Cambridge High wins third building challenge

24 August 2009

Cambridge High School wins national building challenge for third year running

A group of students from Cambridge High School has won the national BCITO 2009 Build-Ability Challenge for a toilet they built for Te Awamutu Cemetery.

This is the third consecutive year that Cambridge High School has claimed the top award – a group of students from the school won the 2008 challenge for a horse hospital built for the local Riding for the Disabled Group.

The Build-Ability Challenge, currently in its fifth year, is a nationwide secondary school-based competition requiring teams of students to construct a building project that is donated to a local community group. This year, 36 schools throughout the country entered teams in the Build-Ability Challenge – more than double the number of entries in last year’s competition.

The unisex, disabled-access toilet features natural lighting, ventilation and includes a baby changing table, and was built in consultation with the Waipa District Council.

The judges said this project stood out as it was the only project entered that required and achieved building consent. The were very impressed with the way in which Cambridge High School made the project a real community affair with input from local businesses, community groups and even support from the Mayor.

Waikato schools dominated the national competition. In second place was a Morrinsville College team for its construction of a picnic table for the pool area at their school. Third place was claimed by Hamilton Boys’ High School, for a barn-style play house built for the local Argyle Preschool.

BCITO chief executive Ruma Karaitiana is impressed with the success of the 2009 Build-Ability Challenge, which he says has assisted community organisations throughout the country.

“It’s fantastic to be a part of a unique competition that not only teaches school students about careers in building and construction, but also provides much needed support to a wide range of community organisations,” Mr Karaitiana says.

The competition provides students with the opportunity to experience the reality of a complete building project – from the commission and design stages through to completion.

Voting is now open online for the ‘People’s Choice’ award in the 2009 BCITO Build-Ability Challenge. To vote for your favourite school, please visit www.constructionzone.co.nz. Voting is open until 5pm on Friday 4 September.

ENDS

Notes to Editor

About the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO)
The BCITO is appointed by the Government to develop and implement industry qualifications for the building and construction sector. There are more than 4000 employers and more than 7000 trainees involved in industry training with the BCITO.

The Build-Ability Challenge is one of the BCITO’s initiatives to raise awareness of the career choices for young people in the building and construction industry. Entries in the 2010 competition will open from November this year.

2009 Build-Ability Challenge Projects

WINNER
Cambridge High School
Unisex, disabled-access toilet for the Te Awamutu Cemetery

HIGHLY COMMENDED
Second place
Morrinsville College
Picnic table for the pool area at Morrinsville College

Third place
Hamilton Boys' High School
Barn-style playhouse for Argyle Preschool

OTHER 2009 ENTRIES

Northland
Kaitaia College
Retaining wall for the entrance to Kaitaia College

Auckland
Glenfield College
Table and seating suitable for the Glenfield College restaurant

Green Bay High School
Deck and pergola for the Kakariki Marae at Green Bay High School

Otahuhu College
Picnic table for the Kotuku Unit at Otahuhu College

Waikato
Hamilton's Fraser High School
Playhouse for Little Feet Child Care Centre

Ngaruawahia High School
Sandpit for the Turangawaewae Kohanga Reo Preschool

Otorohanga College
Fence, BBQ table and bench seat for retirement village Beattie Home

Raglan Area School
A Waharoa where visitors can be welcomed onto the local Poihakena Marae

Taumaranui High School
Bench seating for the Papamoa Tennis Club

Te Kuiti High School
Viewing platform/deck on the Awatea Walkway

Bay of Plenty
Mt Maunganui College
Dual-purpose picnic table and table tennis table for Mt Maunganui College

Opotiki College
Fence around the Community Art House

Tauranga Girls' College
Pool seating for the Westpac Community Pool Trust

Eastland
Gisborne Boys' High School
Shaded BBQ area for the Rockforte Finance Olympic Pool Complex

Taranaki
New Plymouth Boys' High School
Small workbench for children at the YMCA Early Childhood Centre

Hawkes Bay
Napier Boys' High School
Outdoor activities table for Mary Richmond Kindergarten

Manawatu/Wanganui
Feilding High School
Outside seating area for Woodlands of Feilding rest home

Rangitikei College
Children’s adventure playground for Paimaire Te Kohanga Reo

Queen Elizabeth College
Boat-shaped playground equipment for Roslyn School

Waiopehu College
Enclosed vegetable garden in raised beds for Waiopehu College

Wellington/Wairarapa
Heretaunga College
Child-sized workbench for the Hutt Hospital preschool unit

St Patrick’s College, Silverstream
Bench seats for St Patrick’s College, Silverstream

Chanel College
Shed for school patrol equipment for St Patrick’s School

Nelson/West Coast
Karamea Area School
Restoration and renovation of a 1900s railway wagon

Motueka High School
Three two-man garden seats for Te Whare Pora

Canterbury
Lincoln High School
Outdoor seating for the Lincoln High School gymnasium

Timaru Boys' High School
Garden bench and equipment trolley for Riding for the Disabled

Hillmorton High School
Outdoor garden and seating area for the Chris Ruth Centre for disabilities

Otago/Southland
Aurora College
Gazebo-styled sandpit for the Tisbury Playcentre, Invercargill.

Maniototo Area School
Outdoor table and chairs to be sold or raffled for funds for Maniototo Area School

Northern Southland College
Pergola for the Lumsden Volunteer Fire Brigade

Tuatapere Community College
Woolshed and farm block project, to be completed late 2009.

Westmount School, Waitaki Campus
Kitten adventure playground for the Oamaru SPCA

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