New $6m block for Khandallah School, Wellington

The Government will invest $6 million in a new nine-classroom block at Khandallah School in Wellington, Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye announced today.

“This redevelopment will address structural and weathertightness issues in the school’s current main teaching block,” says Ms Kaye.

“The old eight-classroom block will be replaced by the new block, which will meet full innovative learning environment (ILE) standards and also accommodate projected roll growth.

“The project is in its early stages and all interested parties, including neighbours, will be consulted during the master planning process which will determine the exact location of the new block.”

The master planning process will consider opportunities to minimise disruption during building works; student and teacher safety; and the best use of outdoor areas.

“The Ministry is also currently working with the school to ensure the new teaching spaces will support the school’s vision for learning.

“The Government is committed to ensuring that students all over New Zealand can learn in environments that inspire and support them to achieve to the best of their potential.

“Around $90 million of school redevelopments have now been announced in the Wellington area since last November. This includes an $8.5 million project at Kelburn Normal School, and $12.3 million for projects at Newtown and Ngaio Schools.

“Over the last seven years, we’ve invested more than $4 billion in school property maintenance, growth and modernisation nationwide. This is more than a 30 per cent increase on the previous seven years.”

Construction at Khandallah School is expected to start early in 2017, and take approximately 14 months to complete.

Notes for editors

About Khandallah School

Khandallah School is a contributing primary (year 1-6) school in the northern suburbs of Wellington. The school has a roll of 450 as at December 2015.

About innovative learning environments

Innovative learning environments feature flexible learning spaces which can provide an open-plan layout or be closed off into traditional classrooms.

This allows children to learn in groups or work independently, helping them develop skills such as collaboration as well as independent problem solving.

Acoustics, lighting, heating and air quality are of a high standard, to help students concentrate on learning, and facilities are equipped with the latest IT infrastructure to support digital learning.