New intermediate school plans unveiled

Blenheim’s new intermediate school campus has moved a step closer as concept plans are unveiled for the first time.

Covered walkways, high level windows and a unique circular courtyard are just some of the features shown on the new College Park campus.

Construction is expected to begin next year once a new artificial turf at the co-located colleges’ campus has been built.

Bohally Intermediate School Principal Nicky Cameron-Dunn says the school was designed with an emphasis on meeting the specific needs of emerging adolescents.

“We have retained lots of sports field areas and created a large multi-use hall.

“The design of the buildings incorporates the teaching and learning requirements we scoped in our brief to the project’s design team and will be fantastic spaces for our students to learn,” she says.

Once completed, Bohally Intermediate School staff and students will relocate to the new school campus.

The move will allow construction work on the co-located colleges to start on the school’s existing Mclauchlan Street site.

Designs show several views of the new build, with the school’s administration block and hall fronting onto Stephenson Street.

Visitors will use a semi-covered walkway to reach the teaching spaces in the centre of the school.

A second walkway entrance off Redwood Street brings manuhiri (visitors) toward the central Noninga Kumu building - the contemporary Māori heart of the school campus.

A significant feature of the buildings is the roof with high-level windows designed to bring natural light and ventilation into the teaching spaces.

Construction begins next year and the new campus for the intermediate school is expected to be completed in 2026.