134 | Giving the school a heart The decision to replace an existing school library and science and technology building was triggered by uneconomic repair costs. COMMUNITY Queen Charlotte College T T Richard Loader After patiently waiting for over two years, staff and students at Queen Charlotte College are looking forward to enjoying their new student centre, along with a science and technology building, due for completion at the start of the 2025 school year. In the heart of Picton and the only co-ed school in the area, Queen Charlotte College has a roll of about 400 students from Year 7 through to 13. The decision to replace an existing school library and science and technology building was triggered by uneconomic repair and maintenance costs, and the opportunity to develop modern, purpose-built teaching facilities that would meet the school’s needs now and into the future. “We now have a 750sqm, single-storey student centre, that gives the school a student heart or hub,” says the school’s principal Betty Whyte. “The building encompasses a large, open central student area and library where the kids can come during wet weather or study. From that large central area, the students also have access to the Deans’ offices, career guidance office, health nurse, health support, administration support and meeting rooms. It’s very much focused around students.” The 1500sqm science/technology building also encompasses a large, open centre where student can quietly work outside of a formal classroom environment, or collaborate with other students on a project. From that central area, various workrooms flow, including a hard materials room with lathes and machinery, a clean room housing a laser cutter and 3D printers, a computing room, fully functioning hospitality room, and three science labs, including a separate clean lab that maintains a high level of hygiene free from contamination, and where edible food can be produced in a scientific environment. “The new facilities will modernise the teaching and learning environments, especially in regard to integration of the science technology and computing areas,” explains Betty. “There’s a sharing of facilities that enables students to create or design something with a lot more integration. There’s quite a bit of internal glass, allowing a view into various spaces, which means several children can be sent to work in a joint learning space, and be observed by any teacher in the area.” With the Ministry of Education the key project sponsor, RDT was appointed client-side project manager. Design work was undertaken by WSP, while Christchurch construction company Brosnan was awarded the tender to complete the demolition and construction work. Betty praises her staff, along with the students for their tolerance and patience throughout the two-year journey. “They have been amazing, really. We had a big bus shed up the back of the school, which we converted into our hard materials technology room. We also converted the students’ old common room into a hospitality room with six stoves and a kitchen. Because the work is being done in the centre of the school, you have to walk right around the outside of the school to get to the other side and that has created challenges. We have concrete smashers and drills working outside classrooms, and asbestos being removed during holidays while students are away. But Brosnan has been very good and kept the project flowing on time.” Commercial Construction specialising in: Design & Build | Foundations Concrete Works | Retail Spaces PHONE 027 299 9712 Check out our BRAND NEW Website: www.ascendconstruction.co.nz ALPHA SCAFFOLD. A BETTER START FROM THE GROUND UP. Phone: 027 3332260 or email office@alphascaffold.co.nz Office/Yard 8 Woodmor Road, Blenheim Proud to work alongside Brosnan Construction on the Queen Charlotte College Development Upgrade Hire & Installation of Scaffold — Residential, Commercial or Industrial Short term or long term — Locally owned and operated www.martella.co.nz 1 Freswick St, Blenheim 03 578 0030 MARLBOROUGH’S HEATING, COOLING & VENTILATION SPECIALISTS PROVIDING MARLBOROUGH WITH RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL SOLUTIONS SINCE 1983 Proud to workwith Brosnan Construction on the Queen Charlotte College Project Providing a state of the art facility for Marlborough youth
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