Pegasus Post: September 18, 2018

PEGASUS POST Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Tuesday September 18 2018 17
Linwood
College
PERSONALISED
PATHWAYS
TO SUCCESS
A NEW SCHOOL IS COMING
We are making it yours
Linwood College is undergoing some major changes. During this time a number of things will be happening as part of this transition into our new school buildings so we want to let
you know about our plans and processes.
• While our school is being rebuilt, Linwood College will temporarily relocate to the existing Avonside Girls' High School site.
• We are organising a farewell celebration for current and ex students of Linwood College to farewell the current buildings.
• Staff are focusing on teaching and learning that allows for students to collaborate, supports engagement and meets the individual needs of our current and future students -
personalised learning.
REBUILD INFORMATION
What’s been happening so far?
Workshops around the physical buildings have been occurring. These have included
staff from each learning area, Architectus - our architects, Mana Whenua and the
Linwood College rebuild team. Your community consultation feedback has fed into the
design of the physical teaching spaces and how the buildings will be positioned on
the physical site. Within our design we have ensured that the teaching spaces are for
30 students maximum with the ability to open up to a teaching space for 60 students
if and when appropriate. We also have smaller spaces for students to work. We want
to be able to encourage collaboration but ensure students are not lost in big open
spaces. High level design meetings occur fortnightly. These meetings look at logistics:
finances, structural and engineering considerations, geotechnical considerations, gas,
water, heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting. The Project Steering Group meets on a
monthly basis. This is when the Ministry of Education and the Linwood College Board
meet, making sure that what is being planned for is actually what the school and the
community are wanting.
Where we are now...
We now have a final site plan completed, and the final outside cladding of the new
buildings has been decided. We are coming to the end of the design phase of the
internal structures, and the individual classroom teaching spaces within the Learning
Hubs and the Innovation and Creativity buildings. A transition manager has been
appointed to oversee the shift to the Avonside Girls’ current site.
Where to next?
We are now looking at developing the landscaping designs that will surround the
buildings. We will be starting to look at internal fixtures and fittings, including flooring,
furniture and fabric finishes within the learning spaces. IT consultation is occurring to
plan the wireless connectivity within the buildings. There is planning about the closure
of the current Linwood College buildings including the Whare and the number of
significant memorials on site.
SAYING GOODBYE TO THE OLD LINWOOD COLLEGE BUILDINGS
As part of preparing for the demolition and complete rebuild of Linwood College, we are
organising a farewell celebration weekend. This will be over the weekend of April 5 & 6
2019. There will be a formal ticketed event on the Friday evening for past students and
teachers followed on the Saturday with a day of farewell open to all current and past
students and staff, and the wider community who would like to join us. This will also
include the closing of the Whare and acknowledging the other significant memorials
around Linwood College. We are remembering and celebrating the rich history that has
occurred in these buildings over the years.
Linda Rutland is chairing the organising committee for this event and is now
taking pre-registrations for the ticketed evening on registration@linwoodcollege.
school.nz. Queries to Linda 021 2398946 or Ken Bye 027 748 0697.
TEACHING AND LEARNING
At Linwood College we are committed to providing personalised pathways for students
to succeed. We are working on developing teaching and learning practices that develop
collaboration between both teachers and students. For us, this doesn’t mean having
everybody in an open space trying to work, but rather more structured environments
where both students and teachers can be successful. For example, at the moment our
year 10 and year 12 Physical Education classes work in partnership with the teachers
planning together.
AVONSIDE GIRLS’ HIGH SITE TRANSITION
WHY DO WE NEED TO RELOCATE?
By relocating for the period of the rebuild, the rebuild will occur faster as the
construction team will not have to work around us. Our students will not have to
do their learning in a building site. Because the timeframe will be shorter, Linwood
College can use the money saved to reinvest into the new school buildings.
WHEN WILL IT HAppEN?
Linwood College will be relocating to the old Avonside Girls’ High School site once
AGHS have moved to their new school on the QE2 site. This will be occurring
sometime in term 2 2019. A transition manager has been allocated by the Ministry
of Education to facilitate this shift, and to ensure that this does not disrupt the day
to day running of the school over this period.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE STUDENTS?
It means that our Linwood College staff and students won't have to continue
learning in a construction site. It means that once we have relocated, there will be
little to no disruption until we shift back. Our students will still be able to participate
in sport, major productions and all the other opportunities that Linwood College
currently offers.
CAN I ENROL MY CHILD AT LINWOOD COLLEGE DURING THIS TIME?
Yes you most certainly can. Just contact our Linwood College office on
(03) 9802100 or email office@linwoodcollege.school.nz for enrolment forms and to
arrange an enrolment interview. We will continue to warmly welcome new students
during this transition time.
HOW WILL I GET THERE?
AGHS is only 2.2 kms away from the original Linwood College site. The Ministry
of Education will supply buses from the original Aldwins Road Linwood site to the
Avonside site for the duration of the rebuild. This will be a free service, and will
leave LC to get to Avonside by the start of school, and will leave Avonside at the
end of the day to return to Linwood.
Linwood College • Phone: 982-0100 • office@linwoodcollege.school.nz • www.linwoodcollege.school.nz