NEWS RELEASE: XOtaki College Foundation Trust, 2 July 2014

College Alumni Trust established

A trust has been established to help Otaki College provide greater learning opportunities for its students, and to globally connect all former students through an alumni association. Continued below...

Back: Fraser Carson, Max Lutz, Ian Carson, Ron Gibbard.
Front: Andy Fraser, Stuart Pritchard, Kim Cook. Absent: Ian McMillan, and Janice Brown.

The XOtaki College Foundation Trust was formally established in June with trustees who are either former students or who have a strong connection to the college. They are chairperson Stuart Pritchard, deputy chairperson Ron Gibbard, secretary Kim Cook, treasurer Ian McMillan, Otaki College principal Andy Fraser, Max Lutz, Fraser Carson, Ian Carson and Janice Brown.

Stuart says the trust will be working to support the college with scholarships and assistance with projects that will benefit students well into the future.

We have already secured the installation of a solar energy panel system to reduce the college's energy cost, which is releasing funds for future scholarships,” he says. “We also have former students who wish to provide scholarships that will give current students a head-start in their careers.”

Meantime, a new website has been set up that not only provides information about the trust, but also shows past pupils how they can connect to the college and each other. The site at www.xotaki.org.nz is already building a database, plus a collection of articles and past college photographs. Former students and staff are encouraged to contribute with their own stories and to identify unknown photographs.

Principal Andy Fraser says the trust is an exciting initiative for the college. When I became principal a couple of years ago, I thought it would be great to have a trust that would support the college,” Andy says. “Now it’s happened I can see all sorts of opportunities to create an even better environment for our students, and to establish a strong connection for our past students. "I urge anyone who’s been associated with the school to go to the website and register so they can keep in touch. We’d also love to hear from anyone who can offer some assistance, financially or in any other way, to ensure XOtaki is a success."

ENDS