South Makirikiri School Rippa Rugby players in their new sports uniforms. Photo / Supplied
It was out with the old and in with the new when South Makirikiri School upgraded their sports uniforms recently.
Gone is the blue and green, replaced by a new uniform that is blue and white.
Principal Greg Allan said they wanted to make them more appealing.
"We needed to bring the uniform to the 21st century probably, to make it more visible and make the colours more appealing to everyone.
"We also wanted to make them better fit the kids as well."
The "friends of the school" parent group at South Makirikiri put on various cooking-themed fundraisers, including an evening with Nigel Latta to secure the necessary funds.
Following that, one of the parents had the idea of approaching the Freemasons, and Masonic Lodge treasurer Graeme Hill was more than willing to take the proposal on board.
Hill talked to committee members and together they decided they could offer South Makirikiri School $500.
"The students were stoked. I invited Graeme down to present it to the kids that were in their sports gear playing Rippa Rugby," Allan said.
"Anything they get from someone who has come to present it to them, they love it. And to put that donation into context, that would buy netball uniforms for a whole team."
South Makirikiri School students played well in their Rippa Rugby tournament in Marton and qualified for the Wanganui Rippa Rugby Championship at Springvale Park on June 5.
Hill said the extra funding would replenish their sports uniform costs, which was necessary because more and more students were playing sport.
"The kids are more visible out there in their new gear and they like representing the school, which makes more kids want to participate.
"That's a real positive. If the kids look good and feel good in what they're wearing, more want to get involved."
The multi-functional building includes a gallery, library and isite.