IMPACT & INITIATIVES
Our three pillars — Equity, Excellence, and Wellbeing — work together to ensure every student can thrive. We promote Equity by removing financial and social barriers so all students have equal access to opportunities and resources.
Through Excellence, we invest in exceptional teaching, facilities, and programmes that go beyond standard funding to inspire achievement at the highest level.
Finally, our focus on Wellbeing nurtures students’ mental, physical, and social development, creating a supportive environment where every individual can reach their full potential.
OUR IMPACT
We want Mt Aspiring College to have world-class resources and capabilities to ensure every student is able to reach their full potential.
Since 2008 we have contributed over $600,000 to MAC, funding vital staff, equity support, scholarships and resources.
TARGET OF $250,000 FOR 2025
- Equity support for students to attend camps, buy uniforms and devices
- Specialist teachers for numeracy and literacy, extension and enrichment
- Educational psychologist to support students who have complex behavioural, learning and mental health needs
- Te Ūkaipō Scholarship, connecting a student to their Māori whakapapa
- Student sustainability and inclusivity initiatives
- Extra resources and support for students undertaking university level studies and/or scholarship exams
- Specialist training and development
- Upgrade outdoor pursuits equipment
Investing in success
Here are just a few of the ways MAC Foundation with the help of generous donors and stakeholders is making an impact for students at Mount Aspiring College.
Enhancing Student Wellbeing Through Onsite Psychological Support
With limited Ministry of Education psychological support available in Otago and Southland, MAC’s decision to appoint its own educational psychologist has dramatically improved responsiveness to students’ behavioural and learning needs. The onsite presence enables consistent support for students, direct collaboration with parents and teachers, and the development of tailored, evidence-based plans that promote positive outcomes for both individuals and classrooms as a whole.
The Te Ūkaipō Scholarship
The scholarship offers the opportunity for a student to visit their marae, which might be in any part of New Zealand. Often students at MAC find it hard to connect with their marae (due to the geographic isolation) and this scholarship sets an expectation that the student will connect with their iwi.
Extra Resources & Support
Over the years, donations from MAC Foundation have been used to provide equipment, enhancing facilities.
Revitalising school and community: The Mount Aspiring College Hostel Programme
The Mount Aspiring Hostel Programme is a coveted opportunity for Year 13 students from around New Zealand who aspire to achieve personal growth and development while making the most of all Wānaka offers. The Hostel Programme was initiated in the early 1990s and was the catalyst for the formation of the MAC Foundation. Today, the hostel building and the land on which it sits are owned, funded and maintained by MAC Foundation in perpetuity.
ESOL and Music Room
In support of Mount Aspiring College's commitment to investing in students' success, MAC Foundation funded the construction of a dedicated ESOL room, which later became the Music Room. Following the 2021 redevelopment of Mount Aspiring College, the building is now a residential rental property, providing a sustainable source of income that will continue supporting the Foundation's charitable purpose.
Donations
Since its inception, MAC Foundation has provided annual funding to Mount Aspiring College for various projects, including scholarships, sports equipment, library equipment, and landscaping. Following its reinvigoration in 2022, MAC Foundation intends to build on its financial base to grow donations and increase impact. In 2022, the school received a donation of $85,000 from MAC Foundation.
