Obstacle Courses, Laughter, and Learning at Kenakena School

At Volunteer Kāpiti, we love seeing the joy and connection that volunteering brings to our community! A recent visit to Kenakena School in Paraparaumu Beach highlighted how powerful a small commitment can be.

We spent the morning at Kenakena School’s PMP (Perceptual Motor Programme) class. A hands-on programme designed to build motor skills, perceptions and confidence in new entrants through movement-based learning. Think balancing beams, throwing games, crawling challenges and a whole lot of fun!

The room was a whirlwind of energetic tamariki (children) and smiling volunteers. Glenis, one of the lovely volunteers, has been helping for the past 5 years shared her experience:

“It’s not a huge time commitment (1.5 hours per day for up to 3 days a week) but it’s well worth the time spent as the children love the variety of activities and challenges and the staff and other volunteers are friendly and welcoming. I really enjoy getting to know the 5- and 6-year-olds, and seeing them gain confidence and master new skills is very rewarding for them, and for me. ”

This kind of impact is what volunteering is all about: simple acts of time and kindness that help others thrive. Whether it's supporting physical development or offering a steady presence in a child’s learning journey, volunteers like Glenis and the team at Kenakena School are making a real difference!

Want to know how get involved? Check out the volunteer role here