"Approximately 90 per cent of our girls play a winter team sport, we see this as an important component of teen wellbeing. Unfortunately on wet days their exercise opportunities have had to be cut short in the past."
Wet days will no longer mean no exercise, says Fiona, adding the new gym is a fantastic environment for their physical education classes.
"Our physical education classes have previously worked out of a very small school hall built in 1914 which is more suited to indoor bowls rather than volleyball, basketball or badminton."
Despite this we have managed to have our girls achieve excellence endorsements in NCEA because we have had dedicated and adaptive teaching staff.
Chairman of the school's Board of Proprietors, Peter Mellow, spoke at the opening, and had words of praise for all who had been involved in the project. "We worked with Kiwispan who have been fantastic throughout. We have used local contractors where possible and are delighted with the standard of work and the finished project."
Calling it "a proud moment for the school," Peter said the workmanship throughout is excellent and he thanked all involved.
Fiona says the gym is the perfect addition to the school. "Our school has been on site for 101 years and has never had a gym. We have a wonderful swimming pool and great playing fields but the Stratford weather is not the most sub-tropical!" She adds that with the school able to hire our their dining and boarding facilities during school holidays, being able to also offer the gymnasium means they can host sports teams and squads of national level. They also look forward to being able to share their facility with others, with Fiona saying it is nice to be able to repay the "goodwill that Stratford High School have given to us allowing our girls to train in their facilities".
There are many to thank, adds Fiona, "but special mention must go to the school PTA who have helped with funding, and our girls who have patiently respected a building site throughout". Funding from TSB and Taranaki Electricity Trust has been greatly appreciated she adds, "they clearly recognise that student and community wellbeing through physical exercise is key to healthy communities".