Big changes for Arowhenua bilingual school
A several million-dollar construction project at South Canterbury’s only bilingual school has the potential to increase its roll by 25 per cent.
As Arowhenua Ma¯ori School in Temuka celebrated its 125th anniversary at the weekend, principal Bronwyn Te KoetiJames told Stuff that work on the new complex that will replace the existing classrooms will begin in a couple of months.
The complex has been in the planning for nearly 18 months and Te Koeti-James said it will allow the school to cater for up to 80 pupils (current capacity 60) with its current roll 47.
Te Koeti-James said it had been a collaborative effort, with the lead architect visiting the school and getting suggestions from the pupils. While she could not give a cost estimate, adding
the project was ‘‘significant’’, she revealed that getting the old buildings up to standard would have cost $500,000 to $800,000 ‘‘and that’s more than 10 per cent of our total budget.’’
‘‘It’s a very special time for us. ‘‘We’re the only school in the region that is bilingual and the Ministry of Education has recognised our importance.’’
Te Koeti-James said the pupils and teachers will stay in the old buildings for the next two years while work on the new complex is completed. The school was hoping to break ground on the site late this year.
‘‘We’ve left the decision over the old buildings with the kauma¯tua whether it’s deconstructed or shifted onto another place,’’ she said. Te Koeti-James said the new complex would have a hall, library, kitchen and four learning hubs.
‘‘It’s all going to be under one huge roof. The ministry acknowledged our significance, and our rich and strong history.
‘‘The ministry is working alongside the local runanga to ensure the building has a complete cultural narrative.
‘‘It’s beautiful, the manifestations are being designed to include our vision, even the brickwork will have a story.’’
Te Koeti-James said the school had made noises to the ministry about the need for new facilities, and they were delighted that they responded in kind.
‘‘The ministry could see that we were in need of new facilities. ‘‘For me, I’m looking forward to us being able to deliver how we teach in an environment that suits us. It’s been a good 18 months we’ve been on this journey.’’ In 2017, the school became officially bilingual, teaching Te Reo Maori for about 50-80 per cent of the curriculum.
‘‘This has always been an aspiration for our whanau. It’s interesting to note that Te Reo is now becoming a requirement through schools nationwide.’’