Long awaited build at North Canterbury school

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

A school production is planned at West Eyreton School, near Oxford, but whether it goes ahead depends on the construction of a new classroom block.

For now the school hall is home to two classes, while they await new teaching spaces.

‘‘Wehave our school production planned for term three, but it can only go ahead if we have use of the hall,’’ principal Lisa Duff said.

‘‘So we would like to have the new classrooms by then.’’

Work got under way last month on a new classroom block and the construction company, Molior Building, has indicated it will be a six month project.

The new building will replace the old Cebus Block, which was demolished last year.

‘‘The original Cebus Block was due for modernisation, but it was identified as being unsuitable for purpose,’’ Duff said.

The new building will provide ‘‘a fit-for-purpose learning space’’ for year 3 and 4 pupils, while complementing the historic buildings onsite, she said.

Two classes will occupy a shared space, with an open veranda and lots of breakout spaces for learning.

As the school was waiting for work to begin on the new classroom block, an 80-year-old tree which had some significance for the school had to be removed.

Thanks to the support of Oxford Cartage and Bennetts Sawmill, near Oxford, some slabs from the tree will return to the school in the form of some outdoor furniture, Duff said.

‘‘We really appreciate and value the contributions our wider West Eyreton School community make to our school and the full circle approach to the tree removal will be a valuable learning experience for all our children.’’

The Molior Building has already renovated the school’s main classroom block, meaning the school was set for the future.

The school new year has seen 20 new enrolments to begin the year with 186 pupils.

Duff expected to end the year with about 200 pupils, as the school continues to enjoy steady growth.

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