Major development at Te Papapa School2 min read

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Excitement is building at Te Papapa School as the construction of a new building progresses on schedule, set to welcome students in 2026.

Principal, Robyn Curry, confirms the two-storey, six-classroom structure is being erected to manage the school’s steady growth. When Robyn started in 2008, the roll was around 240 students; today, it sits at 340, highlighting the urgent need for expansion.

The new building is a permanent solution funded by the Ministry of Education, with planning and design confirmed in 2024 and construction kicked off this year.

The development is particularly critical for the school’s bilingual unit, which includes intermediate aged children – a rarity for the Year 1-6 school. These older students will take over the entire top floor of the new facility.

The building serves as a Ministry of Education prototype, showcasing their solution for new classroom delivery. In response to the current government’s directive favouring traditional teaching spaces, Te Papapa opted to modify their original plans. The result is a structure with two floors, each containing three separate, single cell classrooms.

Robyn praised the contractors for managing the project with minimal disruption. “They have been excellent to deal with and very supportive of the school,” she says, adding that her oversight has barely been needed. While the school had few decisions to make, the project is running smoothly and on time.

Despite a brief loss of part of their bike track (which will be reinstated), the playground will remain accessible. The children are getting increasingly enthusiastic as they see the exterior finishing touches being applied. Currently, the school is using its library as a temporary classroom, but the new building’s opening will coincide with the launch of a new library, provided by the Nieukerke Charitable Trust, providing much-needed relief and modern facilities for the whole community.