Pride on display at school entrance opening

Pupils writing welcome speeches, planting gardens, tidying up and helping to organise the official opening of Dunedin North Intermediate’s new $1.2 million entrance, shows a pride their principal has not seen before.

Principal Heidi Hayward said the pupils had worked  hard in the build-up to the opening of the new facility yesterday.

"We [the school board of trustees] got the building going, but they’ve been really instrumental in beautifying the area around it.

"They’re super excited. They’ve been like little buzzy bees out there, putting plants in the garden.

"I know it’s just a building, but for them it’s about reflecting what goes on in this place. There’s nothing old-fashioned or rumpty happening here.

"Previously, the first impression people got from our buildings when they came here was that the school was old-fashioned and uncared for.

"They’re really proud of the school’s new image."

She said the facility included a new office-administration block with an entrance built to face North Rd, and the school hall had been turned into a two-way space with a performing arts area at the front end of the building, and a smaller hall for school assemblies at the other end.

Health Minister and Dunedin North MP Dr David Clark officially opened the building by unveiling a plaque.

john.lewis@odt.co.nz