The Nukumea Primary School is nearly ready to welcome its students.

The brand new primary school is being built in Crozier Place, Orewa after the Ministry of Education saw the growth in the area, and decided to build a new school to accommodate the growth.

Principal, Steve Mouldrey, says they were hoping to be in the new building towards the end of this year, but minor setbacks (like the wet winter weather) have prevented this.

He is looking forward to ringing the new school bell when school resumes in 2024.

For now, as the last of the finishing touches outside continue, the children are being taught in the temporary prefabricated classrooms at the bottom of the school grounds.

Once the school building opens, the temporary classrooms will make way for a carpark.

One of the things he is proud of, is the playground, where the colours of the school are displayed - orange, green, yellow and blue, as well as a ‘river’ running through it, depicting the Nukumea stream that flows nearby.  

“We want to encourage outdoor play, so built a bike and scooter track around one section of the school,” says Steve.

Steve is super proud as the number of students has increased to 28 and is sure more will start at the school early next year.

The school can accommodate 420 students. 

A new parents board was also established, with five parents, a staff member and Steve serving as members.