Gore High School is going to get a new look, one which aims to improve learning.
A major redevelopment of Gore High School is set to transform how the school delivers its teaching and learning, says the school’s rector John McKinlay.
The school will be working with the Ministry of Education to design 12 teaching spaces across two new blocks which will also include new drama and music facilities and a new library hub. It will replace older teaching blocks while the current music block and library will be demolished. The tech block will also be repaired and refurbished.
‘‘The design of these new buildings will provide flexible and collaborative spaces which will enhance student learning as we will be able to deliver the curriculum in more innovative ways,’’ Mr McKinlay said.
‘‘All of our students and their families have a strong sense of belonging in the Gore High School community. We will be taking our school community along on our design journey.’’
Mr McKinlay said the school had been looking at the redevelopment project for three years. Most of the school was built in 1954 and made of concrete which made it hard to modify rooms for modern learning.
‘‘We are also looking forward to working closely with the Hokonui Runanga and our whanau so that the new building design acknowledges tangata whenua and our local histories.’’
Kaitohutohu Tikanga Maori for Hokonui Runanga Matu Coleman-Clarke said they were elated to strengthen ties between Gore High School and their whanau. It was a way to bring in our matauranga Maori (Maori holistic worldview) and to help support the process of design, he said.
‘‘We look forward to developing, in partnership with the GHS whanau, the learning environment for our leaders of tomorrow, Mo te apopo te take,’’ he said.
Board chairman Brendon Harrex said the school had worked hard with the Ministry of Education to achieve a plan that would support modern learning in Gore well into the future.
‘‘The board has had a long-held desire to provide our community with more modern facilities that will support the current and future learning needs of students. It is fantastic to be able to continue our work with the ministry to make this a reality.’’
Design work will begin in the new year and is expected to take 12-18 months. As the design phases progress, a construction timeframe will be developed. It is hoped to start construction in the second half of 2023. It was too early to put a price on the project.
The school roll was just under 500.
