Richmond School students have managed to raise more than $2000 for the Nelson Tasman Cancer Society after its student council facilitated a jam-packed Daffodil Day event.
Year 6 pupil Sophia Colville, who was elected as the student council president this year, and Blake Canning, Year 5, are just two of the 24 students involved in the school’s student council.
The council take the lead on fun days and fundraisers held at school. They also conduct surveys, making sure student’s voices are heard, and even communicate with the Tasman District Council regarding road safety, car parking, and road closures.
In recognition of the considerable amount raised at the event, Victoria Sharp from the Cancer Society presented them with a certificate of recognition and a Kōwhai tree to remember the yellow fundraiser.
“Together we raised $2080 which is a lot,” Blake says, beaming with pride.
To raise money, they had a range of Cancer Society items available to purchase for a donation, a cupcake sale, face painting, a gold coin trail that formed a daffodil picture, a lunchtime disco, and a colouring competition.
Counting of the money raised is a task undertaken by the student council, which utilises mathematical skills as well as offers students the opportunity to deal with actual cash.
Sophia, who successfully ran for the student council’s president seat earlier this year against five other students, says that the best thing about council for her is speaking in front of the whole school - 530 students, and learning to make hard decisions such as picking the final winner of the colouring competition - which are all valuable life skills.
“It’s my last year here so I want to try and do as much as I can,” she says.
Blake says that he enjoys being a leader and helping others, which is why he has been part of the student council for three years.
