Debbie Dickson
About 40 pupils in years 3 and 4 start their new life of
learning at Queenstown's cutting-edge primary school today.
Remarkables Primary School takes in the years 3 and 4 for the
first time, as part of the $17.3 million facility's staged
opening over two years.
About a dozen year 1 and 2 pupils also start at their new
school today.
Seventy-four pupils were on the roll last week.
At least another 75 will be enrolled throughout this term.
Principal Debbie Dickson and establishment board of trustees
chairman Roy Thompson will welcome all pupils in a special
assembly at 9am.
Pupils will receive certificates and badges, before getting
down to work.
More than 50 year 1 and 2 pupils were inducted into their new
classrooms on February 4, this year, as construction
continued.
More than 80 pupils are enrolled now and at least another 81
are enrolled to begin this term and next.
The establishment board received the school's certificate of
public use last week, which officially enabled the building
to be occupied as a school and shifted its designation from a
building site.
"It formalises the handover from Naylor Love to the school
board," Mr Thompson said.
Deputy prime minister and Clutha-Southland MP Bill English
will officially open the completed school on August 27.
Queenstown businessman Sir Eion Edgar, founding chairman of
Queenstown Resort College and former chancellor of the
University of Otago, has been invited to be keynote speaker.
Ngai Tahu dignitaries are also expected to attend the
ceremony.
Nominations are open for the school's first elected board of
trustees.
The establishment board of trustees will hand over to the
elected board on September 2, after the August elections.
The school will expand its enrolment to next year include
years 5 and 6 pupils and in 2012 years 7 and 8 pupils.
The school is expected to be teaching 460 year 1 to 8 pupils
by 2012.
Its enrolment zone includes all of Frankton, Marina Heights,
Kelvin Heights, Jack's Point, Lakeside Estate, Quail Rise,
Lake Hayes Estate, plus various roads, contributing drives
and access roads.
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