Cullinane's new cultural centre is open for business

Christie Wallace at the sound desk with Zachary Patching (left), Phinehas Todd, Bowen Boswell and Hyndrick Sato in the recording booth at Cullinane College. Photo/Liz Wylie

The new Wharenui and Performing Arts Centre at Whanganui's Cullinane College is a hive of activity.

Students are learning te reo, doing drama exercises, playing music and recording their performances.

There are kitchen and bathroom facilities and plenty of space for noho (overnight stays) to accommodate visitors or when the school's kapa haka squad Te Ngākau o Te Awa are rehearsing for competitions.

"There are still tradespeople working around us," says principal Kevin Shore.

"There are just last minute things like the washing machine in the corner of the classroom waiting to be installed when the laundry is finished."

The new building, conceived by architects BSM Group, has been a 12-month project and was officially opened by Bishop Charles Drennan and local iwi leaders John Maihi and Gerard Albert on January 23.

The structure has been designed to fit with the style of other school buildings and has been built on the site of the school's original chapel.

Mr Shore said the 1973 Stations of the Cross carving by illustrious Kiwi architect John Scott has been incorporated in to the design of the new centre.

"It couldn't be moved so it has become an integral part of the new building," says Mr Shore.

There are kaitiaki (guardian) carvings at the entrance to the Wharenui and the Akutina carving which stood at the front of the school in the 1990s has been restored and given pride of place.

The words "Be the Best Possible Version of the Person that God Created You to Be" are etched into the glass doors of the performing arts centre.

"Marist priest Mark Walls uses that quote with the students and it is appropriate for Cullinane where we don't have a head student system and encourage all young people to be leaders."

Mr Shore, who has been principal at Cullinane College for eight years, is leaving to become principal of St Peters College in Palmerston North.

He will be replaced by Justin Harper who has recently been deputy principal at Waihi College.