Charlie Whittington and Jessica Smithson, the school's special character leaders for 2020, pictured with the carved stone that sits in the courtyard. Photo / Supplied
Charlie Whittington and Jessica Smithson, the school's special character leaders for 2020, pictured with the carved stone that sits in the courtyard. Photo / Supplied
A new school hall is on the timetable for pupils at a Stratford school this school year.
Chris Linders, principal of St Joseph's School in Stratford, says work on the new hall is now well under way, the final part of a school rebuild project that has been in progressover the past few years.
"The project included a total modernisation of all the teaching spaces in the school - which meant remodelling of four classrooms in the junior school and then the building of six brand new classrooms as well as the surrounding spaces."
The work has meant pupils at the state-integrated Roman Catholic school have seen plenty of diggers and other building machinery on-site over the past couple of years, but that hasn't hindered their learning, says Chris.
"On the contrary, it has been really interesting for the students to see the work progressing. They have enjoyed watching some of the things happening, like the old hall being moved off-site, or the classrooms being demolished, and they have enjoyed exploring the new spaces as they have been created."
When the old school hall was removed from the site last year it wasn't relegated to the dump, however.
"It's been moved to a site at the Vertical Horizon Camp in Inglewood."
The old school hall was removed from the property last year and is now in use in a new location in the region. Photo / Supplied
The new hall, being built by Quintin Oakes Builders, has been funded through school community fundraising, along with funding from the Catholic Diocese of Palmerston North, says Chris.
"We are so grateful to the school community for their support. Over the past 12 years there have been countless gala days, raffles, slink calf fundraisers and quiz nights as part of that fundraising. In total, the PTA raised $150,000 towards it. A grant of $30,000 from the TSB Community Trust was also gratefully received and I think everyone in the school community is looking forward to the new hall being completed this year."
Chris says the school, which opened in its current location in 1897, with the senior block being built in 1949, was well overdue for modernisation.
"Funding for building projects in Catholic schools like this one doesn't come from central government. As part of the agreement when Roman Catholic schools became integrated, the Catholic Church agreed the Government wasn't going to be expected to fund the maintenance and upkeep of Catholic Schools. Instead, that cost is met by the local diocese, which in our case is the Palmerston North diocese, and our school here was one of the last in the diocese to get this modernisation project under way."
Reflecting the Church ethos of the common good, the money for the school building project has come from churches all over the Palmerston North diocese, says Chris.
"The idea is that the school that needs it, gets it. So over the years, money donated by our parishioners here at Immaculate Conception has gone for school builds elsewhere in the diocese, and now our school building project is being funded by parishioners all over the diocese, not just those in Stratford."
The new classroom layout has been carefully designed to complement the teaching and learning methods used in the school.
"We have spaces where groups can spread out, we have ways to open up spaces across classrooms, we can move out into the corridors and courtyard, the learning isn't restricted by a one size fits all style of layout.
"We have rooms for STEAM [Science, technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths] learning and can move things around easily to accommodate groups of all sizes, ages and needs."
Junior teacher Kay Linders with some pupils enjoying the space in one of the new classrooms. Photo / Supplied
The school's courtyard is an integral part of the space, giving students space to work and play outside in the fresh air. The space also contains a special carving, reflecting the spiritual side of the school, says Chris.
"The courtyard itself is centered on a cross, representing our values, with the carved rock forming an entry into the sacred space, where prayer and reflection can take place. The stone comes from the river here in Stratford and was gifted to the school, before being blessed by Father Dondon Rancho, the parish priest. The rock has a simple bowl shape carved into the top to hold rainwater, which pupils can use if they want to anoint themselves as they enter that space."
Trees have been planted surrounding the area, which will grow to form a canopy over the space he says.
"It is a very peaceful part of the school."
While the building project is almost completed, Chris says the school is prepared for future projects as well. With a current school roll of 220, future growth was also considered during the design phase of the building project.
"We have space for more classrooms as and when we need them in the future."
Work on the new school hall is now well under way, and pupils are looking forward to being able to use it this school year. Photo / Ilona Hanne
