Govt continues to splash out on school redevelopment

The Government will invest at least $13 million in a redevelopment of the senior campus at Warkworth Primary School.

The investment is part of the Government's pledge to address roll growth and modernise school infrastructure, according to Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye.

 "Ten existing classrooms on the senior campus for years four to six will be demolished and replaced with 14 new classrooms, along with renewed administration, library and resource spaces," says Kaye.

Kaye says the school and Ministry of Education are currently working together on the final designs for the redevelopment.

"[The] announcement follows the $7.6 million redevelopment of the school's junior campus, which saw a new 16-classroom block, administration area and hall for years one to three open last year," she explains.

"Warkworth Primary School is a high-performing school which is playing an increasingly important role as Auckland's population spreads northwards. The redevelopments mean the school will offer fantastic facilities which set it up for the future," says Kaye.

Kaye had earlier visited Whangarei Girls' High School in Northland, where she turned the sod to mark the start of construction of a new, $6.8 million classroom block.

"At Whangarei Girls' High School it was great to see work begin to replace three ageing classrooms, and also provide an additional seven classrooms to help accommodate a growing roll," says Kaye.

Kaye says the Government is committed to investing in the potential of Northland's young people.

"School infrastructure across New Zealand is steadily being transformed as we address legacy issues such as old, leaky buildings, and we provide the extra classroom capacity needed to accommodate growing rolls," she explains.

"In the Auckland and Northland areas, around $614 million has been approved since 2013 for new schools, major school expansions and school redevelopments, as well as around 50 extra classrooms approved since 2016," Kaye says.

"This is part of the greatest spend ever on school infrastructure by a New Zealand Government, which so far has seen over $5 billion committed for new and upgraded schools and classrooms.

Warkworth Primary School is part of the Mahurangi Community of Learning/Kahui Ako (CoL), while Whangarei Girls' High School has expressed interest in being part of a CoL.

Communities of Learning are about increasing student achievement, through early education services, schools and tertiary providers working together to share expertise and lift the quality of teaching and learning.

Breakdown of recent investment by region

Northland

Since 2013, around $55 million has been approved for projects including:

·       Northland College redevelopment ($14m approx)

·       Oturu School upgrade ($6m approx)

·       Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Tonga o Hokianga relocation and rebuild ($12m approx)

·       Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Taumarere redevelopment ($6.9m approx)

·       Hora Hora School expansion, to increase capacity ($6m approx)

·       additional classrooms at various schools, including Whangarei Girls' High School, Paparore School, Parua Bay School and Bay of Islands International Academy ($10m approx)

Auckland

Since 2013, around $559 million has been approved for projects including:

·       18 major redevelopments, including Western Springs College ($74m approx), MacLeans College ($38m approx), Takapuna Grammar School ($26m approx), Southern Cross Campus ($23m approx), Balmoral School ($24m approx), Te Huruhi School, Waiheke Island ($23m approx) and Koru School ($20m approx)

·       6 new schools, including Kauri Flats School ($20m approx), Ormiston Junior College ($25m approx), Scott Point School ($25m approx), Kumeu School ($25m approx), Flat Bush East Primary School ($25m approx) and Hingaia South School ($19m approx)

·       2 school expansions, Hingaia Peninsula School ($5m approx) and Ormiston Primary School ($7m approx)

·       additional classrooms at various schools ($18 million approx)