120 | COMMUNITY Ashburton Christian School & Joseph Builders T T Rosa Watson School celebrating new facilities The new purpose-built technology block at Ashburton Christian School means the school can now teach the full secondary school programme onsite. The completion of a new purpose-built technology block at Ashburton Christian School means the school can now teach the full secondary school programme onsite. The new building, that was completed by local firm Joseph Builders, will house art, digital technology and hard materials, as well as a photography room, study room and plenty of storage space. Construction started early last year, and so far the students had “loved what they see”, principal Tim Kuipers said. He said with the recent introduction of the senior school – years 11, 12 and 13 – the state-integrated school’s role had grown from 130 four years ago to now around 285. The senior group made up 20 per cent of the growth, and 80 per cent was across the other year groups. He said it was great to be able to offer another high school option in the Ashburton community. “Ashburton College is an excellent school ... but we felt there was demand to develop something that gives people a second option if they need it. “In Ashburton we see that many of the students that are from the rural background and there is a high interest in the area of technology. “Because of that we have had to make sure that we have a very good technology centre ... and also had to make sure we could do it on site.” He said up until this year they had been able to access the Mid Canterbury Technology Centre for years 7 to 10, and the Ashburton Menz Shed for years 11 to 13, but they had limited space. “Both of the organisations have been very supportive, but there are limitations.” The next project to be constructed this year is a food technology space with a toilet block and weights room. “That’s going to cater for all the senior secondary classes very well. That will be the last of the offsite classrooms coming on site.” This is hoped to be up and running by the start of next year, he said. Tim said the school had built a great relationship with Joseph Builders over the years, and found them to be high quality at a very good price. “Where they could, they kept the price low without compromising quality. “They’ll be beginning construction on the next building by May 2024.” Joseph Builders had built the first buildings on the campus back in 2008. They also carried out renovations on the house on the site that was turned into an administration block and staff room. They also chipped in to do voluntary work for the school in between jobs such as footpaths. Over the school’s 15 years a total of 22 classrooms have been built, he said. “A lot of them were prefabs that were moved on site ... but the majority were built on site from new.” The roll at the school continued to grow, with some year levels having waiting lists, he said. NORTH END ENGINEERING LTD Suppliers of structural steel for commercial and residential buildings. Specialists in seismic strengthening to existing structures. EasyFit vehicle/ inspection pits, designed and fabricated by North End Engineering. 6 Range Street, Ashburton Phone: 03 308 8155 | Mobile: 0273 529 909 Email: office@nee.kiwi.nz | www.nee.nz
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