A much-anticipated day in Clutha community education history went off without a hitch yesterday when the new $4.5 million Clutha Valley Primary School was officially opened.
More than 300 people attended the opening, which marked the end of a six-year campaign to give the growing rural community a school to take it into the 21st century.
The smiles of the staff, board members and pupils spoke volumes about what the day meant.
Education Minister Chris Carter said the school was the most modern in the country and was a significant Government investment in the most important sector in the community -its children.
Board of trustees chairwoman Gaye Cowie said the day belonged more to the children. The new school was for them and they had already taken great pride and a form of ownership of it, just a few weeks into its life.
In an address, Mrs Cowie said it had been a long journey for the board, which first pitched the idea of redeveloping the former 69-year-old school in February 2002.
When that idea proved too expensive, it started the process of funding a new school.
The result has set standards for new schools. The school no longer had classrooms - they are called learning centres and the ‘‘library'' is an information centre.
A large multipurpose area at the back serves as a school assembly point and is offered for community activities.
Clutha Mayor Juno Hayes described the opening as a very proud day for the district ‘‘where the dreams of Clutha Valley have come true''.
Schools, especially in rural areas, were the focal point of the community and the new school would serve the Clutha Valley well, he said.
He and others spoke of the tenacity and persistence of the board as it negotiated with Ministry of Education officials to fund the project.
Mr Carter said the sixclassroom school incorporated the latest in environmentallysustainable design with automated climate control.
‘‘It has features such as underfloor and solar heating, a lowemission wood pellet-fired boiler, double glazing and airconditioning. All of this reflects the Government's commitment to providing leadership in environmental design.''
The ceremony also included a drama performance by senior pupils, their impressions of the new school, a tree-planting ceremony, ribbon-cutting and unveiling of a plaque commemorating the occasion.
