The Ministry of Education is confident the conversion of an empty space between classroom blocks into an extra classroom at Remarkables Primary School will ease pressure from rising pupil numbers ''in the short term''.
Contractors have begun transforming the wedge-shaped void on the first floor of the crescent-shaped classroom block into a ''flexible teaching space''.
Tenders were advertised in June and the first building inspection took place last week.
The ministry expected the new facility to be finished by the end of the year, and pupils would be using it by the start of 2014.
The $17.3 million school welcomed its first pupils in February 2010. It was designed for up to 460 pupils, but taught a record 508 last term.
''We're committed to working with Remarkables Primary School to ensure staff and students have the space they need,'' education infrastructure service head Kim Shannon said.
''We are working to provide additional teaching spaces, which will support increased pupil numbers until a new primary school opens at Shotover.
''We have moved some recently refurbished temporary classrooms on to the school site, which provides two more teaching spaces.
''We regularly work with communities to provide extra classroom capacity where there is population growth. This is achieved by using existing buildings, building new classrooms, relocating temporary facilities and, where required, new schools to meet the demand of increased school pupil numbers.''
Chairwoman Fiona Woodham said the school board of trustees was delighted to see work under way and looked forward to being able to use the new space next year.
It was also appreciated the contractors were working through the school holidays to avoid disrupting lessons, Ms Woodham said.
''It will help, but we know we need that extra space.
''It will be part of the new configuration of the school,'' Ms Woodham said.
''The board is in the process of looking at which classes and which pods are going into which spaces, so it's good to know we'll have that additional space in the mix.''
