116 | COMMUNITY Alexandra Primary School: Breen Construction T T Alexia Anderson New buildings, new chapter for school The redevelopment is a welcome milestone for a school that has had to remain agile while navigating space constraints, she says. A major redevelopment at Alexandra Primary School is reshaping not just the school’s physical footprint, but also the way it delivers learning for future generations. At the centre of the school’s transformation is a new, multi-purpose facility named Hinerakimārie. Hinerakimārie is a beautiful whare, described by principal Fiona Mackley as the “ngākau” or “heart” of the school. Officially opened on May 13, the whare has quickly become a vibrant hub for both learning and connection, featuring a school hall, library, kitchen, laundry, and bathroom facilities. It is one of several stages in a long-term redevelopment led by the Ministry of Education, with Christchurch-based BCN Architects behind the design, and Central Otago’s Breen Construction taking charge of the build. The original buildings, some dating back to the 1950s and 1970s, have gradually been replaced over the past decade to better reflect the needs of a modern, inclusive school environment. While the project has had its share of delays and design revisions, Fiona says the outcome was worth the wait and was now starting to be enjoyed by the wider school community. Until now, there had been no school library since about 2012, and assemblies had been held outside in all weathers. That changed when Hinerakimārie opened. The new facility, inspired by the Dunstan Kāhui Ako, a collaborative education network in Central Otago, has already hosted several significant school events, including a cultural celebration led by the Tī Kōuka classroom and a Matariki breakfast. The space is also home to the school’s new library, a much-needed and loved addition, made possible by generous donations of books from a wide range of groups and organisations, including families, and local businesses such as PaperPlus, Beca, and Checketts McKay. Boxes of resources were also provided by the National Library to help fill the space with new and exciting material. Fiona says Dunedin-based National Library facilitator Bridget Schaumann also played an important role in shaping the library’s vision, helping staff curate a collection that reflects the school’s values and learning goals. The redevelopment is a welcome milestone for a school that has had to remain agile while navigating space constraints, she says. The removal of the junior block meant existing rooms had to be repurposed, including the upstairs staffroom, which has been used as a teaching space. Despite the challenges, Fiona says Breen Construction went above and beyond throughout the process. “They’ve been outstanding – patient and supportive, even when plans shifted. It’s also been really special to have some of our school dads involved in the build, including the site manager and site foreman.” Breen Construction’s involvement reflects a broader investment in local infrastructure and education. As a company with a long history in the region, Breens brings both technical capability and community connection to its projects. Those qualities have been especially appreciated throughout the build, due to the strong emotional and cultural significance. Looking ahead, the next phase of the redevelopment is already taking shape. An eight-space teaching block is now under construction and due to open early next year. From the windows of the whare, the chilFor all excavation work including landscaping, site preparation, road access, irrigation, rock walls etc, supplier of gravels and top soil. CENTRALEXCAVATING Chris Robinson 027 435 3998 central.excavating@xtra.co.nz Proud to Support Breen Construction for all their Structural Steel needs PH: 03 688 7412 | Email: admin@phoenixsteel.co.nz 104 Meadows Road, Washdyke, Timaru STRUCTURAL STEEL SPECIALISTS PHOENIX STEEL LIMITED
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