Foundation

“We have arrived at 50 years old as a result of the great vision and stewardship of our former Governors.”

The St Paul’s Foundation was established in 2004 as the key fundraising arm for St Paul’s Collegiate School. It is wholly owned by the Trust Board of the school but encouraged to operate “independently” in its fundraising activities.

The purpose of a school endowment fund is to act as a buffer against declining sources of other income such as government grants and fees.

The vision of the Founders 50 years ago focused on sustaining, protecting and supporting the school well into the future. This was supported by both physical and financial commitment of these dedicated and visionary people. For the governors since and the current governors the focus has not changed.

In relative terms we are a young school with high aspirations which will continue to be reliant on the generosity of its donors.

The spirit of educational philanthropy is well developed in many other countries and becoming equally important in New Zealand. Successful educational organisations are supported by a strong and vibrant Foundation and the St Paul’s is no exception. The Foundation believes it is important to provide all of its donors with a high level of comfort that a proportion of their funds will be allocated to capital enhancement while some will be spent on immediate projects and scholarships.

To ensure that donations are distributed consistently and defensibly the Directors of the Foundation in consultation with the WACT Board have established an annual budget and a policy in which income will be allocated to the following categories:

• Management and Administration (5 –15%)
• Capital Growth (40% – 50%)
• Grants, scholarships and special projects (40% – 50%)

These allocations have been made in recognition of the desire to establish and grow a long term capital fund from donations, bequests or interest/dividends.

How can we each make a difference?
The Foundation seeks your support through the Annual Gifting Programme, Foundation Membership and the Bequest programme. The Annual Giving programme asks every member of the St Paul’s community to make a one off gift or a regular pledge contributed over a number of years. The Foundation considers no contribution is too small. “The Whole is Greater than the Sum of the a Parts”

Due to the generous support of The Douglas Charitable Trust, Mrs A.D. Paykel and Lady Fisher a new High Ropes Challenge Course has been installed at Tihoi.

This very impressive course was available for use in term two following the completion of a  5 day staff training course covering all the safety aspects, correct techniques for undertaking activities, rescue techniques and the ability to increase the challenge of each component. Both students and Staff have enjoyed the integration of this facility into the Tihoi programme.

Getting the students of Tihoi safely to their activities has always been uppermost in the Tihoi Directors’ minds and after some years of nursing the “Old Truck” along there was an audible sigh of relief and smiles all round as four vehicles were ceremoniously handed over to Tihoi Directors and a team of supporting neighbours.  In true community spirit two of the Tihoi neighbours had made themselves available come up to St Paul’s Campus and assist the Tihoi staff in driving the vehicles to Tihoi. A blessing was conveyed upon the vehicles and their drivers before leaving the campus at St Paul’s and the convoy looked spectacular as they drove down the drive.