Waimea Weekly
Affordable Funerals and Cremations We can provide every service and option, and leave you with memories of a lifetime of love. 03 544 4400 • www.wrfs.co.nz
Locally Owned and Operated
Wednesday 10 February 2016
Temporary home for school of music
“Totally Dependable” Page 16-17
Page 8
Page 24
Local man in action
Record rolls for Waimea schools
Simon Bloomberg
Tasman schools are continuing to grow with Waimea College running out of classrooms after a record 1555 students enrolled, up 20 from last year, while Garin College’s roll has increased from 490 to 505. Murchison Area School has also increased its starting roll from 120 last year to 133
this year, although Tapawera has declined “25 to 30 students over the last five years” to start with 192 students. Some primary schools are also growing with Brightwater starting with “over 280” pupils compared to “250 to 260” last year. Waimea College principal Scott Haines says their increasing roll means classrooms are at a premium, creating a nightmare for the staff organising student timetables.
Waimea has also had to turn away 43 students from outside their zone, resulting in some “very difficult discussions with their families”. “The real issue, for us, is we are fully at capacity in terms of our buildings,” Scott says. “It’s been a real challenge for our time-tablers to fit everyone in. “Our office staff tell me they had about that many inquiries again from families
living outside our zone. We would like to take them because they want to come to Waimea for good reasons, like their parents work in Richmond or they live just outside our zone, but we can’t. “I really feel for those students and their families. It’s difficult but we only get funding for our property budget based on the
SEE PAGE 2
In a wheelchair for 6km muddy adventure race Andrew Board A motorcycle accident in the late 80s left Nelson man David Trotter in a wheelchair with severe head injuries and struggling to speak. Improvements in strength and coordination have been slow, but David’s appetite for adventure has been anything but. He loves to skydive and in a few months he will take on one of the region’s toughest races, the 6km Wairau Warrior Obstacle Race. David has been going to Wairau Body Coaching Systems in the Wakatu Estate for seven years to help build strength and muscle, and last year watched the inaugural Wairau Warrior race at Happy Valley. After the race he said he wanted to climb over one of the A-frame obstacles. He couldn’t and his frustration
David Trotter, centre, will compete in the Wairau Warrior 6km race in April, along with his teammates from left; Simon Topp, Seija McIntosh, Jay Blazek and Greg Witika. Absent is Jesse Clifton. Photo: Andrew Board.
SEE PAGE 2
6 months - 3 years | Sessional & Fulltime Care | Mon - Fri 8am - 5pm
5 Chelsea Ave, Richmond Ph 544 1106 www.babyspace.co.nz Additional copies $1
100% locally owned and operated
www.nelsonlive.co.nz