No more banging of hammers, squeals of circular saws or rumbles of concrete mixers - things have gone strangely quiet at Taieri College.
That's because the school's new $4.1 million administration and teaching blocks have been completed and were officially opened last Friday.
The timing is perfect. Senior pupils begin NCEA and New Zealand Scholarship exams this week.
There was a collective sigh of relief from college staff and pupils at the official opening.
For the past year, they have had to work in a somewhat ''communal environment'', with administration staff setting up temporary office space in the school hall, along with the school's library, staff-room and principal's offices.
Eight classrooms were also demolished along with the old administration block as part of the development, which meant pupils had to be squeezed into a school with fewer classrooms.
Principal David Hunter said school operations had been challenging during the construction of the new 1600sq m reception area, staff room, administration offices, library, information centre and eight new classrooms.
But seeing the completed facilities made it all worthwhile.
''We're feeling a combination of relief and excitement.
''It's been challenging over the course of the year, and it's been wonderful the way the staff and students have coped with that challenge while a huge part of our school has been reconstructed.
''When you're seeing things develop in front of you, it's worth waiting for.
''There were times when we wished it would go faster, but it's been fun to watch.''
The new facility replaces the school's A Block, which was built in the late 1930s and demolished last December.
The original school building became the administration block and had been enlarged over time, turning it into a ''rabbit warren'', he said.
The new buildings contained the latest technology which will be used to light and heat the buildings more efficiently.
The development also contained specialist classrooms, such as a new chemistry lab and a new physics lab which has a pendulum swing and can be blacked out so classes can use lasers and experiment with robotics.
A feature of the development is a large Maori carving called Te Mahau, which now takes pride of place at the entrance to the school's new library.
Created by Alex Whitaker, of Waitati, it told the story of the Taieri, Mr Hunter said.
''It gives us wonderful mana and identity, not just for our Maori students but for Taieri people.''
Mr Hunter said the college now had a 21st-century learning environment and it was a very exciting time for everyone at the institution.
