Kristin School

Our very own “Good Sort” Pippa Plummer

At Kristin, every Year 10 student embarks on an extended Community Project focused on giving back to the community by offering time and service.

Four years ago, Pippa Plummer began a Community Project that would have been enormous for anyone, let alone a 14-yearold. Pippa launched a Warkworth branch of a nationwide charity called Good Bitches Baking, a network of people who show kindness to those in their communities going through tough times by baking them delicious treats. Pippa heard an advertisement for Good Bitches Baking on the radio and thought it was the perfect project for someone who loved baking and wanted to connect with others.

Four years later and now a Prefect at Kristin, Pippa's role has changed a little and she now has a support 'volunteer' helping her coordinate the monthly roster of volunteer bakers and drivers, thanks to the growth of her project.

Pippa Plummer.

Pippa said she was initially "pretty terrified" but received a lot of support from the Good Bitches national office. Her charity branch distributed its first baking efforts to the Warkworth Wellsford Hospice. Four years later and now a Prefect at Kristin, Pippa's role has changed a little and she now has a support 'volunteer' helping her coordinate the monthly roster of volunteer bakers and drivers, thanks to the growth of her project.

Over the last four years, Pippa’s efforts have resulted in "362 boxes or 7,240 'moments of sweetness' in the community. Each box is valued at $92.50 in terms of volunteer time, ingredients and fuel. That's a volunteer contribution of $33,485 to the social economy of Warkworth during that time”.

When asked what drives her commitment, Pippa says, “It's really heart-warming and uplifting to see the impact on both the people receiving the baking and also the volunteers too. It creates a strong sense of community, and I feel grateful to work with a diverse range of amazing volunteers with similar values."

Recently Pippa extended her effort to the Kristin School community. Her initiative, 'Dessert Doves', provides baking for families experiencing challenging times, working alongside our Food Angels, who offer savoury meals.

In her last year of secondary school, Pippa says she may have to give up her position while at university but will always be a "Good Bitch at heart". We are confident she will return to the Good Bitches as soon as she has her own kitchen!

If you'd like to learn more about Good Bitches Baking, or become a volunteer, visit www.gbb.org.nz

Lucia Amos and Nikolina Stulich. Gemma Dalton and Allie Brebner.

Rebuilding a forest... one plant at a time

Three of Kristin’s Year 8 classes visited Hosking Reserve in Albany, where we planted some native trees and grasses to help rebuild a forest. This is great for wildlife, and every little step counts when it comes to conservation! We planted around 1,400 trees and grasses, which is amazing!

We all really enjoyed it because it gave us the opportunity to get out into the community and care for our environment, as well as completing some William Pike service hours. For the William Pike Challenge, Year 8s must complete 20 hours of community service and 20 hours of a passion project. We are very grateful to everyone who helped organise this experience! — Written by Bella Hales

Wheelchair basketball

Year 10 Sport Studies students are this term doing a unit on diversity in sport. Here the students explore all elements of diversity from disability, gender, sexism, race and culture, looking at the elements from these that contribute to society and sport related events.

A group from Parafed Auckland are conducting workshops with each class, focusing on wheelchair basketball. This gives the students an opportunity to experience and explore not only what it is like to be in a wheelchair but also to be actively involved playing sport. The students thoroughly enjoyed this eye-opening opportunity, taking much away from the day.

Kristin Students Wheelchair Basketball.

Endangered species planted at Kristin

Epilobium hirtigerum isn't a species you may recognise. Its "common" name, the Hairy Willow Herb, isn't that common either. Why? It's a critically threatened native plant and is as rare as the kakapo.

On Thursday our Roots and Shoots tree planting club was given the privilege of planting 12 in our school Lucas Creek bush area. Derek from Kaipatiki Project donated the plants to us last year, as they were rescued from a development project in Hobsonville Point. We've been watering and caring for them ever since.

Now that planting season is upon us, students loved the opportunity to 'release' these special plants into our school bush area. We'll do our best to help them thrive at Kristin. However, it would seem they are highly 'temperamental' – hence the endangered status... we'll be crossing our fingers!