Blessing makes way for new school

BY LEE-ANNE EDWARDS

After nearly 60 years in Thorndon, Kimi Ora School is moving half its students to a new base in Naenae.

Last Friday kaumatua John Wharehina and Teteira Davis led a blessing ceremony at the site of the $6 million facility, which is due to be finished in early December.

Comprising four classrooms plus a hydrotherapy pool, sensory room and therapy rooms, the new school will be built behind Naenae Intermediate, adjacent to the Naenae College netball courts.

Kimi Ora School was established in 1951 for students with physical and intellectual disabilities.

"Thorndon is a highly built-up area and there is no room to grow," said principal Don Stevens. "We have been in the process of looking for a new site since 2002."

Catering for pupils aged from five to 21, the move from Thorndon, which includes establishing another base at Evans Bay, will also allow the school roll to grow from 35 to 40.

The Hutt school will have 22 students.

Mr Stevens said with pupils attending from throughout the region, it made sense to try to find a site in Lower Hutt.

"This location is a winner, it's just off the motorway and the students will have a lot more space than at present."

The Kimi Ora School community is also excited to be getting a purpose-built school, he said.

"There will be mixed feelings about leaving our current site, but this is a very exciting step for us all.

"I want to thank Naenae Intermediate. We are very grateful to them for letting us share their land and look forward to working with them."

- Hutt News