Students build on skills for competition
Six students from Nelson College have built a whare for a local kindergarten as part of a nationwide building programme.
The 16 and 17-year-old students participated in the nationwide school-based programme BCITO Build-Ability.
The students built a playhouse in the style of a traditional Maori wharenui for Waverley St kindergarten in Richmond.
One student documented the entire project from start to finish on video.
Nelson College trade building teacher Paul Daubney said the students were very enthusiastic about what they were building and took full ownership of the project.
The carving on the panels at the front of the playhouse are made from totara wood, hand carved by the students themselves.
The playhouse interior is constructed from douglas fir timber.
Daubney said he thought it was important that the students received full recognition for their hard work.
‘‘They’re really proud of what they’ve done.’’
‘‘The kindergarten was really positive as well.’’
The BCITO Build-Ability challenge has been designed to encourage secondary school students with skills in design and technology to think creatively.
The programme started on March 28 and was completed last week on August 19.
Students are able to get an idea of what it’s like to work in the construction industry through projects created for the challenge.
Every school that participated had a team of technology students involved in planning, designing and building a playhouse of their choice.
The winning team will be awarded a $1000 voucher for their school’s technology department and individual prize packs for each of the team members, as well as some silverware for the school’s trophy cabinet.
There’s also a People’s Choice Award where votes can be cast via the website at buildability.co.nz until September 9. Winners will be announced on September 12.
The school that wins the most votes will receive a ‘‘team shout’’ to the value of $300 and a framed certificate. The best video entry winners will receive a GoPro camera for their school.