Waiheke Island’s Te Huruhi School and Waiheke High School will both be redeveloped and their facilities transformed into 21st century learning environments.
The major investment was announced today by the Minister of Education and is the result of more than two years’ work.
Te Huruhi School’s upgrade is expected to cost $23 million and include the construction of 22 new flexible learning spaces, a new library and administration area. The school hall will also be upgraded.
Brand new buildings will be provided for Te Huruhi School in a new position on the school grounds.
Te Huruhi School principal Adam Cels says the school community was ‘over the moon’ to hear about the redevelopment.
“We’ve had lots of positive feedback,” he says “These new facilities will make a phenomenal difference to teaching and learning.”
First opened in 1986, Te Huruhi School caters to students from Years 1 to 6.
Work at Waiheke High School is expected to cost $17 million and include the upgrading of some existing buildings and replacing of some existing relocatable buildings.
The project will include new Year 7 and 8 teaching spaces, a new performing arts space. The drinking water and waste water infrastructure is currently being replaced, which will benefit both schools.
Waiheke High School principal Jude Young says she is very excited about the redevelopment.
“I’m absolutely delighted for our students, our staff and for the community of Waiheke,” she says. “We’re going to have a fantastic 21st Century learning environment.”
Both of the schools are in a Community of Learning, along with Waiheke Primary School.
Design work will begin soon and construction is expected to begin in 2018.