surprised.”

Mrs Jones says this is a whole of school effort with the children and parents helping out and getting involved.

“We are a small school of 164 children and the annual gala really is the biggest thing that happens in the Bay every year. We all look forward to it and have a lot of fun being involved.

“This year we had even more activities than usual with horse rides, paintball, fairy and elf land, the bouncy castle, giant slide, reverse bungee and some small motorised cars.

“The fantastic weather helped - people stayed on and made the most of the day.

“The big money spinners this year included the book stall on over $3,000, bric-a-brac and sporting and electrical both on $1,800, toys on $1,500 and the silent auction which brought in more than $2,000,” says Mrs Jones.

“The support from all our sponsors was remarkable and means we have kept our costs to an absolute minimum. “

This year’s gala money will go towards ICT equipment for the school which the children can’t wait to get, says Mrs Jones.

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