| 61 COMMUNITY Sacred Heart College Much more than just an education The new library. T T Lindy Andrews The new Mission House at Lower Hutt’s Sacred Heart College is proving to be so much more than a beautiful education environment. Built by Maycroft Construction and opened in July this year, the legacy project is creating positive outcomes for students and teachers alike. It replaces the College’ s old and muchloved Mission House, which was declared seismically unsafe in 2017. Business Manager Vicky Thorby says the Robinson Architects-designed building now houses the administration team, the Business Manager, senior leadership, a library, a staffroom, and four classrooms as well as numerous other offices and staff workrooms. The college is particularly proud that architect Hannah Kelly is one of its alumni. Featuring a design approach that was both complex and detailed, the finished product reflects outstanding attention to detail and unwavering commitment on the part of Robinson Architects, Maycroft Construction and project management company IR Group. “The girls and the teachers absolutely love the new space,” Vicky says. “Because it’s such a beautiful space, the girls are really respectful of it. “We have also noticed positive changes in behaviour, and a new willingness to learn. The teachers also love it because it puts everything they need within reach.” The original building Mission House was the administration hub of the school, also providing additional classrooms. Seismic strengthening of the building would have been expensive and difficult at best. The then Mission Colleges Lower Hutt Trust Board took a courageous step forward, deciding to build an entirely new facility. That decision opened the potential to reimagine education at Sacred Heart College and deliver a new approach to quality learning environments. “When we learned that the Mission House was not earthquake safe, we had just three days evacuate,” Vicky recalls. “Prefab classrooms were trucked onto the netball courts, which meant we lost a lot of our sporting facilities. “This process also split up departments and teachers were not able to work in teams. Working towards a new Mission House gave us the opportunity to replan the school’ s layout.” The College’s day to day operations are now efficient and cohesive, with teachers able to collaborate closely once more. Designed in laminated timber, and providing “treehouse views” of the hills, the Mission House building is a visual and functional hub for the college. Vicky credits Maycroft Construction with a smooth transition to the new facility. Although due to open in July, it made sense to move in during the June holidays. NEBULITE WELLINGTON 5 Manchester Street, Paraparaumu 04 298 3736 | info@nebulitewellington.co.nz W I NDOW AND DOOR S O L U T I ONS ® We have a proud history of supplying our customers with high quality aluminium windows & doors. Total House, your reliable and professional insula�on contractor in Wellington & Auckland, expertly installed wall and ceiling insula�on at Sacred Heart College in Wellington. Here are some of the services we offer: √ Enhance your space with Total House Insula�on! Wall, ceiling & underfloor insula�on Moisture barrier installa�on Residen�al & commercial buildings Acous�c Insula�on √ √ √ √ √ New builds & retrofit Healthy Home Assessments Your home insula�on experts, commi�ed to giving you a warmer, drier and healthier home. You will love the difference! 0508 868 251 wel l ington@totalhouse.co.nz /auckland@totalhouse.co.nz TARARUA ROOFING LIMITED (04) 569 3074 office@tararuaroofing.co.nz LOWER HUTT MEMBER OF ROOFING ASSOCIATION N.Z “Maycroft was great at sticking to deadlines. Moving during term time would have been a nightmare,” she says. “We are really grateful for the way that they worked around us.” At 6.00am on Saturday 20 July 2024, the school gathered to mark the opening of the new Mission House, along with the blessing of the Kaitiaki gifted by Mana Whenua. The new build houses the library and English rooms. Stage Two of the project will see the old library transformed into a new art department with two new art rooms and a teachers’ workspace.
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