School and Early Childhood Buildings Development

With the first Upper School class now in its second year, it is now necessary to increase classrooms to accommodate Classes 1-11 in 2012. There is also a need for extra early childhood rooms to address the waiting lists in both the kindergartens and the nursery.
 
Two more classrooms are essential in order to meet these needs for 2012. The College of Teachers has asked for support from the Whole School Development Group to bring this about.   Members of the WSDG have researched many options for expansion of both early childhood and the school.  They are working on two briefs:  a) to provide two classrooms ready by February 2012 of adequate size to accommodate two small classes of Upper School age, and b) the creation of a long term master plan for the entire education in environmentally and educationally appropriately designed buildings.  
 
The results of their research regarding the 2012 needs indicate the best option is a re-locatable building.   The School Trust is unlikely to be able to borrow more than $50,000 for this purpose so additional funding is essential.  Early childhood possibilities are wider. The cost of any purpose built accommodation is not likely to be less than $150,000 so, here too, additional funding sources must be identified.
 
With regards to the second brief, Christopher Day, a British architect and author of many books, who specialises in working on community build projects, will visit the school at the beginning of July this year.  He is to work together with teachers and parents to develop the overall concept for school and early childhood without being limited by current finances but with regard to what may realistically be achieved.
 
Christopher is supporting the school very generously with his time but his expenses need to be covered.
You are invited to support this forthcoming initiative - as well as the buildings projects themselves.. Please contact Sharon Marquart, the Office Manager on 817 4386 or by email via trss.admin@gmail.com.
 
Christopher’s workshop will be open to the whole of the parent community of the Titirangi Rudolf Steiner School and Early Childhood plus members of the wider community by invitation.

Mark Thornton
for the School College of Teachers, Titirangi Rudolf Steiner School