Governor-General visit to Porirua College

His Excellency The Hon Sir Anand Satyanand, GNZM, QSO Governor-General of New Zealand will open three new school buildings at Porirua College on Tuesday 23 February. The buildings are stage 2 of a four stage building programme which will see the whole school being rebuilt and refurbished to reflect modern learning methods. Porirua College is the first college in New Zealand to adopt this 21st century model.

The Governor-General will be welcomed to the school with a powhiri, and later be entertained by performances from the Cook Islands, Tokelauan, Tuvaluan and Samoan cultural groups. At a ribbon cutting ceremony he will officially declare open all three new learning houses: Kenepuru, Rangituhi and Whitireia.

These new learning houses will continue to enhance Porirua College’s academic results. While over recent years the school’s literacy and numeracy pass rates have been higher than expected – the result of professional and dedicated staff using excellent teaching techniques that promote academic learning, there is still room for improvement. The Board of Trustees Chairperson, Mrs Povalu Kelemete said, “the modern furniture and state of the art equipment that has been installed in the new houses will further enhance the students’ learning opportunities. We also expect improved attendance with this inviting environment.”

Home/school links have improved by employing well respected community liaison officers and by having a strong Board of Trustees and parent groups, said Principal Susanne Jungersen. “Our ERO reports over the years have been excellent and have noted our strong home/school partnerships especially.

Students have been excited since their return to school, said Ms Jungersen, “the house system which operates with year 9 to year 13 students together offers opportunities for peer support. And we aim to build on this new, technologically smart school environment.”

Porirua College, in Porirua East’s Cannons Creek, is a well regarded state coeducational school and is the second largest secondary school in the Porirua Basin. Its roll has
continued to rise over recent years and is now approaching a roll of 650 students, and it implemented an enrolment scheme on 8 February.

Stage 3, the building of a new administration block, will commence later this year. The fourth learning house, Tangare, will be rebuilt as part of stage 4.

This is not the first time a New Zealand Governor-General has visited the school. His Excellency the Governor-General Sir Arthur Porritt opened Porirua College in 1968.

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