Past students encouraged to give back

Chris Lock (left), the first foundation donor to the John Paul College Alumni Fund, with school principal Patrick Walsh. Photo / Supplied

Donating to his former school's new fund was a great way to celebrate a milestone, Chris Lock thought.

The former John Paul College student has become the first foundation donor to the school's alumni fund.

Mr Lock, who now owns a printing business, left the school 10 years ago and said he was delighted to be able to give back in this way.

"I enjoyed my time at the college; one of the highlights was taking part in the Young Enterprise Scheme, which gave me the drive and offered scope for what was possible if I were to go into business.

"I think the alumni fund is a great idea and I particularly like the fact that it is perpetual, so the capital is retained forever."

He said he planned to make regular donations to the fund.

"Supporting the alumni fund seems like a great way to mark the important milestone of having left school 10 years ago."

The alumni fund was set up through the Geyser Community Foundation.

"The alumni fund is a special and powerful way in which students, past and present, their families, whanau, teachers and anyone else who has an interest in helping the school continue to develop can give back for its long-term benefit," said John Paul College principal Patrick Walsh.

Donations made to the endowment fund will be managed and invested by the Geyser Community Foundation on behalf of the college.

Income earned on the capital will be made available to the college for charitable purposes every year once the fund reaches a minimum of $50,000.

Mr Walsh said the annual income could be used in a number of ways for the benefit of students, such as providing scholarships and prizes for academic achievement, providing or improving resources and other facilities at the school, or protecting and improving its the physical and natural environment.

-Donations can be made on the John Paul College website, www.jpc.co.nz, or on the Geyser Foundation website, www.geysercf.org.nz.