Girls’ High all under wraps
A 92-year-old New Plymouth school building is undergoing earthquake strengthening and reroofing as part of a $500,000 project.
The B Block classroom building at New Plymouth Girls’ High School has been swathed in scaffolding for several weeks and will remain so for a few more months, principal Victoria Kerr said in an email.
The project is being undertaken by the Ministry of Education Taranaki Cluster Building Projects, and is expected to be finished at the end of term 1 in April.
‘‘Once school returns for the new year, a maximum of three classrooms on the top floor of the building will be out of use at any one time,’’ Kerr said.
‘‘The project team has worked hard to ensure the least disruption for the students, with much of the preparatory work carried out over the holiday break.’’
It is one of several maintenance and upgrade projects to the school facilities over the next three years, she said.
‘‘The school has been working closely with the ministry to review the condition and functionality of the campus buildings.’’
The original part of the B Block building was built in 1926.
Rob Campbell, acting head of education infrastructure service at the ministry, said the work involves weather tightness remedial work, roof replacement and seismic strengthening.
‘‘Some internal works were recently carried out in E Block and the combined value of the contract for both blocks is over $500,000.
‘‘B Block will continue to be in use during the works and we are working with the school and the building contractor to minimise disruption.’’