Children entering their first year of school across the Upper Clutha this term have been welcomed with free literacy packs, thanks to a Rotary Club of Wānaka initiative.

The project is designed to support children and their families at a crucial stage in learning, helping build strong foundations in reading, writing and early numeracy from the very beginning of their schooling.

“We are thrilled to be able to provide this new initiative for five-year-old children in the Upper Clutha region,” Rotary Club of Wānaka president Marie Fitchett said.

“Early literacy has a lifelong impact, and we hope these packs will give children and families a helpful start.”

Each literacy pack includes a reading folder, a story book, magnetic letters and numbers, a white magnetic board, and a parent information booklet. 

The packs also contain ideas to help families encourage early literacy and introduce basic financial literacy concepts at home.

Wānaka Primary School principal Rob Rush thanked the Rotary Club of Wānaka and praised the initiative’s focus on early learning.

“Laying solid foundations in early literacy is the key to future learning success,” he said.

“We are thrilled to have these packs for our five-year-old learners. 

“It means they have the resources to be able to develop their literacy knowledge at home with their parents and whānau.” 

The literacy packs were delivered to students last week.

Marie Fitchett said the initiative reflected the club’s commitment to supporting young people and strengthening communities.

The project received additional funding support from the wider Rotary District.

PHOTO: Rotary Club of Wānaka