| 137 Mangawhai Education Trust The opening of Mangawhai Hills College represents a significant milestone for the growing coastal town, and demonstrates the power of community collaboration and business partnerships. COMMUNITY “symbiotic relationship”, for example with employers that rely on retaining skilled workers in the area. “The school helps keep people here by giving a good schooling option,” she says. “We have had a lot of support from the local community, and we couldn’t have achieved this without them. For example, we’ve had planning services provided pro bono through Barker & Associates. Bunnings are donating shade sails for the school and are helping us with a garden-to-table programme.” To expedite the opening, the trust opted for modular buildings constructed off-site by Keith Hay Homes. The initial facilities include a two-classroom building with capacity for 40 students, plus administrative facilities, with the ability to expand as the student population grows. The school will begin with years 7-9, following the internationally recognised IGCSE curriculum. A partnership with Crimson Global Academy will enable the school to offer science classes online during the school day, expanding the range of subjects available to students, despite its initial small size. Jill says the curriculum will be enriched through collaborations with local volunteer groups, including The Shorebirds Trust and Mangawhai Museum, ensuring students develop strong connections with their community while learning. The school aims to maintain a teacher-to-student ratio of 1:20, and has experienced no difficulty attracting teaching staff, with regular approaches from teachers eager to join the project. Set at $16,000 per annum, the tuition fees will be reinvested entirely into the school’s development, reflecting its not-for-profit status. Jill says the trust has secured an agreement to purchase a larger piece of land within Mangawhai Hills for relocation in five to seven years, ensuring room for future growth. “It’s a case of build it and they will come. There is certainly a lot of interest out there and it’s very exciting to see it come to fruition. Proud to be supporting the Mangawhai Community lsg.co.nz 0508 476 227 sales@lsg.co.nz Barker & Associates specialists in all aspects of planning and design barker.co.nz 09 375 0900 plan@barker.co.nz Kerikeri | Whangārei | Warkworth | Auckland | Hamilton | Cambridge | Tauranga | Havelock North | Wellington | Christchurch | Wānaka & Queenstown Our services include: • Resource consent applications • Notices of requirement and outline plans • Urban design • Landscape architecture • Plan changes and submissions • Master planning • Evidence for Council and Environment Court hearings • Iwi consultation and joint management agreements • Third party liaison: Councils, Heritage New Zealand, NZTA
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