| Mahurangimatters 13 March 201338

Warkworth

4-6 Percy Street, Warkworth • Phone 09-425 1040HOURS 7AM TO 9PM | 7 DAYS A WEEK

Email: warkworth@nw.co.nz

100% locally owned and operatedProudly supporting our community

MAHURANGI COLLEGE EXTENSION

building future

Finishing touches are being made to a building considered a “turning point” for Mahurangi College.Carpet layers, electricians, painters and cabinet makers have been working furiously to get the $4.5m two-storey block finished in time for its opening on March 22.It includes a new administration block, commercial kitchen and the latest wireless technology.The project started in 2010 when the Ministry of Education decided the

Mahurangi College block biggest change in history

The new building at Mahurangi College is due to be completed

by March 22.

college was growing at such a rate a new building was warranted. Associate principal Hugo Vaughan says the school’s population has almost doubled in the past 15 years – there are now 1300 domestic and 42 international students. Projected growth based on primary school figures showed that was likely to continue at the same time college buildings had passed their use-by date.“Many buildings have been at the school for more than 40 years,” Mr Vaughan says. “They were used at Whenuapai as barracks for the US Army in World War II and have become old, leaking and beyond spending money on.”The Ministry worked out how many classrooms to build and the school asked for extras like a student service area, lecture theatre and computer suites.Consultant Bryan Perrow was appointed project manager, Jasmax were signed up as architects and Teak Construction managed construction. Local firms that contributed included Ian Hutchinson Structural Engineering, Mason Contractors, McMahon Builders and Wharehine Readymix concrete.“Being an old country school, we wanted to make use of our space by going two-storied,” Mr Vaughan says.“The footprint is smaller than it was with old buildings scattered all over the place which meant we could have a bigger courtyard and more space for students to relax.”Mr Vaughan says the new building is the biggest change in the school’s history. “It’s a turning point for the school. It has a big impact on the visual aspect of the school and the feel within it. Students are very excited.”

Wayde and the team are proud to be involved in the construction of the Mahurangi College New Block

Wharehine

Ph: 09 423 6044 WELLSFORD | MANGAWHAIMATAKANA

ReadyMix Concrete

for the

Mahurangimatters 13 March 2013 | 39

• Licensed drainlaying & pipe work• Driveway consultation & maintenance• Container hire and sales

For obligation-free quotes on all your Excavation & Metal SuppliesPhone 09 425 7799 | Fax 09 425 7798

www.masoncontractors.co.nz

Proud to be associated with the Mahurangi College Project

• Hiab hire• Excavators & Bobcat• Truck & trailers• Transporter hire• Pole hole drilling• Retaining walls

MAHURANGI COLLEGE EXTENSION

building future

PROJECT MANAGERSCONSTRUCTION COST CONSULTANTSPO BOX 302-796, NORTH SHORE CITY, 0751

PHONE 91 888 90 FAX 91 888 91 www.perrow.co.nz

As well as a smart administration and reception area with a rimu counter made with wood from the old buildings, the new block includes seven maths rooms, an enquiry learning centre, a graphic design room, computer server room and fully equipped commercial kitchen.The kitchen is considered state-of-the-art and has the latest industrial ovens and barista equipment. Several big Auckland schools have asked to inspect the facility once it’s open, assistant principal Hugo Vaughan says.“The reason we’ve developed this is because a large proportion of students are employed in the hospitality industry in the area. We’re giving them experience and qualifications in an industrial environment.”The new block has been fitted with hundreds of metres of wiring which will allow students to connect devices like iPads wirelessly to the internet and intranet.“Lots of working has been going into preparing the school infrastructure for ultrafast broadband and wireless capabilities to cope with a large number of portable devices,” Mr Vaughan says.“The school is preparing for students to bring their own devices from 2014.”There’ll be more outdoor space for students than before with a large courtyard including a mix of concrete trees and mounds of artificial grass.It hasn’t been all smooth sailing – the college has had to make do with cramped prefabs and at one point progress was set back by eight weeks when the wrong concrete was poured on the first floor. “Staff and students have been fantastic

Eyes on commercial kitchenThe new commercial kitchen at Mahurangi College is set to turn heads.

coping with it simply because they can see the end is in sight,” Mr Vaughan says. “The excitement has taken away the hardship.”Students will start using the new building from March 11 before the official opening on March 22. There’ll be a dawn blessing by a local kaumatua before a morning tea attended by Associate Minister of Education Nikki Kaye, local MP Mark Mitchell, councillor Penny Webster and local board members.

for the