Sockburn Oscar group moves into new building

Sharlene Tierney and Brian Falgar at the rear with children of the Sockburn Oscar.

It might be second-hand but the Sockburn Oscar group has a new building that is twice as big as the old one.

It sits in the Sockburn Primary School grounds and replaced the former Wigram Scout den that was used as a temporary venue.

During 1998-99 a group of parents at the school tried to establish an after-school programme but failed for a variety of reasons.

Last year, the Advocacy Team at the Christchurch City Council’s Sockburn Service Centre carried out a study to assess the need for an out-of-school programme. Because of the strong enthusiasm by Sockburn parents and the school, a programme was established in the scout den in March.

The steering committee of parents obtained a grant of $10,000 from Work and Income NZ for set-up costs. Funding also came from SCAP (Strengthening Community Action Plan) and the OSCAR Network helped with specialist support.

A building was bought and relocated on the school grounds. It had to await the connection of services but once that was done the 20 children with supervisor, Brian Falgar, and assistant, Sharlene Tierney, moved in.