Exams just got easier for district’s area school students

Colourful exam packs filled with bright stationery, energising lollies and a hefty dose of encouragement are supporting Hurunui’s area school students as they sit their exams.

A total of 159 packs have been given out at Cheviot Area School, Amuri Area School and Hurunui College by Hurunui District Council’s Hurunui Youth Programme (HYP), through funding from the Rātā Foundation.

Hayley Fisher from Amuri Area School says: “They were really helpful this year because I needed new highlighters for my exams.”

For fellow student Kody, it was stationery to use in their exams, as well as “really helpful study tips” that ticked the box. “Lollies also boost my morale!”

Council's Youth Worker Kimberley Spencer says the initiative aims to provide rangatahi with an additional boost of motivation just before their exams begin.

“Each kit includes a variety of resources aimed at promoting mental health and wellbeing. This consists of a call card for Youthline, a pack of sweets, HYP-branded highlighters, and a notebook complete with a pen, along with some valuable study tips from HYP — all in a clear ziplock bag ready to take into their exams.”

The packs are also a “gentle reminder” that those sitting exams are not alone in feeling stressed or anxious, and support networks like Youthline are there to support them, Spencer says.

With each pack whispering “You’ve got this”, these colourful bundles are a cheerful boost to pre-exam jitters. “It may take a considerable amount of time to package 159 exam packs, but the feedback we receive each year makes it all worthwhile,” Spencer says.