122 | Positive moves ahead for Kaitaia College A new gymnasium is also part of the development on-site. COMMUNITY Kaitaia College T T Sue Russell “We have a significant number of staff here who attended this school as students. They’re very dedicated, and so is the wider community that supports us in so many ways. It’s very much a school whanau and very much a part of Kaitaia.” There’s an air of anticipation growing among staff, students and the wider community as Kaitaia College embarks on further development enshrined in a 10year master plan, currently before the Ministry of Education for final sign-off. Principal for the past five years, Louise Anaru, says once new building projects get underway, they will bring lasting and very real benefits to the approximately 1000 students attending Kaitaia College, and to the wider community it feels very much a part of. “Two years ago, our Māori Department facilities were redesigned and refurbished. “This school is home to a bi-lingual unit, and we now proudly have a new carving room. “There have been great achievement rates experienced. The formal opening will be at Matariki,” Louise says. Under design at the moment is a new Arts Centre catering for students in the visual, performance, dance and drama arts, and providing learnings and experiences to equip them to pursue these fields after leaving school, should they wish. A new gymnasium is also part of= the development on-site.This will provide full basketball courts for the sport, which is very popular up north. “This is our first priority, as the community has been asking for one for 30 years,” Louise says. Partnerships with Sport Northland’s ‘Active As’ programme has led to opportunities for volleyball and table tennis to be offered to students through existing sporting organisations. The school’s Construction Academy is also growing. Louise says. “That’s been very exciting to see evolve. This year, we will be building a panel home, with the hope of contributing solutions for the lack of good housing in our region. We’re hoping to forge a relationship with Kainga Ora through this initiative.” And as if all this development wasn’t enough, the school has just put in an application with the Ministry of Education for a teen-parent unit, something Louise says will make a significant difference to achievement potential for some students. “We’re also growing a hospitality department, and a facility for international students. Our master plan is all about ensuring the learning environments are modern and appealing for staff and students to work in.” Another focus is to upgrade the outdoor spaces to encourage those areas to become learning environments, linking more accessibly to classroom spaces. “We’ve also been partnering with the University of Waikato, who are delivering teaching From expert Project Management to innovative Civil & Structural Design, comprehensive Planning, and accurate Quantity Surveying - we deliver end-to-end consultancy services tailored to bring your projects to life with excellence and reliability. Proudly supporting the Kaitāia College improvements. Stellar Projects, your Trusted Northland Partner for Complete Civic Infrastructure Solutions. NORTHLAND OFFICE: Level 1, 2 James Street Whangārei 0110 For more info go to stellarprojects.co.nz or scan the QR code. programmes to our classroom support staff, with the view of them eventually gaining teaching qualifications. “That’s something that the staff have really seized on as an opportunity to grow professionally.” It’s the third year the school has interfaced with the university, and Louise says that only benefits will come from this distance learning programme. “It means our support staff in classes can continue to work and earn while eventually becoming fully qualified to teach themselves.” Louise says Kaitaia College has always been very much a community school. “We have a significant number of staff here who attended this school as students. “They’re very dedicated, and so is the wider community that supports us in so many ways. It’s very much a school whanau and very much a part of Kaitaia.” Louise Anaru
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