New block reflects school roll growth

NEW BLOCK FOR THE KIDS: The South End School kapa haka group performs at the opening of the $670,000 classroom and library block at the Carterton school last Thursday. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

The opening of a $670,000 classroom and library block at South End School comes on the heels of "spectacular growth" in the school roll over the past two years, says principal Alistair Kay.

Carterton Mayor John Booth cut the ribbon on Thursday to open the block, which had been a year in construction, while Archdeacon Hariata Tahana and school board of trustees chairman Logan Bathurst offered a prayer of thanks and blessing at the opening ceremony, Mr Kay said.

He said the block replaced an aged library and classroom that had been declining in condition and the second new learning space had been built "as a result of growth in enrolment" that had boosted the roll to 140 children.

The roll today was about 50 per cent higher than the student count at the end of 2012, Mr Kay said, "so this has been spectacular growth in just over two years" that reflected the expansion of the town.

Mr Booth spoke ahead of the ribbon-cutting of the significant growth in the Carterton district and of the important role education plays in that growth. He also reminded pupils of the importance of education for their futures.

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Other special guests and speakers at the opening included Hurunui-o-rangi marae representative Ra Smith, Carterton Mayoress Julie Booth, property consultant Ian Rattray, school trustees, parent support and whanau support group members, students, teachers and non-teaching staff.

"A clear sense of positive feeling about the school continues to be evident and the students are benefiting from being in a positive modern learning environment, and a unique one with the two educational pedagogies and philosophies working side by side," Mr Kay said.

"Certainly in Wairarapa, the school is unique in what is offered and the school is rapidly growing a sense of togetherness, a sense in which all are able to enrich each other and learn from one another. This is a very rich and powerful asset as South End School continues to move forward."

Staff joined Mr Kay in a waiata ahead of a performance from the school kapa haka group, which comprises nearly half the roll.

Mr Kay said the colour schemes of the new building closely matched the block that was refurbished 18 months ago, except for the internal walls of purple and orange in the library that created "a warm child-friendly environment for the students. He spoke as well about the impact the new block will have on pupils and staff and on the school community.