$9m grant to fund upgrade for high school

Picton’s only secondary school is looking forward to leaving its leaky buildings behind, thanks to a $9 million Government grant.

Queen Charlotte College students say the upgrade is long overdue for the 50-year-old buildings where they swelter in the summer, shiver in the winter and sidestep puddles on the gym floor when it rains.

Year 10 student Zeudi Pearse said there was usually a towel on the gym floor to make sure nobody slipped.

‘‘I’ve actually noticed buckets under leaks in lots of classrooms.’’

Principal Betty Whyte said there was a drip in the deputy principal’s office that had destroyed two computers.

‘‘We’ve got a pot plant in the admin block in just the right place to disguise the leak. We never have to water it,’’ Whyte said.

‘‘We just keep having to redo the carpets.

‘‘There’s spots like that all over the school.’’

The school sought extra funding to fix the leaky roofs last year, but the cost was so high they decided to ask the Ministry of Education for a wider refurbishment.

The building frames would stay, but some corridors would become breakout spaces and access for people in wheelchairs would be improved.

Year 9 students Jahmilia Norgate and Taylor Clark were hoping for beanbags, large doors to let the breeze through, more murals and better bathroom cubicles.

Year 10 student Abigail Ferguson said she would like to get rid of the old-fashioned radiator heaters that ran along the walls of each classroom.

Next year the wider community would be able to contribute ideas for the new classrooms, and teachers would visit modern classrooms around the country.

Construction should start in 2021, Whyte said.