After more than a year of preparations, Queenstown’s newest primary school opened its doors for the first time to 93 foundation pupils, ranging from new entrants through to year 8.
While there was reduced fanfare thanks to Covid-19, it was the sight and sounds of children playing which made it real for principal Tania McNamara.
"It’s been amazing, we started at 5.30am with a dawn blessing which was incredibly special ... and then all the children started arriving at 8am, parents and grandparents coming along to drop them off — that’s what made the difference," she said.
Deputy principal Cam Beer agreed.
Even on day one pupils were putting forward ideas for sandpit toys and suggestions of vegetables to grow in the school plant beds, he said.
"We don’t know what we don’t know until the children get in."
The school was zoned for families within Hanleys Farm and Jacks Point, with its furthest boundaries at the Remarkables Access Rd, Stoney Creek Rd and to the start of the Devils Staircase.
While stage one of the school build had capacity for 450 pupils, there was room to expand to 950, Mrs McNamara said.
It was hoped the school would be a hub for the community to take advantage of, she said.
"It’s a real community school and many parents have said they’re looking forward to their children walking to school like they used to do — that’s kind of exciting," Mrs McNamara said.
