College builders need votes
Te Poi Playcentre is the recipient of a new playhouse, courtesy of Matamata College.
The college is one of only two Waikato schools competing in the BCITO Build-a-bility Challenge. Seven students from the college took part in the challenge, which has now come to a close.
Judges from BCITO visited the finished playhouse last week as part of a two step judging process, the other step involves a panel of judges reviewing the design and planning.
Now it is up to the public to vote for their favourite from the 19 schools in the competition. People can vote online at buildability.co.nz.
The supreme winners will receive a $10,000 voucher for their school’s technology department, with additional prizes for the peoples choice award and best video entry.
BCITO Chief Executive Warwick Quinn is encouraging every region to get behind their schools and vote for one to be crowned the People Choice’s winner.
‘‘There are some fantastic builds in this year’s Build-Ability Challenge. The competition has certainly put the students’ skills to the test – it will be very close!’’ he says.
‘‘The challenge has not only given students the opportunity to develop new skills and experience, but it also plays an important part in encouraging students to consider the wide range of opportunities in the construction industry,’’ he says.
Matamata College technology teacher Ben Allen says the students worked really well together and the building of the playhouse progressed quickly.
‘‘A week ago it was all in pieces and within that week its taken shape and come together nicely.’’
Allen says in preparation for the challenge, the building team took a trip to Cambridge with the BCITO to see houses in various building stages.
‘‘When we came back we were doing some of what we had seen on that day, it was good for them to see it in real life and then build it on a small scale,’’ he says.
The college participated two years ago and built a hobbit house, which was donated to Kids Corner.
The BCITO works closely with schools and careers advisors and also plays an important advocacy role, promoting the the building and construction trade to young career seekers.