The Haeata Community Campus in Christchurch has officially been opened by Prime Minister Bill English and Minister of Education Hekia Parata.

The school is expected to be an example of what the ‘future of education’ can look like with its flexible learning spaces and a flexible style of teaching.

More than 900 students have already enrolled at the Haeata Community Campus, which caters for years 1-13. The Campus also includes the Ferndale School satellite, supporting students with additional learning needs.

“The open flexible design of the buildings on the campus complement the style of teaching and learning that the school is introducing,” Parata explains.

“To see such innovation coming out of what was a terrible tragedy for Christchurch and New Zealand is inspiring. Haeata really is a learning campus for the future and for the whole community,” she says.

“I would like to congratulate the foundation principal Andy Kai Fong, along with the Establishment Board of Trustees for their work setting up the new school. I would also like to thank the community for coming together to support the school.”

The entire campus was designed and built as part of a $298 million public private partnership that includes three other schools. It was also part of the $1.137 billion Christchurch Schools Rebuild programme, which will see 115 schools built or redeveloped, including 23 brand new ones over 10 years.

“Thousands of children and young people across Christchurch are already benefiting not only from the most modern of learning environments, but also the new and innovative teaching methods the physical spaces encourage,” says Parata.

According to Parata, ten brand new schools have now been built since the earthquake, with space for more than 6,500 students.

“Today marks another significant step forward, not only for the local community, but for the rest of the greater Christchurch region,” she says.