Hillcrest alumni launch Fund for their school

ABOVE: A scene from Hillcrest High School's production of The Scarlet Pimpernel in 2021.

When the Waikato Symphony Orchestra played at the recent Hamilton Arts Festival, roughly a third of the musicians on stage were former students of one local secondary school.

Hillcrest High School is well known for producing such artistic graduates, reflecting its holistic approach to education, which encourages students to try things out and become successful all-rounders. The second largest school in the city, with 1800 students and 79 ethnicities, its goal is “to educate and develop young people of whom our community will be proud”.

Brian Winter enjoyed his schooling experience there and is involved with the Hillcrest High School Alumni and Community Society, which has now established a philanthropic investment fund at Momentum Waikato – the Hillcrest High School Future Fund.

“What I loved about Hillcrest High is that you could give anything a go and find out how you fit in,” says Brian.

“It is a place where you have opportunities to pursue your academic, sporting, cultural or artistic aspirations. Students choose their pathways, without needing to stick to a specific one as they move through the school.”

The arts are popular and well practised at Hillcrest High, but its students excel across a range of fields.

“I have vivid memories of the length of the sporting list, you were able to choose from lots of different sports, which really allowed students to try things out and grow in the process.

“When I was in Year 10, there were Year 13 students who took us to camp, who wanted to lead, so the teachers facilitated that and parents weren’t needed.

“The Drama department runs performances for every level of the school every year. The school choir has toured Asia.

“Hillcrest High is a good all-round school, where teachers show empathy for the students, there is a strong community around it, and you see its values in action.”

Brian initiated discussions with Momentum Waikato about setting an endowment fund for the school.

“Like all state schools, Hillcrest High depends on Government funding, and it does a great job with what it gets. We wanted to create an additional funding stream that will provide greater financial security that will ensure it can continue to provide its great specific projects and programs.”

He anticipates the new Fund will in time support the building of new school facilities and provide resources such as devices, teaching aids and specialist equipment.

Principal Christine Williams welcomes the establishment of the Hillcrest High School Fund.

“I am really thrilled to be supported by Momentum Waikato, as through their new Fund we will be able to achieve our goal of creating an environment that provides opportunities for our students to flourish.” 

Over time the Fund will grow through donations, bequests and market returns to the point that the annual investment income it provides can actively support the school’s aspirations, the current one being to build a new Performing Arts Centre.

“We are known for being into the arts, but we need to invest in the facilities, so that we continue to attract students who want to be performers and artists,” says Christine.

Janice Lapwood, Momentum Waikato’s General Manager Endowments, welcomed the new Hillcrest High School Future Fund.

“Brian and his fellow school alumni have recognised that setting up a philanthropic investment fund is a great way for them to provide meaningful and ongoing support for the secondary school that was a great springboard into their lives and careers.

“The Hillcrest High School Future Fund is a legacy endowment that will grow through gifts-in-Wills, donations and even potentially the transfer of existing trusts. Momentum can also manage direct ‘pass through’ donations when the school is fundraising for its projects.

“We’re looking forward to seeing what can be achieved in the years ahead,” says Janice.

Anyone who attended or worked at Hillcrest High or otherwise supports it as a great school in their community, is invited to donate towards the Hillcrest High School Future Fund via momentumwaikato.nz/hillcresthighschoolfuturefund.