Andersons Bay School pupils and staff have opened a new chapter in the school's 153-year history with the official opening of a multifaceted learning centre.
Principal Hamish McDonald said the facility, which would act as the school's library, ICT suite and school hall, cost about $1 million and was a far cry from the school's former learning environment.
''It's a fantastic step forward into the future of learning for our children.
''Many of New Zealand's schools were built in the 1950s like our school - our school hall is over 100 years old and the school was established 153 years ago.
''The learning environment that I was taught in was one where no-one left the classroom.
''Now, children learn inside the classroom, outside the classroom, in small groups and in large groups.
''This facility allows us to do that. It's flexible. Furniture can be shaped and moved to suit different teaching environments.''
Mr McDonald said the development included a new toilet block, new classroom ceilings, a new fire alarm system and other general improvements.
''It looks fantastic. It literally looks like a million bucks - even better with happy children in it.''
He said the facility had been planned for the past 10 years, with several boards of trustees working to bring it to fruition.
''The space will now be a place of (relatively) quiet learning compared with the noise of a construction site.''
The facility was officially opened yesterday. The ribbon was cut by the school's oldest pupil, 11-year-old Morgane Torr, and youngest pupil, Negar Rashidinejad, who started school on Monday.
