| 113 ILC upgrade welcomed by students Hillcrest High’s Independent Learning Centre (ILC) upgrade includes specialist toilets and a kitchen space with benches of a height built for wheelchair users. Hillcrest High T T Virginia Wright COMMUNITY Hillcrest High is a thriving secondary school based in the suburb of the same name and servicing the wider Hamilton East area. Its roll of 1750 has grown steadily over the years, a testament to the quality of education and scope of opportunities it offers to all of its students. Principal Kelvin Whiting has been there for over 20 years, having returned to the place where he spent the first six years of his teaching career to take up the position in 2003. That was in 1981 and at the end of this year after 42 years of teaching Principal Whiting is leaving the school although not quite retiring. “I love the job – it’s fantastic. Great staff, great community, great kids and we’ve done a lot over those 20 years but now the school’s in great shape it’s an opportunity for someone new to come in and take over the helm,” says Principal Whiting. While Hillcrest High has benefited from many upgrades over the years, part of leaving the school in great shape includes the current work being done on the Independent Learning Centre (ILC) which is an important part of the school’s broader culture of diversity and inclusion. “We’ve got 51 ORR (Ongoing Renewable Resourcing) students altogether in our inclusive education faculty requiring extra help and support,” explains Principal Whiting. “These include the 17 wheelchair students in the Physical Assistance Centre (PAC) and the 37 students in the ILC for whose resourcing, including staffing, the school receives funding from the Ministry of Education. “ While the school had been wanting to upgrade the ILC for many years as the number of students needing its facilities grew, the money to do it had to come from somewhere. “You get allocated a certain money in your 10-year property plan and you’ve got to decide what to spend your money on: a new maths block, a new science block, careers centre, hospitality centre and so on,” says Principal Whiting. As demands increased on the resources in the ILC however, due to pressure from both in-zone and out-of-zone families, the need to upgrade the ILC became pressing. Money was made available thanks to the support of the Ministry of Education’s Hamilton Office, and the $2.8 million construction is due for “It’s going to be fantastic, and the staff and students so deserve it having made do with the old building for so long.” completion on the 20th of December. Impressive work by Mitchell Construction who have achieved the purpose-built centre in record time. “It’s going to be fantastic, and the staff and students so deserve it having made do with the old building for so long,” says Principal Whiting. With specialist toilets, a kitchen space with benches of a height built for wheelchair users, a parking area with the right sized turning bay for vans dropping students off, the design of the ILC has clearly benefited from years of making do with things that weren’t quite fit for purpose but which everyone knew how to make work. “You can imagine they’re looking forward to going from an older building to a brand new bespoke one that’s much larger. The facilities mean they’ll be able to deliver the programmes of learning in a much more effective way,” explains Principal Whiting. Not ready to retire and do nothing, knowing he’d ‘go nuts’ coming out of a job he describes affectionately as ‘full on’ Principal Whiting is heading to the Educational Review Office (ERO) to continue in-house the work Hillcrest High has been doing with them for the last couple of years as a leadership partner. “I’m sad to be leaving Hillcrest obviously, but I’m looking forward to the new role, I know it’s the right time all round.” With the new ILC ready for action next year the reputation built up over 20 years of stewardship from Principal Whiting looks set to live on under the incoming principal in 2024 and beyond. Plumbing | Drainlaying | Maintenance Ash Lowe (Director) 027 276 7794 quotes@completepg.co.nz PROJECT MANAGEMENT SPECIALISTS Proudly supporting Hillcrest High School as project manager to the New Independent Learning Centre 2023 Feel free to call to chat with Brent today on 021 832881 to see if Tectum Consulting can provide the service you need or help point you in the right direction. • Education • Hotel • Commercial Concept Joinery: Make and install Kitchens. A wide range of cabinets for bathrooms, schools, hospitals 52 Ellis Street Frankton, Hamilton 3204 Phone (07) 848 1020 | Mobile 027 490 3039 Email: barry@conceptjoinery.co.nz
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=