IMPACT PROJECT
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. Often it is awarded to a student who has shown growth and/or leadership in Te Ao Maori, and who has not got a connection to their marae. It can be the start of making connections (whanaungatanga), and reconnecting with an important part of their identity.
More impact projects
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.
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.
