School blessed with new classrooms and makeover

Leigh School has ended the year on a high note with the official opening of two new classrooms on November 29, plus a range of renovations and improvements throughout the school and grounds.

Rodney MP Mark Mitchell cut the ribbon and unveiled the plaque on the new ‘Hauturu’ block, named after the island also known as Little Barrier that can be seen from its decks.

The combined opening ceremony and powhiri included a kaikaranga by Lili Crockett and Te Ao Rosieur summoning guests and parents onto the school grounds, and Jake Tahitahi officially welcoming everyone and performing a blessing of the new classrooms.

Principal Julie Turner said it was a very auspicious day for the school and one they had been waiting for since 2014, when rot was first discovered in the old prefab classrooms.

“We now have an innovative learning environment for 46 children from Years 2 to 6, working side by side, sharing teaching and sharing the space,” she said.

Board chair Chris Calder said the school had been determined to get exactly what it needed with the modular classrooms.

“We changed things to make sure it would work for us and would meet our needs,” he said. “There have been countless hours put in by parents and the community. Now we have a new fresh, modern learning environment that the kids love coming to. This school is the heart of the community, in the heart of the community.”

The school has also been completely repainted, the playground upgraded with new and improved equipment, the gardens revamped and replanted, and the school pool given a complete overhaul. The old, worn concrete and plaster lining has been resurfaced and tiled, new drains and filters installed, the changing rooms repainted and the sun shelter improved.

While the Ministry of Education funded the $400,000 classroom replacements, most of the furnishing, landscaping and pool improvements were financed by local fundraising efforts, including $2700 raised by ‘Love Leigh Peg’, a green plastic clothes peg that was bought and sold by local residents earlier this year.

Mr Mitchell acknowledged the efforts of everyone involved, and said Mrs Turner, school staff and the wider Leigh community should be proud of themselves.

“The school looks stunning, it’s a credit to all of you,” he said.