Construction begins on exciting new Christchurch school

Flexible learning spaces, a virtual conferencing room and a digital design workshop will all feature in the new Ao Tawhiti Unlimited Discovery school in Christchurch.

Construction is due to get underway this week on the $30 million project, which will also feature music and recording studios, a performance space, reading lounges and a café.

Ao Tawhiti Unlimited Discovery, formed through the merger of Discovery One and Unlimited Paenga Tawhiti, has been operating from two sites outside the city centre while awaiting its new home.

Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye says it took some time to find the right site to support the school's unique vision and approach to learning.

"The school's vision is based on students directing their own learning, and family-like relationships between the school and parents, whanau and the wider community, who are all heavily involved in school life and delivering the curriculum.

"An inner-city location is a big part of this vision, because it enables the school to make the most of the amenities and experiences that the city offers," says Kaye.

"I've seen the designs for the new facilities and it's obvious this is going to be an awesome learning environment.

Construction of the new school is expected to take around two years to complete.

"Christchurch is seeing some incredible new schools take shape. Already this year, we've seen the fantastic new learning facilities at Lemonwood Grove School and the Haeata Community Campus officially opened. The new Ao Tawhiti Unlimited Discovery school will be another jewel in the local education network," says Kaye.