44 | COMMUNITY Horowhenua College T T Sue Russell From 543 students to 1002 this year Niche are renowned for their ability to build transportable classrooms and commercial premises. A spike in school population in the past seven years has prompted new classroom spaces to accommodate students, teachers and resources at 85 year old Horowhenua College in Levin. “We’ve gone from a roll of 543 students in 2018 to 1002 this year. The magnitude of this shift has certainly been a surprise,” says school Principal Grant Congdon. He says the region is experiencing northern drift, given significant improvement in roading networks along with people from outside the lower North Island choosing to move to the town. “In terms of our existing classroom spaces we were on about 120% capacity and the Ministry of Education were very aware of the pressures this was causing on our property. It got to the point where we had classes in the hall, on the stage and in the foyer through 2024.” Grant says the school enjoys a very positive and supportive relationship with their local Ministry Property liaison, Shelley Govier, who was proactive with the process of determining how the lack of classroom facilities was addressed. “We were fortunate in that the school site had a clear space where new classrooms, built off-site could be situated. The decision by the Ministry to go with off-site manufacture buildings, from a company in The Hutt called Niche, was the right one for lots of reasons.” Niche are renowned for their ability to build transportable classrooms and commercial premises. In the case of the four classrooms built for Horowhenua College, all the wiring and other classroom infrastructures were built into the walls, meaning that when they were transported and craned into position it was simply a case of joining the building parts together. “These are quite sizeable classrooms at 12m x 7m and are fully self-contained with insulation, heat pump and access to fibre embedded in the structure,” Grant says. Joining Grant in the conversation with Business Central is Jono Johnson the school’s Campus Manager who agrees that the classrooms were an ideal solution to the looming accommodation crisis. “The buildings were lifted and placed on piles already built. The speed at which this occurred was pretty exciting for us all to see. Within a matter of a few weeks we had a whole new school area, fitted together including decks and access ways,” Jono says. The four classrooms were delivered in September last year, followed by two more in January this year, creating the Centre of Mathematics for the school. “One of the really great things about these classrooms is that they require next to no maintenance ongoing, given the very sound construction systems used in them. The 300 tonne crane from Titans brought on site to place each building in place was very impressive and did the job in no time and the classrooms are the latest Ministry standard transportable classroom.” Grant says feedback from teachers and students alike has been excellent. Six metre whiteboards are placed along one of the longer walls in each rectangular shaped classroom, meaning that teachers are close to the students creating an environment where interaction between students and teacher is supported. Trusted Acoustic & Carpet Specialists Since 1993 Preferred Autex installers in the Lower North Island, o ering expert supply, tting, and quantifying services for acoustic solutions. Explore our craftsmanship in the Gallery. www.s-graham-son.com Christine - 027 337 2788 Asked if there are any more plans for school development, Grant, who is about to take a term’s sabatical from the school, says ‘watch this space’. “Put it this way, we’re having a lot of very good conversations in the Board of Trustees at the moment as to how to apply some board funding to further develop this great school.” Built in 1940, Horowhenua College is the only school built in New Zealand during WWII, and one of two schools with a unique architecture style of the day. “The school community and town are very proud of the history of this school and what it represents today.” Wellington – Wairarapa - Manawatu With over 20+ years’ experience in the crane industry, we offer a “one stop shop” approach and aim to provide unparalleled and personalised services to our clients. Our experience covers: Major infrastructure projects Commercial steel erection Quarry maintenance General crane work Modular building installation Precast column and panel erection Excellent rigging services “Best Practice” health and safety procedures Contact: Richard (“Richie”) Pearce, Director E: richro.cranes@outlook.co.nz M: +64 27 250 8487
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