126 | COMMUNITY Tūora Fendalton School/HRS Construction T T Kelly Deeks Second stage of rebuild well underway Tūora Fendalton School is now in the second phase of its repair rebuild programme after the Canterbury earthquakes. There may be new classrooms and a new name, but Fendalton Primary School hasn’t forgotten its rich history, which is set to be marked by its new facilities following its cultural narrative. Now known as Tūora Fendalton School, this is one of Christchurch’s original schools and was established in 1875. Rebuilt with new sun facing classrooms, wide opening front doors, and large windows in 1924 after being closed during the Spanish flu epidemic, the school was renamed Fendalton Open Air School in 1963. Its new name Tūora was gifted by Mana Whenua. Translating into English as wellbeing, the new name reflects both the history of the school and the land it sits upon. “This area was forest with plenty of streams and waterways and while Māori didn’t settle here, they would rest and replenish here as they travelled through the area,” says Tūora Fendalton School principal Raewyn Saunders. “Rebuilt for the Spanish flu in the 1920s, 100 years later we’re doing it all again. We’ve got a very special location throughout history, and now into the future for learning and wellbeing.” Tūora Fendalton School is now in the second phase of its repair rebuild programme after the Canterbury earthquakes. A new junior school, junior playground, and a multi-purpose building have already been delivered by main contractor HRS Construction, five more classrooms have been recently demolished and two of four heritage classrooms cordoned off for restoration. Work is now underway on a new middle school for years three and four, with expected completion February 2025. It has been a long journey but Raewyn says from the beginning, the school community wanted its new spaces to be flexible, allowing for collaboration as well as separation. “We’ve visited other schools, we’ve talked to other principals, we’ve listened to our community, and we’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. There has been lots of consultation as part of this process to get a good outcome for everyone.” And a good outcome is in sight. This redevelopment and the staff of Tūora Fendalton School have followed the post-earthquake research of University of Canterbury child health researcher Associate Professor Kathleen Liberty on the exposure to prolonged stress disrupting the development of the brains and neurological systems of children. Kathleen “Subtle colours, high-quality acoustics, and versatile storage systems are just one part of our journey around this philosophy.” has developed a comprehensive school-wide approach that focuses on calming the environment and reducing stressors for children. “We’ve created spaces with a real calmness,” Raewyn says. “Subtle colours, high-quality acoustics, and versatile storage systems are just one part of our journey around this philosophy. We have set an expectation about how we’re going to use these new buildings to achieve the best outcomes for learners.” Teachers in the new junior block are already reporting being less fatigued. A stunning new junior playgound also adheres to this philosophy. Natural materials and a subdued colour pallette have been used to create a very special place which captures the story of Tūora Fendalton School. Named after the indigenous plant Mingimingi, which protects its leaves and berries within its branches, this playground has a circuit of activities around its outer edge surrounding other activities in the middle. The junior block has been named Pikopiko after the native fern found in the lower forest canopy. As the middle and senior blocks are built, they will be named for other parts of the forest canopy. Raewyn and the school community is looking forward to completion next year in time for Tūora Fendalton School’s 150th jubilee celebration in October 2025.
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