118 | Napier Boys’ High School: Atkin Construction St Josephs Dannevirke: Morris and Bailey COMMUNITY 124-126 DISRAELI STREET GISBORNE 9A ANGUS PLACE, ONEKAWA, NAPIER 80 LAKE TERRACE TAUPO WWW.SUPERCHILL.CO.NZ NAPIER BOYS HIGH SCHOOL We have over 30 years of combined knowledge and experience in manufacturing of Aluminium Windows and Doors from renovations through to high end commercial products. Our Windows and Doors are designed to make the most of what comes naturally, seeking to make the best use of light and the natural environment, while also providing the practival benefits of lower maintenance, longer life and better security Call in and see the team for your free measure and quote. 24 Hour On Call Service RURAL • DOMESTIC • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL Dannevirke - 06 374 9010 Pahiatua - 06 376 4477 Call or message Paul today on 027 374 9010 E: paulf@kinetic-electric.co.nz Homes, New Builds, Rentals, Ceiling, Walls & Underfloor Insulation 06 392 0200 027 972 1069 matesratesinsulation@hotmail.com Proudly Supporting St Josephs Dannevirke New chapter looms The refurbishment centres on Rooms 1 to 4 and the library. T T Kelly Deeks A positive impact T T Karen Phelps More than two decades after its classrooms were last fully refreshed, St Joseph’s School Dannevirke is entering a new chapter, with a major redevelopment designed to create modern, flexible, and engaging learning spaces for students and staff. The refurbishment is being delivered by Morris and Bailey, and centres on Rooms 1 to 4 and the library, completed in two stages. Principal Megan Seatter says the work will transform how the spaces are used, while preserving the school’s strong community feel. Stage 1, covering Rooms 1 and 2, is underway, while stage 2 will bring more extensive changes, including a full kitchen, and an art space that will connect into the classrooms, but also be accessible for the wider school. With the footprint unable to expand, planning has focused on making better use of existing areas. A large covered deck will be built between two classrooms, creating an all-weather outdoor learning zone. Additional decks will extend from other classrooms, allowing teachers and students to move outside more easily, while keeping school bags stored undercover. Napier Boys’ High School is in the midst of a major weather-tightness and remediation programme that is transforming large parts of its campus, with local contractor Atkins Construction undertaking the work across multiple stages while the school continues to operate as normal. As Napier Boys’ High School is the largest school in central Hawke’s Bay, property manager PC Groenewald says the Ministry of Education-initiated project is critical to ensuring its facilities are fit for purpose for decades ahead. “We had to wait a long time for this project to go ahead and we’ve been through so many changes since it started, it’s phenomenal what we’ve achieved,” he says. Founded more than 150 years ago, Napier Boys’ High School has long been regarded as one of the region’s leading schools, with a strong focus on academic achievement, sport, culture and pastoral care. As a member of the New Zealand Super Eight Schools group, it continues to play a significant role in boys’ education across Hawke’s Bay and the wider East Coast region. The school’s remediation programme dates back to around 2018, when initial investigations highlighted significant weather-tightness “That means more usable space inside and outside,” Megan says. “We are also redesigning corridor areas, so they work better and create more room for learning.” The redevelopment also recognises the continuing importance of a school library. While the library area is being reduced in size, it is being redesigned so the school can retain its collection and continue offering a quiet retreat for students. “Some children need calm spaces, especially those who find noise challenging,” Megan says. “The library provides that environment for them, as well as being somewhere children can go at wet lunch times, or when they are returning to school after being unwell.” During construction, the local parish has made the meeting room in their hall available so students can continue accessing library resources. Megan says the school community has shown patience over several years while funding priorities were directed elsewhere. “It has been well over 20 years since our buildings were redecorated. This full refurbishment has been needed for a number of years.” issues across ageing buildings, many of which were constructed during the 1990s. The issues necessitated extensive restoration work, with an estimated 65% of the school’s infrastructure requiring attention. Following detailed assessments the project was developed into a government-supported, four-stage remediation plan covering approximately 11 building blocks across the campus. The current focus of the remediation project is on the final block, the gymnasiums, which are being completed in two stages, with the first due for completion in October this year, and the second scheduled for 2027. PC says school operations have been maintained throughout the build through careful planning and re-organisation of classroom spaces. “When required, classes have been relocated within the campus, allowing construction teams to work safely within defined zones under strict Health & Safety management plans,” he says. “The relationship we have with Atkins Construction has been great, and we have found them very good to work with,” he says. With the project on track for completion later this year, PC says that once it is finished, students will enjoy learning in dry, healthy, fully insulated, and code-compliant learning environments across the campus. The current focus of the remediation project is on the final block.
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