School Start First Impressions Marlborough name with background line art

WHO WE ARE 

School Start First Impressions Marlborough works to reduce the impact of poverty on the education of Marlborough children. We have identified that a child’s 5th birthday and entry to school presents an impossible challenge to Marlborough families in financial crisis.

The cost of equipping a child for school can be financially prohibitive for Marlborough families in financial crisis. Significant financial pressure on their family can influence a child’s self-esteem, their experience of school, and their ability to focus on learning.

  Our initiative is designed to give Marlborough’s at-risk 5-year-olds the opportunity to commence school on an equal footing with their peers, enable them to embrace the challenge of school, focus on learning, and give them a chance to be the best that they can be.

We hope to help these children gain confidence and a sense of belonging as they move from the Ministry of Education’s early childhood curriculum principles, Te Whāriki, to the New Zealand curriculum.

Te Whāriki is underpinned by a vision for children who are competent and confident learners and communicators healthy in mind, body and spirit, secure in their sense of belonging and in the knowledge that they make a valued contribution to society.



- Ministry of Education

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THE CHARITY

SSFI Marlborough is a registered charity (CC57425) governed by three trustees who meet on a regular basis to run the charity. Our charity information, purpose, structure, officers details, trust deed, annual returns, and other documentation reside on the Charities NZ website www.charities.govt.nz. Our trustees and volunteers are unpaid. This ensures that every cent of the funding and donations that we receive is used to support Marlborough’s at-risk 5-year-olds. 

 Founded by the Addenbrooke Foundation in 2015, the initiative was originally developed in Auckland and continues to operate there under the name School Start First Impressions. In 2019 School Start First Impressions delivered their 1000th ‘5 Kitbox’ in Auckland and were featured in an article on TV1’s Seven Sharp. 

 In recognition of their highly impactful work, we have brought the SSFI model to our own community – Marlborough. 
School Start First Impressions Marlborough Chairperson Michelle Munro
Michelle Munro
Chairperson + Initiator of SSFI Marlborough branch

Lover of all things photography and kids. When I am not working you will find me enjoying my time with family and friends – especially if there's an antipasto platter involved!
Brenda Munro
Trustee Secretary + The lady behind all things organisational

Possible bargain shopping and crafting addiction for the Charity. Really enjoys meeting all the wonderful people supporting our cause. When not doing Charity work you will find me soaked up in a good crime series on telly.
School Start First Impressions Marlborough Trustee Secretary Brenda Munro
School Start First Impressions Marlborough Trustee Margaret Smith
Margaret Smith
Trustee + Great grammar checker

Lifetime of working with kids, loves supporting Federer at the tennis as well as reading and watching crime mysteries (must be a sister thing). When not working on the Charity you will likely find me travelling with my hubby Bob.