Students and communities across the South Island will benefit from a $62.5 million investment package to build more classrooms and upgrade others, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced during a visit to Darfield High School today.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis significant investment will deliver 59 additional classrooms across the South Island and provide funding for upgrades at other schools. Seven of the schools receiving new classrooms are in Canterbury.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are ensuring that students are learning in safe, warm, dry and fit-for-purpose classrooms as their communities grow,\u201d Ms. Stanford says.<\/p>\n
\u201cChristchurch\u2019s western suburbs are growing rapidly. We are seeing strong housing development in Rolleston, Lincoln and Darfield. As more families move into these areas, we need to build more classrooms to keep up with demand.\u201d<\/p>\n
Today\u2019s announcement brings the total investment in growth in the South Island through the last three Budgets to around $300 million. <\/p>\n
\u201cToday\u2019s investment is allowing us to get ahead of demand, so schools are ready for the young families arriving in these communities,\u201d Ms Stanford says.<\/p>\n
In Canterbury, the Budget 26 investment will deliver:<\/p>\n
A new 18 classroom primary school for Lincoln South
\nFour additional classrooms at Darfield School
\nSix additional classrooms at Darfield High School
\nFour additional classrooms at Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo
\nTwo additional classrooms at Allenton School
\nTwo additional classrooms at Amuri Area School
\nThe next expansion at Rolleston College<\/p>\n
The investment will also deliver classrooms at four other South Island schools:<\/p>\n
Fiordland College with two additional classrooms
\nHeddon Bush School with one additional classroom
\nSouth Westland Area School with two additional classrooms
\nH\u0101wea Flat School with four additional classrooms<\/p>\n
We are also investing in learning support:<\/p>\n
Maitai School with two additional classrooms at the base site
\nAt Springlands School, with two learning support satellite classrooms for Maitai School<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are taking a practical, value for money approach to delivery. We\u2019ve significantly reduced the average cost of a classroom through increasing the use of standard or modular builds, which allows us to get spades in the ground faster, deliver classrooms at a lower cost and make every dollar go further.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis work backs our Government\u2019s focus on economic growth. Building and upgrading schools supports local jobs and keeps the construction sector moving.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn addition, we have also set aside funding to purchase a site for a future new high school in Queenstown.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition, four South Island schools will receive funding to address long standing condition issues. These schools are:<\/p>\n
Amuri Area School
\nLogan Park High School
\nSouthland Boys High School
\nSouthland Girls High School<\/p>\n
The Ministry will work with these schools to confirm scope and get the projects underway in the coming months. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is part of our wider suite of investment to grow the school property portfolio and make sure it is fit for the future\u201d Ms. Stanford says. More announcements on this are expected in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n
\u201cFamilies can have confidence that we are planning ahead and investing in school property when and where it is needed most,\u201d Ms. Stanford says.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Students and communities across the South Island will b 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