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Several local contractors chipped in for the building.
Smaller traditional classes have been retained but the building design can accommodate a “modern learning environment” style classroom.
The finishing touches are being made to Mangawhai Beach School’s 10 new classrooms ahead of a community open day and ceremony on August 11.
Students are already making use of the new buildings which have been built to cater to the rapidly expanding roll. It has grown from 350 to 595 in the last five years and is expected to reach 800 students by 2025.
In anticipation, the school has already cleared swathes of scrub from its grounds to reclaim room for five further classrooms on the edge of the school fields. Design of the additional classrooms will begin next year.
Last year, the school built four specialised classrooms for intermediate students along with a dedicated basketball court.
The school is said to be the fastest growing in Northland.
It is currently hiring an “early intervention specialist” to meet the increasingly diverse needs of students.
Other recently completed projects include a new artificial turf playing field with multisport markings and hoops. It is hoped a shelter will be built so it can be used year-round.
A concrete track was recently built, thanks to $50,000 raised at last year’s fun run.
In the long-term, the school hopes to raise $3 million to build a school pool.
Another project in the works is a boat ramp to launch kayaks in the surrounding estuary.
The school also wants a speed bump on the road outside the school to slow traffic coming from Tomarata Bridge.
