Redeveloping Paraparaumu College's main entrance

BLESSING: Paraparaumu College kaumatua Tuki Takiwa leads a blessing of the college's entrance project. Photo: Matt Cowens

Work is underway to redevelop Paraparaumu College's main entrance.

This project was initiated by the college's Board of Trustees after feedback from parents and students indicated that better traffic flow around the college, especially at the start and end of the school day, would be beneficial.

The new design will allow buses and parents to collect students out the front of the school rather than from the car parks on the western side of the school at the end of the day.

Principal Gregor Fountain said the entrance is the first of a series of property projects at the college, with redevelopment of the current administration block into a 'student hub' and the building of a cultural centre set to follow over the next 18 to 24 months.

"The idea is that the three projects work together to provide a welcoming entrance and more community spaces for students, whanau and staff to share.

"We also want to make the programmes which we host more accessible to members of the wider community."

A new sign is being designed for the front of the school, which will include a digital display, providing the school with an additional avenue for advertising events and celebrating student success.

Work on the entrance project will be continuing over the Christmas holidays, with the bulk of the work completed by the time students return for the start of the school year on January 30.