Stella Lonsdale-Hope had a sixth birthday to remember - the girl from Quail Rise, in Queenstown, joined principal Debbie Dickson in cutting the ribbon and officially opening the new $17.3 million Remarkables Primary School yesterday.
Stella was one of more than 50 year 1 and 2 pupils who celebrated along with about 100 parents and grandparents, the school's 13-strong foundation staff, the establishment board of trustees, Queenstown Lakes Mayor Clive Geddes and the media.
The event was originally planned as a low-key ceremony to open of the first new state primary school in the lower South Island since 1981.
An atmosphere of excitement and anticipation was tangible among the crowd as they gathered at 8.50am for the ceremony and the first day of learning.
The group walked around the fenced area of the ongoing construction site to the "learning spaces" within "Flora pod", the first "learning pod" to be finished out of five to be built by term 3 this year.
School establishment board trustee Darren Rewi gave a powhiri of welcome.
Board chairman Roy Thompson said it was his privilege to welcome everyone to the new school, which was born from the labours of hundreds of people in planning and building over more than two years.
"The school board hopes that you'll love going to your new school and that you'll learn all sorts of important and fun things here that will help you achieve whatever you want in the future."
Principal Debbie Dickson told children she and her staff were just as excited as they were and could not wait to see what adventures lay ahead.
Mrs Dickson said "discovery" was a hallmark of the new school and she praised all involved for creating a 21st century school the Wakatipu community could be proud of.
"Let our first school day begin," she said.
Melissa Mitchell-Bain, one of two team leaders, sang traditional Maori songs.
Stella and Mrs Dickson cut the ribbon, then pupils and families entered state-of-the-art "learning spaces" in Flora pod.
Frankton lad Finn Mallon (5) and his new schoolmates each received a foundation certificate and a badge from Mrs Dickson and Mr Thompson as they walked to their assigned learning spaces.
All children attending this year will receive a certificate and badge.
Parents Kevin and Debbie Mallon said they transferred Finn from Queenstown Primary School because Remarkables Primary was closer to home, had a warmer and sunnier location and excellent facilities.
New pupil Hayden Thompson (6), of Lake Hayes Estate, transferred from Queenstown Primary School and said he was unable to sleep with excitement.
Father Jason Moss, of Lake Hayes Estate, brought son Ethan (6) from Arrowtown School.
Both were excited and Ethan was proudly wearing his official school jacket, Mr Moss said.
"It's a brand new school and top-line teaching equipment and there's no doubt about it, the location's closer to home."
Mr Geddes told the Otago Daily Times the primary school, which is expected to educate 460 year 1 to year 8 children by 2012, would give Queenstown five to 10 years of breathing space, given the growing demand for education.
"But the ministry have committed to finding a high school within the period . . .
"For the first time in some years we have a ministry understanding the growth demand in the district."
Mr Geddes said the ministry was looking at a range of sites for the next school, but was concentrating on Frankton Flats.
A report and an announcement were expected in three months, he said.
