Garston students use talents to raise funds for computers

Garston School is one of the prettiest in Southland with extensive native plantings, a friendship garden and an eco-hut - the next challenge for the northern most school in Southland is to fund a computer network.

And what better way to fundraise than to use the talent of the students as breaks in a quiz night at the local Athol hall. The idea sprang from the fertile imagination of principal Katherine O'Loughlin and proved a winner when the Athol hall was packed out last Friday to get the fundraising off to a flying start.

The children performed comic skits between quiz rounds with Southland Spirit of a Nation brand co-ordinator, Gerry Forde, acting as MC and auctioneer.

"The children were outstanding - confident, enjoying being on stage and really putting themselves out there for the audience," said Gerry Forde.

There was little time for anyone to celebrate before the fundraiser is repeated on 3 September with all new acts from the students.