The Ultimate BIG Gift
What better way for three AFS students to show their gratitude to their host school, Taieri College, than leaving an 8 Tonnes of pure New Zealand in the form of a climbing rock.
Paris (Thailand) Mads (Denmark) and Isabella (Austria) decided to leave a present for their former classmates. Climbing structures were popular in all of their home countries but none of the three had seen one while in New Zealand. They all noted that the overseas climbing structures were all man made and decided that this would not work in the New Zealand context. They visited a quarry and found a natural, 8-tonne rock perfect for the job.
The School Council and Friends of Taieri College came on board and helped to fund this project. Local Playground manufacturer A J Grant, offered to manage the installation.
The rock was transported to Taieri College and local climbing experts directed its placement. They then added climbing holds to compliment the rocks natural ones and finally the job was done. Three AFS students gratitude was set in stone.
A playground to mark anniversary
Dunedin Mayor Peter Chin visited Otaru (North Japan) and officially gifted a playground commemorating the 25 year sister city relationship between the two cities.
The playground was designed and constructed by Dunedin playground manufacturer AJ Grant.
It is hoped that more pieces can be added to this playground as links between Dunedin and Otaru grow.