Friday’s sod turning ceremony signals the start of an exciting new era of secondary education in the east of Christchurch.

The Associate Minister of Education Hon Tim Macindoe turned the first sod on the site of the future Avonside Girls’ High School and Shirley Boys’ High School shared campus. It will be the first time in New Zealand’s history that two single sex schools will be co-located.

Shirley Boys’ High School and Avonside Girls’ High School Principals John Laurenson (Shirley Boys’) and Sue Hume (Avonside Girls’) say the sod turning brings the schools one step closer to a new future.

“This will be the ultimate campus for providing high quality single sex education. As well as each school staying independent and having our own new facilities, we will be sharing amazing facilities such as a performing arts auditorium and theatre, a library and learning centre, a café and a dedicated cultural space,” says John Laurenson.

“It’ll be the best of both worlds. We’ll still be offering all the benefits of a single-sex education, but our students will have the advantage of being able to learn and grow alongside students from our partner school, in what will be a truly state of the art campus,” says John Laurenson.

Sue Hume says the shared campus will become a crucial asset for the east of Christchurch.

“Residents in the east of Christchurch have long been calling for a new high school, and the new campus will be a place where the community is welcomed. Many of our facilities, including the sports facilities will be available for community use,” says Sue Hume.

“It will be an asset the communities in the east of Christchurch will be proud of,” says Sue Hume.