The swollen Omarama Stream cut a major bridge approach yesterday, stopping traffic on State Highway 8.
But neighbouring farmer Richard Subtil, of Omarama Station, who is treasurer of the school's board of trustees, offered light vehicles a 1km detour over his single-lane wooden farm bridge, as long as each driver made a $5 donation for the school.
"We take whatever opportunity [to raise funds] we can."
While the bridge was closed - for almost five hours - the school raised about $930.
The bridge approach was damaged about 9.20am yesterday when a slump 5m long and 2m wide was cut in one bridge approach by the flooded stream, which swirled behind bridge supports and erosion protection.
Traffic backed up on both sides of the bridge, on the town's southern boundary and Mr Subtil was approached about letting light traffic use Omarama Station's track and bridge.
The farmer spotted the opportunity to boost the school's funds and agreed.
"We are only a small country school and we want to offer a quality education.
We have to raise about $26,000 a year to provide that by paying teacher aides to assist [Government] funded staff.
Where we live, you have to be cheeky," Mr Subtil said.
"Most [drivers] were enthusiastic and happy to pay."
Some people donated more than $5, with one businessman heading to a meeting in Queenstown so pleased he gave the school $100.
The drivers of heavier vehicles, ranging from camper vans to trucks, had to wait for the bridge to reopen.
Omarama contractor Kevin Grant, who had been using his digger to cut a trench for new telecommunications cables at the approach to the bridge, helped repair the bridge approach while trucks brought fill from Otematata.
A single lane of the bridge reopened about 2.15pm.
