Papamoa College to invest in technology after $5m boost

Steve Lindsey, Papamoa College principal, is thrilled his school will receive $5.1 million to help expand the school to cater for Papamoa's growing population.

More than $8 million has been given to two Papamoa schools to help them deal with expanding rolls as the beachside settlement booms.

The Government has confirmed Papamoa College will receive $5.1 million and Papamoa's Golden Sands School $3 million for "significant expansions".

The money would come from the remaining proceeds of the Government's share offer programme, channelled through the Future Investment Fund, and would be spread over four years.

Papamoa College principal Steve Lindsey told the Bay of Plenty Times the funding was surprising but "fantastic".

"This is something which has always been on the table but what has happened is it has probably come a little sooner than anticipated," Mr Lindsey said.

At the moment there were no expansion plans but the school would look at using the money to offer more specialised areas to cater for increased growth.

"Like technology areas; those specialist subjects that require specialist rooms such as art, science, technology. It doesn't mean a completely new science block but it might mean we will have a couple more spaces. We have close to 1000 students. We are only built for 1100 and we are soon going to get that."

Mr Lindsey said the school had grown by 150 students a year over the past five years but the school roll was expected to balloon as local primary schools were "bursting at the seams".

"We want to offer the best possible education for our students."

Golden Sands School principal Melanie Taylor could not be reached for comment in time for this edition.

Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller said he was delighted. with the additional funding.

Mr Muller said the schools were relatively new but Papamoa's population growth meant the schools were already full to overflowing, "so this new investment is well-timed".

"This is a great part of the country to live and we see the large number of new houses popping up, which means our local infrastructure needs this investment to keep pace."

Education Minister Hekia Parata said: "This further funding will help meet roll growth as well as deliver school environments that meet the needs of kids in the 21st century."

The Government has pledged $244 million to schools throughout New Zealand. The money will be used to build seven new schools, expand four existing ones and add another 241 classrooms across the country.