HP has announced the winners of its inaugural Rural Schools Competition, with the top prize of $10,000 worth of HP products and support going to Te Kura O Hata Maria School. It was one of more than 60 submissions. A panel of judges, including a Rural Women New Zealand representative, selected the five winning schools, who shared the $20,000 prize.

“We’re thrilled to be the winners,” said Principal Maraea Herbert-Pickering. “We’re a small school with limited resources, so having new technology will make a huge difference to the digital literacy of our students.”

The four other winning schools were:

• Kopuarahi School ($5,000 of HP products and support)
• Tuturumuri School ($2,500)
• Pokeno School ($1,250)
• Ruahine School ($1,250)

Members of the judging panel visited the finalists to interview the principal, meet with students and understand the technology needs of each school. HP and the principals are now working together to select the technology each will receive and educate the teaching staff on how to use it as an effective classroom tool.

HP Category Manager Victoria Mahan says HP gained real insight into the need for technology in rural schools through the competition.

“It was humbling to see the effort schools made to enter and to see the real need for technology in rural schools. Every school deserves access to technology to inspire students and support teachers.”