Rebuild of St Anne's School administration and staffroom begins following demolition of original in Whanganui

The St Anne's School administration and staffroom building has been demolished and Shane Stone Builders have commenced work on a new one. Photo / Stuart Munro

St Anne's Church, busy as a place of worship, is also doubling as a school admin building while the adjacent St Anne's Catholic School is being renovated.

Staff needed a new space to work after the administration and staffroom area were demolished last week. Property operations manager at Diocese of Palmerston North, Corinne Richdale, said upgrading the infrastructure was necessary to match the school's increasing roll.

"The building was original from when the school was built and I think that would be in the 40s," Richdale said.

"It's had the odd upgrade, but no decent money spent on it."

Shane Stone Builders were doing the rebuild which will include a new principal's office, reception area, toilets and staffroom.

Building is under way on Raine St in Whanganui East and is expected to be completed in four or five months.

Richdale said the timing was right to commence the work.

"Cullinane College has had some major work done due to earthquake strengthening, that sucks quite a bit of money out of the system, so you can only do what you can do," she said.

"It means that the administration staff, teachers and teacher aides will have room to sit down and have morning tea rather than being shoulder-to-shoulder and crushed in together."

The rebuild costs are covered by the Bishop of the Diocese of Palmerston North.