| 133 T T Anne Boswell New classrooms to bring greater inclusivity The new build comprises two blocks, each with four classrooms. In addition to classrooms, each block will include bathrooms and break-out spaces to support different styles of learning. Te Kamo Intermediate: Arco Group COMMUNITY Te Kamo Intermediate is looking ahead to a fresh chapter, with two brand-new classroom blocks set to be completed in time for Term 2, 2026. The project, which will benefit the 700-student-strong school, comes after a challenging period. Four years ago, mould was found in one of the school’s old buildings. “Overnight, we were told we were not allowed to enter the rooms,” Te Kamo Intermediate Principal Kim Sloane says. “It was quite a shock to the system.” The result was a term of lessons for three classes in the school hall, before a move to prefabricated buildings at the back of the school field – a “temporary” measure that ended up lasting years. Plans for the rebuild began under the Labour Government, initially for open-plan, collaborative classroom spaces. Changes in government policy have since adjusted the design to feature glass doors between classrooms, allowing for both collaboration and more private, focused learning spaces. The new build comprises two blocks, each with four classrooms. In addition to classrooms, each block will include bathrooms and break-out spaces to support different styles of learning. Te Kamo Intermediate offers both mainstream and “character” classes, such as science, sport, bilingual, and keen learners’ programmes. “Our teaching programmes are tailored to the needs of emerging adolescents, offering challenge and variety, with opportunities differentiated for individual learners,” Kim says. “Obviously having nice new classrooms will be lovely, but more importantly, it will bring all the classrooms back into a common area, making the school more inclusive. The prefabs were located right at the back of the field, so the new build will mean no classes are isolated.” Construction has been led by Arco Construction, who Kim says have worked with minimal disruption to school life. “They even cut a hole in the fencing around the construction site so the kids can look in,” she says. Architect Simon Mandeno, of Mandeno Design Ltd, has also been closely involved in the project. • Education • Commercial • Hospitality • Carpet Tiles •Vinyl • Autex 0800 867 028 | www.modocommercial.co.nz • PAPERHANGING • WATERBLASTING • SPRAY TEXTURE • ANTI GRAFFITI • SPECIALIST FINISHES • WATERPROOFING • FIREPROOF COATINGS • ZOLATONE APPLICATION • TRADESMAN QUALITY • REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE PAINT APPLICATION SPECIALISTS WITH COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL & DOMESTIC PROJECTS DECORATING LTD 09 438 5337 admin@mcnabbdecorating.co.nz 2024/25 GOLD ECODECORATOR “Simon has been very supportive,” Kim says. “His children came through the school, so there’s a lovely connection there.” The school was even able to choose the colour schemes for the new buildings. “Each team has their own colour, so we chose a lovely blue accenting for one block, and a neutral colour for the other,” Kim says. After four years of disruption, anticipation is building for the new classroom blocks, with completion set for Term 2, 2026. FORTE.CO.NZ FORTÉ ON SITE BOOK AN ON-SITE VISIT
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