North Canterbury News: January 23, 2020

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The North Canterbury News, January 23, 2020
19
Exciting year ahead for Kaiapoi schools
By DAVID HILL
Kaiapoi’s schools are looking ahead to a
busy year, with more building
development in store.
Kaiapoi Borough School principal
Murray Overton and his Kaiapoi North
School counterpart Jason Miles say they
are excited about overseeing building
projects this year.
Mr Miles says site work will begin next
month to replace the double classroom
block destroyed by arson in November
2018.
‘‘The new classroom block will be
gratefully received and will house our
new­entrant classes.
‘‘It will include teaching spaces and
breakout areas for play­based learning,
art and cooking, kitchen and toilet
facilities and plenty of outdoor deck
space for our children.’’
The school has the use of temporary
classrooms until the project is
completed.
Mr Overton says planning is under way
for anew technology centre to replace
the aged facility which serves around
650 year 7and 8pupils from 10 North
Canterbury schools, with construction
expected to begin mid­year.
He says earthquake repairs and
maintenance to the school pool have
finally been completed, which should
give the younger pupils something to get
excited about.
‘‘It's not quite large enough for the
older students to get into as well, but we
are grateful to have this valuable
resource up and running again.’’
Mr Miles says his school is to receive
$374,220 from the Ministry of
Education’s school investment package.
The money is likely to be spent on
upgrading buildings missed in the
school’s recent property
redevelopment, improving outdoor
surfaces, landscaping and upgrading the
office and administration block.
‘‘The specific projects will be
confirmed by our Board of Trustees in
the next few months. We are very
grateful for this additional funding to
further enhance our school
environment.’’
Kaiapoi Borough School is set to
receive more than $200,000, with the
Board of Trustees meeting soon to
discuss how to spend the money.
‘‘We have some exciting possibilities
for spending this money and look
forward to getting projects under way,’’
Mr Overton says.
The school year begins next
Wednesday, with Kaiapoi North School
set to welcome 30 new pupils.
Mr Overton says he can’t wait for the
new school year to begin.
‘‘We are excited to get our learning
programmes under way and look
forward to welcoming back students and
their whanau.
‘‘There are also anumber of new
families joining our community and we
look forward to getting to know them
too,’’ he says.
New arrivals ... Pupils at Kaiapoi North
School watched early last year as
temporary classrooms were lifted off
trucks to replace adouble classroom
destroyed by arson. Work will begin next
month on apermanent replacement for
the lost classrooms.
PHOTO: FILE
Te Matauru Primary Opening Dates 2020
New Enrolments -4Feb 9am-3pm
(no appointment necessary)
Y7-8 Student Leaders Day -5February, 9am
First day for all students and families -7February, 9am
(gather in school carpark area for welcoming Pōwhiri)
Enrolment queries (in zone only)
enrolments@tematauru.school.nz
2237741
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