Casebrook Intermediate’s pupils took their ‘big idea’ from a belief that they do not have enough to do at weekends. The pupils, particularly the girls, said they do not have enough opportunities to socialise – other than going to the movies.

Their solution was to propose a dance for 11-15 year olds. Research into prices and prospective venues suggested that they would need between 70 and 80 children, paying $3 each, to break even. Locating suitable venues could pose a problem since few of the places available locally would be interested in running an alcohol-free event. However, the Casebrook pupils did think that advertising the event through local schools would be one way to minimise costs.

The Papanui-Shirley Community Board has agreed to work with the Casebrook pupils to develop the idea further and has assigned some funds to assist with out of school holiday programmes in the area.