We were welcomed by Head Prefects Olivia and Sione to the centre of the New Classrooms Building where the space had been transformed into a restaurant and situated alongside the new modern kitchen facilities. The students could be seen working on the final plating of the meals which was the culmination of a full days preparation and cooking.
The food presentation and the wait staff attendance was of a very high calibre and they can be very proud of their efforts. The food, of course, was delicious.
Gareth Leadbeater, the new build project liaison officer, explained the background to the facilities and what they had achieved in producing a modern education facility that will be a reference point for future education builds.
This was their first week in the classrooms which will be officially opened this Friday 17th June 2022 followed by an open day on Saturday.
The new Gymnasium has been in use from the beginning of the year and is a world class facility that Gareth takes great pride in what was achieved in the design.
We were invited to tour the two levels of classrooms and to go across to the Gymnasium. The prefects were available to escort us and to answer any questions. For anyone not familiar with modern schools this was an impressive experience.
Principal Deidre Shea, (MNZM of which the students had said were very proud), spoke of the long journey that was undertaken in obtaining funding and the planning of the building design.
The delay in receiving the approved funding was exacerbated by the Christchurch earthquake which took priority. This did provide the opportunity to make sure that the design reflected their detailed research of their requirements.
Barry Stafford gave the vote of thanks to the students for their efforts and assured them that, at their table at least, the desserts were shared around for all to experience the various delights on offer.
