Ahuroa School hopes to complete a $150,000 outdoor learning space by mid 2019.
The ‘outdoor classroom’ has been in its planning phase for 18 months and stage one of three is set to be finished early next year.
Principal Michelle Nell says the classroom is a joint project with herself and the students.
“The students have designed their ultimate outdoor space,” Mrs Nell says. “The process included looking at the site, deciding what was to be kept and what needed to go, and then putting their ideas on paper to be given to a landscape architect.”
The facility will include almost 200 square metres of wooden decking, a bridge and tube slide.
It will be used for play time and classes, particularly environmental lessons, with the addition of a nature trail.
“As a Trees for Survival school, we will be providing plants that we have grown ourselves.”
The new building will be attached to existing classrooms, with access through bi-fold doors, and will include a set of stairs.
So far, $15,000 has been raised for the project with $10,000 coming from the school’s annual Fair, Feast and Fireworks event held in March.
The remaining $5000 came from a fundraising day at Gibbs Farm, on the Kaipara Harbour, in April.
The school will apply for grants to meet the remaining cost and the timing of work could be brought forward if any large financial contributions are secured.
Mrs Nell says the school community is looking forward to turning the concept into a reality.
