Rebuild begins at Papatoetoe Central School

By Education Gazette editors

Issue: Volume 95, Number 19

Posted: 25 October 2016

Reference #: 1H9d4v

The Ministry of Education has provided $4.2 million for a new, two-storey classroom block at Papatoetoe Central School, one of the country’s oldest schools.

The new block will have eight learning spaces and will replace six older classrooms. It will also provide two additional classrooms, to accommodate expected growth in the school roll.

Associate principal Ross McGowan says feedback from teachers and students about rebuilding with flexible learning spaces has been positive.

He says students can see the advantages of having a space which supports them to collaborate more with others, or work independently. It also gives them the opportunity to work with different teachers and to see teachers collaborating as well.

The new learning spaces at Papatoetoe Central School will have high standards of lighting, heating, ventilation and acoustics, which will contribute to a great learning environment for students.

Ross says teachers at Papatoetoe Central School are looking forward to taking advantage of the new learning spaces to try out new approaches in their teaching practice.

Papatoetoe is a growing community and by next year the school roll is expected to reach 750 students. This development will ensure the school has the space to support an expanding local community.

Construction at Papatoetoe Central School is expected to be complete by June 2017.