Cromwell Primary School is expanding.
The school is set to start construction of its latest building project in a matter of weeks, a new hub which will house a four›teacher work space accommodating between 100-120 pupils.
The project is being funded through the Ministry of Education’s capital works team due to being deemed a roll growth build.
The school roll now sits around 360 pupils however is expected to reach 380 by the end of the year.
The school has seen a number of building projects in the past years including junior and senior learning hubs, and a multipurpose hall.
On Thursday a special ‘‘ground blessing day’’ was held at the site of the new hub with primary school staff and pupils, families and MOE representatives present.
Ngai Tahu kaumatua Darren Rewi performed a waatea — a clearing of the ground — with water and silt from the Kawarau arm of Lake Dunstan before Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan and Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean broke ground and turned the first sod of dirt.
Cromwell Primary principal Matthew McCormick said the ground blessing was a ‘‘really special day’’ and the ‘‘exciting’’ project reflected the region’s growth.
‘‘. . .It’s been in the works for quite some time.
‘‘What it will be is an innovative space and a flexible working environment that will cater to collaboration as well as catering to a number of different learning types,’’ Mr McCormick said.
‘‘This is a really exciting time for Cromwell Primary School and an exciting time for the Cromwell region, where our buildings are finally able to catch up to our teaching practices.
‘‘It will be a really important asset for our children now and into the future . . .’’
