118 | The new school has been designed to support students from Year 1 to 13. T T Alexia Anderson COMMUNITY Twizel Area School: Southbase “This build has been a long time coming, so there was plenty of time to make sure we were making the right choices for our students, both now and into the future.” School rebuild reflects local values A full-scale rebuild of Twizel Area School is now underway, marking a significant milestone for education in the Mackenzie District. The redevelopment, led by construction firm Southbase in partnership with the Ministry of Education, aims to better support students, staff, and the wider community with modern, purpose-built facilities. The new school has been designed to support students from Year 1 to 13. Acting principal Charlotte Saunders says the design of the new build is strongly tied to the educational journey students take during their time at the school. Layout design connects each stage of learning – starting at the primary hub nestled beside the kindergarten – through a visual design using transitioning blues that trace the path from Aoraki to the sea via the area’s lakes and rivers. Those physical and visual connections help reinforce a sense of continuity and growth for the tamariki, Charlotte says. Located adjacent to the existing site, the rebuild has been carefully planned to avoid disruption to day-to-day learning. With extensive consultation involving staff, students, mana whenua and the wider Twizel community, the project has been designed to reflect local needs and values. “This build has been a long time coming, so there was plenty of time to make sure we were making the right choices for our students, both now and into the future.” While the school has opted for traditional classroom layouts, Charlotte says modern learning practices have still shaped the design. “There is a lot of glass and sliding doors that will allow classes to connect if they want to collaborate. In the primary end, we have project spaces that will allow our younger students easier access to cooking and art spaces.” Construction is currently in the early stages, with a focus on earthworks and slab preparation. Talk to us today, the feature profile experts Phone: 03 983 5500 waterfordpress.co.nz PROFILE YOUR PROJECT... As with any large project in a regional setting, the build has faced some obstacles. “Our isolation is a unique challenge, as is the weather. Southbase are working hard to get the ground works done before winter truly settles in,” Charlotte says.. “A number of the build team are from out of town, so they have had to find rental accommodation that can house them all.” Despite the logistical hurdles, engagement with the community has been strong. “They keep us informed with the key information and are working to build relationships within the community,” Charlotte says. “One of our primary classes did an art project around diggers, and the students delivered their final images to the builders. The team were incredibly accommodating, answering questions and letting the students see some of the diggers they have been admiring from afar, out their classroom windows.” The school’s new design also incorporates environmental features suited to the region’s extreme conditions. “There is a lot of well-placed glass to make the most of natural light, while also being suitable for the extreme temperatures we get in both winter and summer.” With completion expected in early 2026, the new school is a long-term investment in the region. “It will be a place our staff and students can have pride in, and will be a big improvement on the buildings we have now, that were only ever meant to be temporary,” Charlotte says. www.mainlandbrickandblock.co.nz simon@mainlandbrickandblock.co.nz SOUTH LIMITED For All Your Brick and Block Requirements
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