Tukua ki tua, ki ngā rā o te waru e
Leave it for the future, for the days when food is scarce
Willow Park School has been identified by the Ministry of Education as a roll growth school. As the school grows in size so the environment needs to change to meet the needs of our students, to be in line with our school vision and to ensure sustainable facilities that offer the very best for students, staff and community.
We’re growing and improving Willow Park School for the future. As our roll grows, so will our school!
In preparation for future roll growth, we’re working with the Ministry of Education on how improvements can be made to our school property, including construction enabling works for a new classroom block to be built in future next to Rooms 5-8.
The planning for this project will be progressed based on our roll numbers and growth projections.
A new temporary gravel driveway was installed from the Eban Avenue Gate over the school holidays in preparation for future works on the new classroom block. This will provide contractors a safe, separate access to the building site during construction. The temporary driveway has minor impact to the bike track and lower field, which will be reinstated at the end of the project.
We know that construction of this temporary driveway has caused some disruption across the school and we’re sorry about this. The contractors worked hard over the summer holidays to complete the driveway as this work would have caused more disruption if undertaken in term time. We’re working closely with the Ministry of Education and the contractors to ensure effects are minimised. The health and safety of our students and staff is our top priority, alongside all learning experiences remaining positive.
Roll Growth Classroom Block
The new central playground sits at the heart of our school and in proximity to the development of the new block and future classrooms surrounding it. The playground has been a long time coming and work will start at the end of Term 1 and during the school holidays, so that it can be completed and ready for our children to use during Term 2.
It certainly is going to be a significant improvement to our current playground facilities, creating a modern and exciting playground space for our children and our wider community for years to come.
SEE THE DESIGN PACKAGE TO THE LEFT
Key information for whānau:
Works are set to commence later this term. The work area will follow strict health and safety guidelines, and will be completely fenced off.
The design of the playground requires the removal of a group of non-native trees in the current play area. To counter the loss of these trees, mature native trees will be planted in different locations within the playground area that will enhance the landscape and provide long term ecological and sustainability benefits, as well as providing shade in the area.
There will be some disruption to the normal use of the school buildings and grounds while this programme of works takes place. You will be kept informed about the construction progress and any temporary impacts it will have on the school environment through the school newsletter.
A community survey undertaken in early 2019 highlighted changes to our playgrounds and physical environment as the most popular theme and an exciting new central playground was approved and made possible by a one off Ministry of Education contribution. This School Investment Package money was allocated as a one off payment to schools to accelerate property projects to enhance facilities that regular Ministry property funds are not covered by, such as playgrounds.
The design for the playground has been completed and you can view the design, the layout of the playground and the story of the development of the new playground design below.
Design Process
The playground project has been developed following Ministry of Education property guidelines for the School Investment Package. Watershed Ltd. are the school property managers, appointed by the Willow Park School Board, that are responsible for the planning, delivery and review all school projects. Synergine were engaged by Watershed Ltd to undertake the design.
The initial project was scoped to include two main playground areas in the school that would be central the buildings, in the knowledge that the Masterplan of the school would be built around the central playground of the school. At the same time the school had embarked on a Ministry of Education led roll growth project to provide new classroom spaces, as listed below.
The initial brief was to redesign and rebuild the existing playgrounds in two areas - a smaller playground (playground 1) for ages 5-6 years old and a larger playground (playground 2) for ages 6-11 years old.
Playground 1 - the brief was to incorporate three zones into one enabling the space to flow together. The three zones consist of a wildlife garden, a formal playground and a sandpit.
Playground 2 – the brief was to remove the existing amphitheatre to combine the existing formal playground and create a larger more flexible play area. The brief was to create a vibrant, creative space which is safe and easily maintained.
Playground Concept Design: July 2021
The Concept Design was presented to The Board of Trustees and signed off in July 2021.
Playground Developed Design: November 2021 (FINAL DESIGN)
During the next phase of the design process (Developed Design) a costing exercise was undertaken. It became clear that with the existing budget from the Ministry of Education the delivery of the whole project was not possible. After meetings with the school, it was agreed that Synergine would progress with the design of Playground 2. Playground 1 would become stage 2 as and when money became available either through fundraising or from the Ministry of Education but would be removed from this scope.
As the delivery of the playground progressed, the Board re-assessed the project, particularly in regards to the removal of the trees, however the report below highlighted the need to keep the project as originally designed.