Due to requests from schools, HP has extended the deadline for entries into its Rural Schools Competition.

Entries must now be in by June 15. So, if you’re a school that thought you didn’t have time to enter … you do now.

The competition is in its second year and gives rural primary schools the chance to win a share of $20,000 worth of HP products and support. It’s again partnering with Rural Women New Zealand.

HP Category Manager Victoria Mahan says last year’s entries all put a very strong case forward about how their school would benefit from winning the competition.

“The five winning schools were highly focused on how their prize could transform students learning outcomes. It was an easy decision to run this competition again,” she said. “Children all over New Zealand must be equipped to live, play and work in an online world. This competition is one way that HP can contribute.”

Lisa Malones, ex-principal of Tuturumuri School, says being one of the winning schools last year changed the dynamic in her classroom.

“There was something so powerful about our students winning the competition. They weren’t given it, they won it and it meant that as soon as the technology arrived the students took ownership of it and started using it.”

Part of the programme for HP will be working with the winning schools to determine their unique technology requirements – rather than a pre-determined package of devices. Five schools will be awarded the technology grants for HP product and training support, as follows:

• 1st place: $10,000
• 2nd place: $5,000
• 3rd place: $2,500
• 4th and 5th place: $1,250

Rural primary schools throughout the country, with less than 300 students, are eligible to enter the competition.

For more go to hp.co.nz/ruralcompetition