School rewinds modern learning spaces
One of Aotearoa’s most ambitious modern learning spaces has officially been subdivided into single cell classrooms, seven years on and
$1.5 million later.
In 2017, Rangiora High School opened a gigantic $15.5m open plan building the size of 27 classrooms – “unlike anywhere in New Zealand”. Last year, a review found the noisy area challenging for students and staff.
Year 11 Sheppard house leader Aidan Haverkort said his peers now had “the best of both worlds” after 10 single cell classrooms were constructed within the space.
The previously “very distracting” building had a “calmer feel” during its first day open yesterday, but it was still flexible with open-air break out spaces in the centre, he said.
Rutherford house leaders Alyssa Garrett and Annabel Boddy, both year 11, likewise praised the updated area.
Alyssa recalled being forced to move classes when sitting tests in the building because it “was too loud”, so was happy to leave it behind.
“They didn’t really think about the fact that kids would just be everywhere, the noise was incredible,” she said of the open plan design.
Annabel noted the new walls added a welcome layer of privacy to lessons, but the space retained its modern feel.
“This is modern learning ... where it’s slightly more catering to the students’ ability to learn.”
After teaching in a new classroom on Monday, deputy principal Haidee Tiffen said “we’ve got the balance right” between closed and open areas.
“[Students] want to be treated like they can be responsible to go and engage in their own learning, but then there’s the opportunity to have the intimate sort of classroom space.”
Fellow deputy principal Paula McDonald predicted the updated floor plan would be “a huge success”, but noted the previous model was not a complete failure.
Different adaptations were trialled first “and there were moments were it could be really effective”, she said.
Over time the school noticed people did not enjoy staying in the building and student concentration would dip – prompting the official review that confirmed the community’s stance. “The relationships with teachers and students, the good teaching and learning – a space can amplify that or dampen that,” McDonald said.
“We just hope that these beautiful spaces can help make kids feel that their learning matters and counts, and help teachers be in spaces that really enhance that.”
McDonald noted good teachers could teach anywhere, but it didn’t help anyone to be in an open space with a “rumpety bumpety class and a senior academic class next to each other”.
She said Rangiora High School was “incredibly fortunate” to have achieved the $1.5m renovation – one third of which was funded by the Ministry of Education, one third by the school, and one third from its 10-year plan.
Principal Bruce Kearney previously said he was concerned for schools like Rolleston College and others “that can’t
even get the basics off the ground”.
“We’ve already seen in the news regularly that currently within the education sector there is not a great deal of money for new builds, let alone refurbishing classrooms that are functioning – if not functioning to the best that they can be.”
A recent inquiry into Shirley Boys’ High School’s modern learning spaces found they had “a negative impact on learning” – but “astronomical” costs were currently a barrier to renovations. “The Government’s got a difficult task in front of them and an immense amount of priorities they have to work towards, and let’s be honest – everybody in every sector is looking for financial support,” Kearney said earlier.