The Yvonne Williams Memorial Hall was opened today at Riverdale School in Gisborne.
The Yvonne Williams Memorial Hall was opened today at Riverdale School in Gisborne.
Yesterday marked a major milestone for Riverdale School in Gisborne when it opened the Yvonne Williams Memorial Hall, named in honour of its former principal.
“This is going to be a lovely place to join together our Riverdale community,” current principal Julie McLaughlin said.
Yvonne’s son Leo unveiled amemorial plaque and cut the ribbon to officially open the new hall in front of a crowd of pupils, staff and whānau.
The primary school has been developing a special needs unit over the past 10 years, and the hall was part of this project.
“It will mean we can have whānau gatherings again, school discos and whole-school gatherings,” McLaughlin said. “It was a privilege to be allowed to name the hall after our previous principal, Yvonne Williams.”
The Yvonne Williams Memorial Hall was opened today at Riverdale School in Gisborne. Williams' son Leo unveiled a plaque at the opening ceremony in honour of his mother, the former principal of the school.
Kaumātua Nepia Stewart said, “Yvonne gave 12 years of dedicated service to the school and worked tirelessly to uplift everyone around her.”
Williams believed in community, opportunity, love and unity, he said.
“Her leadership and aroha shaped this school, and this is her legacy.”
The hall replaces a building used as a library and hall.
Funded and designed by the Ministry of Education, it has a PMP (perceptual motor programme) room at the back of the hall for special needs students, a canteen, toilets for all genders and abilities, and a big space to meet and celebrate.
“There are lovely bifold doors to show off our new native garden, māra kai gardens and rugby field,” McLaughlin said.
Stead Construction carried out the work over several years.
“Stead have gone above and beyond in supporting us – they have helped us move classes, been on traffic control, worked through the rain and heat to ensure everything is perfect and finished on time,” she said.
“Nothing has been too hard or an inconvenience to them. They are an amazing group of people to work with, and we will miss their happy smiles and amazing work ethic.”
School kaumātua Nepia Stewart speaks at the opening of the Yvonne Williams Memorial Hall at Riverdale School in Gisborne. Photo / Kim Parkinson
Riverdale School has 140 pupils, including 55 special needs pupils.
“We pride ourselves on being an inclusive school, so the hall will allow us to come together as one school again.”
