For the second year running, students from Nelson College, Nelson College for Girls, Garin College and Waimea College joined forces to plan and operate the Combined Secondary School Ball Op Shop in central Nelson.
Through Enviroschools, an across-secondary-school group of rangatahi environment leaders has been established. The group meets on average once a month to discuss opportunities for community-based projects. They were keen to build on the success of last year’s Ball Op Shop, where more than 200 ball outfits were sold to students preparing for their school balls.
Located on Trafalgar Street in the former Body Shop premises, the Ball Op Shop gives students a practical and affordable way to prepare for their school ball while also supporting a more sustainable approach to fashion.
Students from all the schools involved setting up the Ball Op Shop on Friday evening, the day before it opened
The initiative encourages students and families to recycle and repurpose ball clothing, helping reduce the amount of clothing sent to landfills. At the same time, it helps lower the cost of attending a school ball by making formalwear and accessories more accessible to students.
The project is strongly community-based, with local charity shops donating ball clothing for the Op Shop to sell and members of the public also contributing generously. Students would like the proceeds from the Ball Op Shop to go to Kai Rescue and to support their school environment groups to continue their sustainable mahi.
Rachel Boyack, local Labour MP, with 2 lead Enviroschool students from Nelson College and Nelson College for Girls, cutting the ribbon to officially open the shop
Staff from Textile ResQ fitting a dress for a student
Textile ResQ, a local charity organisation, is also supporting the project by offering free fittings and mending for clothes bought from the Ball Op Shop, helping students feel confident and comfortable in their outfits.
By working together across schools, the students are showing leadership, teamwork and community spirit. The Combined Secondary School Ball Op Shop is a great example of young people taking action to make a special event more affordable, inclusive and environmentally responsible.
Lots of keen customers browsing through options in the shop
They even made the Top South Now news.
Shout out to Make/Shift Spaces, who work with artists, creatives, community and special interest groups to fill spaces with vibrant installations and activity. They helped facilitate the installation of the pop up Op Shop. Special thanks also to the GB Skeggs Family Trust who provided the shop space at no cost.
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