School now plans 2-storied complex

Alexandra Primary School has unveiled new plans for a school-wide rebuild, with its board of trustees now proposing a two-storied complex.

School principal Adele Gott said the new plans were exciting as they would improve not only the public face of the school, but also allow greater use of green space by pupils.

Most new schools being built today were twostoried to best utilise land, Miss Gott said.

She hoped demolition of the school's oldest block would take place during the September school holidays, with rebuilding of the new block likely to be in full swing by Christmas.

‘‘We would expect to be in the new block by term two next year.''

The new block would be located on roughly the same site as the block being demolished, but would have a new frontage facing Dunorling St to improve the school's community profile.

The block, which would be stage one of a planned school-wide rebuild, would incorporate a new administration area on the ground floor and a multi-purpose area above.

It would feature Central Otago schist on the outside of the building, in keeping with the new Alexandra Kindergarten built opposite the school.

The school has funding for stage one with tenders due to be let shortly.

Its board of trustees was continuing to seek funding from the Ministry of Education for a full rebuild.

‘‘We meet most of the criteria, but we fail on one point where two classes have been done up.

‘‘We are continuing to work with the ministry to achieve the desired outcome for pupils and families and the community,'' Miss Gott said.

The board would like to see the second stage completed within the next 18 months, she said.

- Jenny Collier