The house that the class of 2011 built

The house that the class of 2011 built

PETER DRURY/Waikato Times

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: Students from St Paul's Collegiate help load the house on to a truck so it can be taken to the Tihoi Venture site.

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Simon Yates knows how hard it is to build a house and he has the scar to prove it.

The St Paul's Collegiate student was one of 11 who were part of a construction class that built a house for the school's Tihoi Venture site.

Started in February, the completed three-bedroom house was removed from the school grounds and taken to Tihoi. The house will be used to accommodate additional students or visitors to the campus.

Tracing the scar on his right hand that he got during the house's construction, Simon said it was a great feeling to see the house finished because it was a clear sign of their year's work.

"Seeing it finally completed was pretty cool and I will always have a reminder – it was a bit of a learning curve and I just did the wrong thing."

The project was initiated by parents Gavin Jakes and Mark May.

Both men own construction companies and have several years' experience in the building industry. Their initial idea for implementing the project was to provide an alternative course for boys in their final year of school, with the view to providing a possible career pathway into the building industry.

The students have been given the opportunity to work on the project one day a week, with the class being split into two gangs and working on Tuesdays and Thursdays under the eagle eye of construction class teacher Heta Smith

- © Fairfax NZ News

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Benjamin Yates   #4   10:50 am Nov 20 2011

Look its my brother

Jaymz   #3   03:57 pm Nov 18 2011

Great photo shame the article didnt show other members of the groups ideas and thoughts on the years project. must say i like the photo of my self at the front with the crow bar :P

Greg   #2   01:05 pm Nov 18 2011

Excellent initiative and well done. Shameless plug now for Gavin Jakes as a highly recommended and most excellent builder.

Tracey   #1   11:29 am Nov 18 2011

A great accomplishment and the young men involved have every right to be extremely proud of what they have done. Thanks to the parents and a great school for enabling this also! What handsome chaps in the photo :P

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