92 | COMMUNITY Ashburton College T T Kim Newth College prepares to open new block Staff and students are looking forward to starting 2024 in the purpose-built block. A major milestone in the long-awaited upgrade of Ashburton College will soon be reached, with the completion of a large new teaching block. Staff and students are looking forward to starting 2024 in the purpose-built block, designed to support modern learning needs. The extensive new single-storey block will be home to science, mathematics, Te Whare Manaaki - special needs unit, as well as visual and performing arts. Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua have gifted the new block’s name, Rangitata. T T to page 94 “Each subject area will be in its own part of the building, with all parts interconnected,” says Ashburton College Executive Officer Charlie Kelland. “There are 26 teaching spaces altogether. Whereas our existing building has a very traditional layout of predominantly classrooms and corridors, this new building offers a lot more multi-purpose space and flexibility.” The design team – BCN (Baldasso Cortese Noordanus) – worked closely with the board, responding positively to ensure the layout evolved in step with teacher and student requirements. Movement zones in the new Rangitata block have been designed with break-out spaces. For example, there will be a big open plan learning space with tiered seating in the centre of the science area. As well as being used for teaching and learning, it will be suitable for group presentations and for use by different parts of the college. “Teachers will have so many more options in this new building. They will be able to open up single teaching spaces to create bigger combined spaces if they wish and it will enable bigger groups of students to participate together in mixed subject classes.” Funding for the staged redevelopment was first announced by then Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Education Minister Chris Hipkins in March 2019, who recognised the need for a significant upgrade to replace ageing facilities and to accommodate future roll growth. Ashburton College, which is the largest secondary school in Mid Canterbury, started the year with 1300 students and is projected to have one of its highest Year 9 intakes next year. With the existing teaching and learning facilities now more than 50 years old - and less than ideal for modern secondary education – the new block will be a welcome improvement. ■ Suspended Ceilings ■ Steel stud partitions ■ Timber frame partitions ■ Aluminium office partitions ■ Bespoke wall & ceiling panelling ■ Plasterboard Installation ■ Insulation & Plastering ■ Seismic restraint Proudly supporting Ashburton College 021 658 968 | accounts@aeoninteriors.co.nz | www.aeoninteriors.co.nz 0800 11 22 66 www.cablecraft.co.nz service@cablecraft.co.nz T O T A L S O L U T I O N S T O T A L S U P P O R T COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALISTS DATA & FIBRE OPTIC CABLING ON PREMISE & CLOUD HOSTED TELEPHONY SOLUTIONS VOIP SOLUTIONS SECURITY & CCTV SOLUTIONS MATV SOLUTIONS LONG RANGE CORDLESS SOLUTIONS WIRELESS HEADSET SOLUTIONS Proud to have installed data and fibre optic cabling at Ashburton College www.farrellconstruction.co.nz Mobile: 022 010 5097 | Phone: +64 3 374 3266 10a Vulcan Place | Middleton | Christchurch | New Zealand Structural | Mechanical | Electrical | Fire | Civil | Hydraulic | Acoustic | Sustainability 03 366 1777 | engineering@pfc.co.nz | pfc.co.nz Developing communities throughout the South Island
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