Kuranui College is extending its classroom capacity following a 20% increase in the school roll.

Reaching its capacity of 560 students in 2020, the South Wairarapa school is currently building six new classrooms to accommodate a further 120 students.

Adbuild has been contracted by the Ministry of Education (MOE) to build six brand new modular classrooms this year with another four planned for 2022. The temporary classrooms will be in place for up to five years, while the MOE plans a permanent block construction.

Kuranui College Principal Simon Fuller is looking forward to their completion. “We’re definitely struggling for space, but it’s a good problem to have,” he explained.

The construction of Kuranui’s temporary classrooms is underway

Fuller believes a number of factors have led to the roll increase, including more people moving into South Wairarapa, less students heading north to enrol in Masterton schools, and the implementation of Kuranui’s innovative Ignite Curriculum and Inspire Time programme.

“As a small school we are able to be much more nimble, much more adaptable and have the ability to try out new ideas and initiatives. Last year we switched to a two-semester system, which actually helped us cope with the challenges presented by Covid.”

A growing roll has not only put pressure on space, but also on the number of staff. Despite losing four teachers at the end of a last year to either retirement or promotion, the school was able to recruit 16 new teachers. The 13 full time and three part-time teachers were all recruited from New Zealand close to home from Wairarapa, Lower Hutt and Wellington, and further afield from South Canterbury and Auckland.

Not only does Fuller have to learn more names, but he also acknowledges that a larger roll has the potential to challenge the culture of a smaller school. “Our amazingly talented and unique students contribute in their own way to the tapestry and layers of our school, and our staff strive to go the extra mile to do what needs to be done for our students,” said Fuller. “It’s important that we don’t lose our distinctive culture as we continue to grow.”

Kuranui’s New Teachers

Alison Purdie (Science, Physical Education)

Amy Johnson (English, Music)

Bridget Percy (Social Science, Spanish)

Caitlin Morris (Music)

Claire Vivian Greer (English)

Elizabeth Lee  (Team Leader Learning Support)

Elizabeth Verkleij (Team Leader Social Science) 

Emilie Fluer Neubauer (Technology, Soft Materials)

James Milford (Social Science)

Lee Flutey (Te Reo Maori across South Wairarapa Kahui Ako)

Oliver Greening (Maths, Science)

Olivia Hall (English)

Pania Smith (Social Science, Te Ao Maori, Maori Performing Arts)

Petar Grgec (English)

Stephen Isaac (Physical Education)

Wayne Longstaff (Art and Technology

Written by Catherine Rossiter-Stead. Article added: Friday 05 March 2021