Boys are kings of the castle

Tiaki Harrison, 18 (left), Tarzan Smith, 17, Bruce Mabagos, 17, and Isaiah Leach, 17 have been named supreme winners for their castle-themed playhouse. Photo / File

Students at Rotorua Boys' High School had more than one reason to celebrate as they started school this week.

Technology students Tiaki Harrison, 18, Tarzan Smith, 17, Bruce Mabagos, 17, and Isaiah Leach, 17, have been named the supreme winners of the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) Build-Ability challenge.

The students won all three of the national awards, including the peoples' choice and the best video for their design and construction of a castle-themed playhouse.

Head of technology Roz Wallis said she was "absolutely stoked" for the students.

"When we were looking at what the other schools had been putting together, there were some really good projects so we thought there was definitely tough competition.

"The boys were absolutely over the moon when they found out they had won. They have put a lot of effort into this project and to be named supreme winners just made it feel like all their hard work was worth it."

Twenty-four schools went head-to-head in the nationwide competition. The teams had to design and build a playhouse to be gifted to a local community group, and also maintain a video diary and blog.

Rotorua Boys' High School built the playhouse for Kidz Rock Early Learning Centre, winning over both the judges and the crowd.

The judges were impressed with the quality of all of the projects this year, and particularly the winning entry.

Rotorua Boys' High School has been awarded a $1000 voucher for its technology department, a GoPro camera for the school and individual prize packs for each team member. They were also awarded a "team shout" to the value of $300.

The students will deliver the castle next week.