Mount Maunganui Intermediate School might have been around since the 70s, but 2010 will see the school take on a fresh new look.
Along with a $1 million makeover, a new principal, and a new board of trustees, the school is seeking to re-brand itself.
Principal Lisa Morresey has completed her first
official week at the school, and said along with "bringing the community back into the school," she planned to give it a makeover.
"It could be an absolutely dynamic place, and that's the goal," she said.
The school has $1 million in its property account, earmarked for refurbishing classrooms and re-developing toilet blocks.
Funding is also being sought to irrigate the school field and to further develop the school.
In recent times Mount Maunganui Intermediate School has been fitted out with a wireless internet network and 40 laptops computers.
Mrs Morresey said more computers would be sought next year.
Also in the pipeline are plans to strengthen ties with Mount Maunganui College and the wider community.
"Often at intermediate age, parents tend to leave students alone a lot more. It's a really exciting age group that has particular needs. We really want [parents] to be involved in the formative years of these young people, and bring the community back into the school," Mrs Morresey said.
The 39-year-old has moved to the Mount from Hamilton, where she was deputy principal of curriculum at Fairfield Intermediate School.
Her career has spanned 17 years, and includes a stint at schools in the east of London, and two secondments to Waikato University.
She is married to Darin, who is a technician and national touch rugby referee, and the couple have a son, Lucah, who is aged 3.
Mrs Morresey said that she was inspired about the future for Mount Maunganui Intermediate School, including the opportunity to renew and change, and to invent and create.
"We are starting a journey and I think it's an exciting time, a really exciting time," Mrs Morresey said.
