First stage of new Rolleston College campus finally secured

Friday, 14 June 2024

Rolleston College is expected to reach a student roll of 3000 by 2030.

One of the fastest growing schools in the country has locked in the first stage of its second campus after months of back and forth with the Ministry of Education.

In March, the 1800-strong school revealed plans for its desperately needed second campus had been significantly slashed by the ministry - changes which it fought tooth and nail.

Following months of community dissatisfaction and meetings with the ministry, principal Rachel Skelton has revealed the first stage of the campus has been officially secured.

A science and technology block, single court gymnasium, two fields, three outdoor sports courts and temporary buildings should be completed by 2026.

Rolleston College head student Mackenzie Wills gives a tearful plea to save campus to Ministry of Education staff attending a public meeting at the school.

The school, which expects to have a roll of 3000 students by 2030, has lost half the number of outdoor courts, as well as administration and nursing spaces the gym was supposed to incorporate.

“It’s not everything we wanted in that first stage, but we feel it’s enough for us to be able to run the NZ curriculum and we’re happy that the science and tech block remains as designed,” Skelton said.

However, she was concerned the short term provision buildings might become ones “that sit there for 25 years”, and she said she was also in the dark about what will happen with the campus’ second and third stages, and when.

When those other stages are needed, Skelton said the school would be “putting a lot of pressure” on the ministry to make it happen.

There is still uncertainty about what stages two and three of the new campus will involve, and when they will be built.

Years of work had gone into planning the second campus, she said, work that had become “reasonably intensive” in the last few months.

Skelton said the school could not have secured what it had without the support of the community and students.

Stage two should include an English and art block, a performing arts area and a whare - a “focal point” of the campus.

Stage three will hopefully see social studies and maths classrooms, a library and a learning support area, Skelton said.

“When I’m standing down at that campus with my fantastic staff and learners and all three stages are complete, that’s when I’ll be really excited.”

Ministry of Education head of property Sam Fowler said: “Further stages of development will be subject to future funding.”