Te Puna School pupils are hoping their arty approach to fundraising will pull together thousands of dollars for school upgrades.

Principal Neil Towersey says the school's second art auction, on September 25, will see the children's artwork put under the hammer in a bid to raise the $8000 needed for the revamp of their 15sqm sand pit.

Te Puna School pupil Caitlin Abbott putting the finishing touches on her pairing –Lillies.

Neil says the auction will feature a ‘wearable arts extravaganza' by Year 7-8 pupils, calendars of the school's photography competition finalists, as well as masterpieces donated by Tauranga and national artists, including Susan Worthington, Peter Panyocksi and Lois Isaacs.

'Each class has focused on a New Zealand artist,” says Neil.

'There's some really cool Don Binney inspired art, some fantastic Tanya McCabe catsand some really neat work inspired by NZ artists.”

Neil says the auction night is an adult social evening for parents to purchase or bid on their children's artwork.

Arts teacher Donelle Shilling says there will be some great bargains for buyers of some 'fantastic” pieces of NZ art.

'Equally it will be an opportunity for art lovers to discover new and emerging local artists, many of whom have also donated their pieces to help the school.”

The event is at Te Puna School hall on Thursday, September 25, from 6.30pm. Bar and nibbles available.

Entry is free, although a gold coin koha is asked to help cover costs. To attend, purchase or exhibit at the auction, contact Donelle at donelles@tepuna.school.nz

Te Puna School pupil Renee with her Tanya McCabe cat.