A buzz at Hora Hora Primary School

Issue: Volume 96, Number 5

Posted: 27 March 2017
Reference #: 1H9d78

The upgrade of Whangarei’s Hora Hora Primary School was finished in December ready for the start of the 2017 school year.

The redevelopment has delivered exceptional results by creating a building full of light, space, and vibrancy.

Principal Pat Newman says students keenly watched as the finishing touches were added.

“There’s been a real buzz amongst the students. They couldn’t wait to get into the new classrooms. During the holidays many children were bringing their parents to peek through the windows."

“It will be a much better learning environment and the entire community is going to be proud of this wonderful asset, which is world class. It’s a very exciting step forward.”

The redevelopment has given the school a two-storey building with 10 new classrooms, six of which are replacing former classrooms, and upgraded facilities. The school now has the capacity to provide for its growing roll, with capacity of up to 420.

A feature of the built-for-purpose facility is the flexible layout of the learning spaces that can change to suit what is being taught. There are also fully accessible and high needs bathroom, toilets, work and breakout rooms, and resource space.

The board is planning to establish community gardens, which will allow interaction between local residents and students.

The site presented complex challenges during the planning process but Pat says they were successfully overcome and the result has allowed space for the board to plan a skateboard park and a learn-to-ride park, which will be built later this year.

BY Education Gazette editors
Education Gazette | Tukutuku Kōrero, reporter@edgazette.govt.nz

Posted: 6:30 pm, 27 March 2017

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