The new Campus welcomed students for their first day of learning on Monday 6 May 2019.

After five years of discussion, planning and construction the new Avonside Girls' and Shirley Boys' campus has opened its doors to staff and students. 

 The modern facilities on the campus include, spacious learning areas, a Performing Arts Centre with a 750-seat theatre and a second smaller 200-seat theatre, a Cultural space, four full-sized sports fields with a 400-metre running track, three full-sized indoor Gymnasiums – one with a climbing wall, and a Café and fully-equipped commercial teaching kitchen. 

There was excitement and curiosity about what the new learning spaces, social spaces and shared spaces would be like in reality. At the end of day one a community feel had developed, as students and staff worked out how to move around the new space. Lost students were shown to their classes by other students, and in some cases lost staff were shown to their spaces by students. The sense of generosity shown by the students, as they supported each other to get used to this environment, was great to see. 

In the last week of Term Two the Right Honourable Jacinda Ardern officially opened the school. She spoke to students and staff before unveiling the plaque. A memorial tree has been planted and she returned, to the tree, the first sod of dirt that was turned at construction.

Every day we are learning how to maximise the potential of our new environment, and are grateful that we have such a wonderful turangawaewae – our place to stand strong.