Napier students’ creative playhouse wins award for decoration

Four Napier students have been awarded for their creative take on a children’s playhouse as part of this year’s BCITO Build-Ability Challenge.

Tamatea High School students Josh Stoddart, Huata Puhara, Tomas Knight and Anita Samountry have won the ‘Best Decorated Award’ from Dulux NZ for their themed playhouse. Twenty-four schools went head-to-head in the nationwide competition led by BCITO and supported by Dulux NZ. The teams were tasked with designing and building a playhouse to defined specifications, which will be gifted to local community groups.

Dulux NZ National Trade Stores manager Murray Gray said the judging panel was impressed with Tamatea High School’s attention to detail and creative use of colour.

“The students showed the correct painting processes to create a well-finished and beautiful playhouse.”

One side of the team’s playhouse is dedicated to a ‘drive-through store’ complete with a petrol pump, grocery store and pay station. The front is themed as a magical castle with cut out dragon characters adding “an extra look and feel to the final design”.

The school chose to donate its colourful creation to the children of Flaxmere-based kindergarten Morgan Edcare. Head teacher Paula Mihaka said the children were thrilled to receive the playhouse.

“The students listened to what we wanted and managed to get so many other ideas in to their design,” she said. “The walls provide a great deal of play and learning opportunities.” Dulux NZ is rewarding each Tamatea High School team member with a $50 Rebel Sports voucher and the school with $1000 worth of paint supplies.

Dulux Trade brand manager Lisa Maathuis said the company was thrilled to have been involved in the project.

“The construction industry is in need of more apprentices and the BCITO Build-Ability Challenge is a fantastic opportunity for young people considering their future to gain skills and experience in the sector,” she said.

For more information on the challenge visit www.buildability.co.nz.