| 109 T T Kim Newth New phase for school The redevelopment of Collingwood Area School is nearing completion. Collingwood Area School - Naylor Love COMMUNITY Collingwood Area School | Te Kura o Aorere is counting down to December 8th, the date when the doors open on their large new teaching building. Government funding of $9 million to redevelop the school’s ageing classrooms and other facilities was first announced in 2018, with a further funding boost released in 2021. The school, which typically has a roll of around 150 to 160 students, caters for new entrants through to Year 13 students drawn from across a wide rural area. Principal|Tumuaki Hugh Gully, who has led the school for the past four years, says it is rewarding to see the major redevelopment now nearing completion, with excitement building around the transformation taking place. “It would be fair to say that what we currently have is in poor condition and there are issues around heating, lighting and connectivity. The classrooms, particularly for secondary school students, are no longer fit for modern learning. It will be wonderful for our students to be in a warm, dry building with spaces that are properly soundproofed and well-lit. “One of the key changes is that virtually all our classes - apart from PE, health and technology – will soon be in one single building. The connectivity from that will be massively beneficial and, on top of that, the layout will allow for so much more flexibility for collaborative learning in shared spaces as well as small group learning.” Local iwi, Manawhenua ki Mohua, have led the school’s cultural narrative and gifted names for various classrooms and buildings. Work is currently underway on a new carved waharoa (entranceway) for the school. “It is pretty special – we are really lucky to have been gifted these names and kōwhaiwhai that will help build understanding of cultural stories.” WSP Architecture designed the school’s new administration building and teaching/library building, along with new linkways. Gibbons Naylor – formed as a partnership between Naylor Love Canterbury and Nelson-based Gibbons Construction - is the lead contractor on site. “The relationship we have with Gibbons Naylor has been very positive and the various site managers have been very communicative, engaging, responsive and professional. They have done such an effective job of coordinating the various subbies and construction teams on our school site.” In early September, the school’s new administration block opened. Progress on the new teaching building has been rapid in recent weeks too, with roofing and internal walls installed along with external windows and doors. It includes junior, middle and senior rooms for flexible and focused learning, along with break out rooms, teacher workrooms, a library, and science and art rooms. A week after the scheduled opening of the new teaching building this December, the school will close for the year and the old school will be fully deconstructed over the summer break. “When we come back after the holidays, we will be coming back to a new school. I can’t wait to see the kids’ faces when they step inside the new teaching building for the first time!” • Licensed Building Practitioner - Metal Roofing and Cladding • Residential and Commercial New Roof • Re-Roof • Cladding • Repairs • Maintenance • Spouting • Clay and Concrete Tile Repairs +64 27 395 0037 goldenbayroofing@yahoo.com Proudly Supporting Collingwood School & Naylor Love
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