What sort of place do we want for the next generation of Redwood tamariki?

This place, Redwood School, is about to be redeveloped. This will be our kura/school for many years to come. The Master Plan for the rebuild is being costed now and will indicate what we can afford to do.

What is likely to happen and what is this based on?

· The Ministry of Education has limited our rebuild roll to 350 due to roll pressure on neighbouring schools (15 learning spaces)

· Up to 2014 the number of school age children in our zone had dropped by 13%

· The current school roll has crept up again to 360 by end of year

· Six teaching spaces are likely to be built new

· Nine teaching spaces will be completely refurbished, upgraded, reshaped

· The library and hall will be repaired and weather proofed

· The staff room will be replaced

· Some classrooms will be demolished

· There will be some landscaping done

· Playgrounds will be updated and renewed with PTA funding support

The Principal and Board are pushing hard for the best possible outcomes for our tamariki. We are very aware that how Redwood School is redeveloped now will impact our local tamariki for decades to come.

This is what you fed back to us and what we have learnt about what Redwood School should look like in the future…

· Redwood School will have a cosy, human scale, not a corporate box or a barn

· Two teachers will be working together in a learning space (power of two)

· Learning spaces can be opened out to work in bigger groups sometimes

· Learning spaces will be well sound-proofed

· There will be plenty of natural light and ready access to outdoor spaces

· The straight lines of buildings will be softened

· Connection of the school to Prestons Road entrance via a remodelled admin will be improved

· There will be well designed break-out spaces for small groups and individuals

· Well thought through daily organisation and learning for children in a shared space will give good structure

· In the teaching spaces, routines and planning for our learning needs tamariki will be carefully considered

The budget for our school redevelopment is not lavish. We are not a new or amalgamated school with a large budget. However, our school will be considerably better for tamariki to learn in and for our staff to teach in after the redevelopment. We are looking forward to having a much improved physical learning environment for our tamariki.