| 107 “We’ve got plenty of space here, we just needed a revamp of our current footprint.” T T Kelly Deeks Revamp required for growing roll The refurbishment to six classrooms will create open and flexible environments. BUILDING Waimate High School - Colin Shore Building An extensive classroom refurbishment programme for the growing Waimate High School is set to create the best possible learning environment for the students of today and tomorrow. Waimate High School was opened in 1929 and its main classroom block is one of the town’s iconic landmark buildings. Old, beautiful, spacious, but tired, it was time for a facelift and a transformation into a modern learning environment. “We’ve got plenty of space here, we just needed a revamp of our current footprint,” says Waimate High School principal Jo Hunnikin. “This will set us up for the future and last another 100 years.” After consultation with teachers and students, the refurbishment to six classrooms will see the open and flexible environments both groups were asking for. Building work is being undertaken by Colin Shore Building, who has returned to the school after having completed a refurbishment to the junior block in 2018. “We just wanted confidence of good outcomes, and because we’ve used Colin Shore before, we know what quality he can provide,” Jo says. “We were happy has tender was accepted by the Ministry.” Colin is opening up the internal spaces with glazing and partitioning, and replacing windows with sliding doors which open out onto a new timber deck with tiered seating. Jo says the builder has a very professional setup with his work areas securely fenced off. “We only know he’s there when we hear him.” Waimate High School has had some good times recently with the school celebrating its highest ever NCEA results in 2023, and among the best in South Canterbury for 2022 and 2023. Now for the first time in 10 years, the school roll has grown to more than 300 students. Having been in decline for some years, this roll increase over the past two years have been very encouraging for the school and the community. Jo thinks Waimate High School is now the school of choice for Waimate, and it is retaining a higher proportion of students from year 8 into year 9. “Our school was built for a time when Waimate was more populated, so we have plenty of classrooms and could easily cater for another 100 students.” She says the shiny new classrooms are going to be good for the kids, good for the school, and good for the community. Students and teachers alike are looking forward to taking over their refurbished facility hopefully before the end of the year. Waimate High School property manager Graeme Hamilton says the refurbishment is going to provide significant savings on building maintenance. “We’re trying to reduce the upkeep on what is a very old and beautiful building,” he says. ‘We want to retain its external character and have it looking great on the inside as well.” And it should be preserved, Jo adds. “It’s an iconic landmark. We are the only high school in Waimate and this building is very important to a lot of our community. Many of them went to school here or know someone who did. Graeme was actually caned inside this building.” We proudly support the Team at Waimate High School LICENSED BUILDING PRACTITIONERS Building confidence HEALTH & SAFETY MADE SIMPLE
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