There was a lift opening at Wakari School on the 10th of May 2023.

The official lift opening ceremony was in the Wakari School hall. The lift was completed and ready to be officially opened.

Mrs Gribben (principal), Mr and Mrs Smith, Michelle Cone, Andy Holborow, and Jason Sargent (BoT members), Cam Gindlay (Architect), Jenny and Wade (Dima's parents), Stefan Box (Consultant) Reid (builder), Blair Stuart (Project Manager) and Ferdie Koen (MoE) all attended the opening.

They came to celebrate the end of the building work that they did.

The whole school gathered together in the hall, cut the ribbon and then Charlotte went up in the lift for the first time ever. The whole school performed the haka outside looking up at the new building.

The Wakari School have also just had their office area rebuilt too.

By Cody Greene, Year 4

On Wednesday 10th of May at 12:15pm, Wakari School had a celebration to open the new lift. It happened because the building was finished.

Mr Smith and Mrs Smith came for the lift opening because Mr Smith had worked on the project. 

It was made for Dima.

By Daniel M, Year 4

In the Wakari School hall, down by the bottom courts Mr Smith, Sophie, Mrs Smith, Olive, Noah, Oakley and Dima's parents and others gathered together. The lift was built to help children who need wheelchairs get around Wakari School.

Mr Smith was there because he was part of it. The builders were there so they could talk a bit about the lift. Mrs Gribben, the principal, the teachers and some other important people, Jason, Andy, Cam, Reid, Blair, Jenny, Wade, Ferdie and Michelle were there too.

Everyone came to celebrate the end of the building work and the office, and to use the lift for the very first time.

The lift was in Dima's memory and to help everyone in the future that uses a wheelchair to access their classrooms easily.

Dima's parents cut the ribbon and the children all walked through the tunnel. The school children performed the school haka and Charlotte was the first person to go up the lift.

By Essence, Year 6