Senior school launches class rooms

There's no more temporary classrooms for Albany Senior High School students as they start the new year at their long-awaited campus.

A dawn blessing welcomed the staff and students into their new home before the start of term one.

The blessing was attended by kaumatua, staff, students, parents, Shore mayor Andrew Williams, architects, Education Ministry staff and representatives of construction company Arrow International.

Albany Senior High principal Barbara Cavanagh acknowledged all those who were committed to the project.

"The building is ready, the staff are ready - we just need the students to complete the picture," said Ms Cavanagh at the blessing.

Consent problems and delays to the building of the school's permanent campus forced the school to operate in temporary buildings at the junior school in February last year.

This year students will have new learning commons, theatre, music rooms, science labs, art rooms and office spaces.

The new building will house 450 year 11 and 12 students. It is made up of two levels with a two-level carpark below the building.

Builders of the new campus gave the school a carving by local artist Blaine Te Rito as a surprise for the school community. It was blessed by the kaumatua.

The carving was made from a tanekaha log that was found on the site and was created to acknowledge the spirit of the people who had previously inhabited the site.

The blessing marked the opening of the site and stage one completion of the building.

An official opening of the campus will be held later in the year.

- © Fairfax NZ News