Kia ora koutou katoa

There has been a flurry of activity on our school site this week. After many years of planning, changes to planning and Ministry of Education property advisor changes, we will finally be able to wave goodbye to our decrepit classrooms that border our fields. We are super excited to know that eventually QPS students and staff will be able to enjoy well ventilated and heated rooms that are fit for purpose. From now until the end of Term 4, I will keep you informed of the property development at QPS.

Southbase are project managing the demolition of some classrooms and replacing these with the new modular classrooms that have been temporarily accommodated at Wakatipu High School (WHS). You will have noticed how they have fenced off the area to ensure they are meeting Health and Safety guidelines and students and staff are kept safe. Nine classrooms will be demolished by the end of this year and replaced with ten teaching spaces. The following classrooms are to be demolished in sequence;

Rooms 28 and 29.
Rooms 20, 21, 22.
Rooms 12, 13, 14,15.

We are not using Rooms 28 and 29 at the moment, therefore, the first ones to go. We are not expecting much disruption to students and teachers as we relocate them. I will keep you informed. We are expecting to shift all classes into their new rooms during the last week of Term 4.

The classrooms from WHS will be remodelled internally to meet the needs of primary students. They are currently large open spaces. Sliding doors will be placed between 2 teaching spaces to allow for open or closed teaching and learning times. Sinks and wet areas will be fitted and independent light switches.

A map of where the new blocks will be placed on our site is attached to this newsletter. In the background, we are also using the feedback from students, staff and parents regarding a new junior playground. The initial stages of planning and design are happening to meet the needs of our junior students.

Yesterday we had a special assembly to share what is happening on our site with the students. We really want them to be as excited as us and know how to keep themselves safe during the development. Representatives from Southbase shared 2 rules;

Keep away from the fences and do not climb them.
Try not to kick balls over the fences or poke items through the holes.

Easy peasy! One question that a student wanted to know about was whether during the demolition there would be a wrecking ball. No, that won’t happen as a digger will do all this work.

This week a container has been shifted into the enclosed area for Southbase workers in establishing their site. Next week, work will begin to prepare Rooms 28 and 29 for demolition, excavation to start the earthworks and a haul road created along with drainage. We are expecting the first demolition to occur on 26 June. I am sure many classes will be observing this occasion and hopefully, write and draw about it later in class.

Enjoy your weekend!

Ka kite koe i tera wiki

See you next week

Fi Cavanagh

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