The Whakamarama School August possum hunt will not only raise funds for one of the Bay of Plenty's oldest schools but entrants also have the chance to win prizes including $800 cash, a Waitomo family adventure weekend, and a rifle.

The first prize is $800 for the most possums per team. Second prize, the adventure package of a Waitomo Caves tour, accommodation and dinner at the Thirsty Weta Bar and Eatery is sponsored by Coast & Country.

Every team with at least five possums goes in the draw for a Marlin XT22 unthreaded rifle package, which normally sells for $399 for the rifle plus scope and rings. There will be spot prizes for categories including the dirtiest car, heaviest possum and more, and goody bags too.
Joerg Thamm of the school board says the possum hunt is more than an important fundraiser – it's also a chance for the wider community to do something positive for the environment by reducing possum numbers and to experience the hospitality of the rural school, which is about 20km from Tauranga.
Whakamarama School was established in 1914 and enjoys strong support from parents, who will be on hand to provide hot food and drinks at the Whakamarama Family Fun Day on Sunday August 4 when the possums will be tallied and prizes awards.
The day starts at 10 am and attractions include digger rides, go-kart course, horse riding, bouncy castle, silent auction with prizes of more than $3000 including kayak worth $600, wheel of fortune, lots of kids games, Maimai Cafe, home baking, sausage sizzle, fresh coffee and much more.

Facilities
'Whakamarama School may be a rural school but it has excellent facilities including extensive grounds, a rugby field, tennis court and cross country course, a solar heated swimming pool, technology room and library.
It currently has 42 pupils from Year 1 to 8. Ideally, we would like a role of 51, so we are able to run three classrooms with small numbers in each; and we want to encourage more families to consider enrolling their children at Whakamarama,” says Joerg.
'What I like about the school, as a parent and board member, is that students are encouraged to learn at their own level in individual subjects; and how involved families are in school events. The school's goals are to provide quality education which includes arts and sports in a structured, but fun environment, tailored to the individual child. Our students have consistently achieved above National Standards and do well when they go on to college.
'Principal Sue Waitai is the heart and soul of Whakamarama School which is an inclusive school with very friendly and social parents from all walks of life actively supporting the school. The possum hunt is an ideal chance for people to check out the school and see what a great place it is.”

Fires
Sue has been at the school for nine years and every morning in winter, the first task for her and fellow staff is to light the fires in the classrooms. 'Not many schools have fires today but our students love them and help with sourcing, stacking and bringing in firewood to keep the fires burning.”
There's a strong family atmosphere with older students helping younger ones and sharing games in the playgrounds.
Many of the pupils take part in early morning ‘rock band' music lessons in the music room, which has recently received a grant for $4000 worth of new instruments.
The school band will join other schools in a rock band event later in the year.
Whakamarama School, thanks to the support of a neighbouring farmer, has one of the best cross country courses around, and so plays host to inter-school cross country events each year.
It is also part of the Tall Poppies programme through which schools in the district with intermediate-age students combine for regular academic and sporting events for their senior students.

Technology
'Our school is very well equipped when it comes to technology, with ready access to computers which are part of our everyday learning programmes. When it comes to sports, everyone joins in. Some of our students join other school teams for weekend sports.”
To register for the Whakamarama School Possum Hunt phone 07 552 5204 or go to www.whakamarama.school.nz