Major upgrades to Queenstown Primary School (QPS) have been completed, and a major project for the school’s future has been announced.
On Tuesday, Ministry of Education officials, Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Glyn Lewers and Southland MP Joseph Mooney were included in the official opening of the school’s year-long upgrade. It includes 10 new classrooms, repurposed from Wakatipu High, a new junior playground, sandpit, astroturf playing surfaces and a whānau room with cooking facilities.
But that is just the beginning.
The opening also marked the official launch of "The QPS Project", an initiative aimed at raising $400,000 by 2027 to complete Queenstown’s oldest state primary school’s master plan.
Principal Fiona Cavanagh said the school would celebrate its 50th anniversary at the current site next year, which provided the perfect chance to ensure the school and grounds met the community’s needs for the next 50 years.
Six more additions are planned as part of the project — new astroturf surfaces, a celestial compass to create a central meeting point and teaching tool for mātauranga Māori, new outdoor seating and sunshades, upgrades to the senior playground, a bike pump track and new bike sheds, and a "mud kitchen" for the junior playground.
Ms Cavanagh said the project was founded with the purpose of reflecting the historical story of the school’s land, which was once an important wetland for mana whenua for gathering food.
The school had worked closely with mana whenua to ensure the work was done in a culturally sensitive way.
Local kaumātua Darren Rewi said the project would make the school an anchor point for the community.
"Once the outside spaces are in place, the school won’t have to bring in expensive consultants to speak about Māori history and the curriculum — all the learning opportunities will be outside."
By Olivia Judd
