Rangiora principal hails return to 'normality'
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
Rangiora High School principal Bruce Kearney is hailing a return to ‘‘normality’’.
After three years of Covid-19 disruption, schools are able to get back to doing the things they used to do - like field trips, school camps, sports, school assemblies and parent-teacher interviews.
‘‘We are re-focusing away from wellbeing and getting back into teaching and learning,’’ Kearney said.
‘‘For three years we were focused on whether teachers were well enough to come to school and whether students were well enough to learn.
‘‘We were literally sitting in school and thinking, ‘crikey, are we going to be able to open tomorrow’.’’
The ever present threat of staff and student illness and government interventions now seemed to be in the past, he said.
Participation numbers in sport was high and Rangiora Pasefika students had joined forces with Kaiapoi High School to compete in Polyfest.
Rangiora High School now had 50 international students from seven countries, with its international programme back in full swing.
‘‘I’m not saying Covid has gone, but we are changing the way we deal with it,’’ Kearney said.
‘‘And we are seeing the change with our young people.
‘‘They are far more optimistic, which is important because they have so much going on in their lives like social media and facing climate change.
‘‘If you ask the kids what they want, it is sports tournaments, school balls and stage competitions like ShowQuest and the Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival.’’
All of these things are back in 2023, while a school production was also planned.
For the vast majority of young people, school was the only time they got to experience those things, Kearney said.
The school was also busy conducting a review of its teaching and learning and its large open learning space, the Rakahuri building.
Kearney said a report was due to come out at the end of the term.
A second review was being conducted of the school farm, with a stocktake of the farm being completed this term.
The stocktake would help to inform some recommendations of what the farm could become in the future.
Kearney said the farm had shearing sheds which were not being used for shearing, so it opened up the possibility of offering a shearing course.
Alternatively, the school may decide not to have animals on the farm.
‘‘We are facing some pressure as residential housing is starting to close in on us and people buying properties on our fence line may not want to go to sleep at night to the noise of farm animals.
"But I will not be the principal who sells the farm.’’
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Heritage gem or dangerous burden? Bowling club’s dilemma with historic pavilion
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A Rangiora sports club is frustrated with the increasing maintenance and insurance costs of its 113-year-old pavilion, which can't be demolished due to its historic importance.
The Rangiora Bowling Club approached the Waimakariri District Council last year for help, but was yet to find a satisfactory solution for the pavilion.
It is registered with Heritage New Zealand and listed in the Waimakariri District Plan, leaving the club with few options.
The club’s ex-president Norman Hewett said the pavilion on Good St, north of the town centre, is unsafe and no longer fit for purpose.
Hewett said the council has been supportive and Heritage New Zealand has offered advice, but no funding.
‘‘Everybody thinks the building is worth preserving, but there is a cost and it shouldn’t be put on the bowling club.
‘‘As far as we are concerned it is not fit for purpose and we want to know how we can get round that.
‘‘We want to know what the community thinks and if they want to retain it, are they willing to pay for it?’’
The club has formed a sub-committee to explore what options are available.
Sub-committee member Rodger Wilton said the club has been unable to find any record that the club had a say when the building was given heritage status.
Built in 1911, the pavilion served the Rangiora Bowling, Tennis and Croquet Club, which originally shared the site.
It cost 945 pounds and was opened on October 28, 1911.
The three clubs purchased 1.25 acres on the corner of Blackett and Good streets in April 1905, but later parted company, with tennis and croquet moving to new sites.
While no quotes have been sought, Hewett believed it would cost more than $1 million to bring the pavilion up to code.
Ideally the club would like to demolish the pavilion so it can upgrade its main building and remain on site.
The stairwell was non-compliant and there was no wheelchair access, meaning the club was unable to use the upstairs facilities.
There are loose tiles on the roof which need replacing.
An attached building behind the pavilion is sufficient to meet the needs of the 140 members and for hosting the largest bowls tournament in North Canterbury, Hewett said.
He said the club is open to all options, including a land swap or selling to a developer with the expertise to restore the pavilion.
Waimakariri District Council community and recreation manager Chris Brown said the council is working through various opportunities with the bowling club as part of a feasibility study.
‘‘There are a lot of options to consider. Each have various financial, social and operational implications.’’
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga said it had ‘‘expressed support for the adaptive reuse of the building and supported the club’s intention to investigate options for the pavilion and the associated land parcel’’.
The Rangiora Bowling Club is keen to hear the views of the community. Email rangiorabowling@gmail.com.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Xmas market
Xmas market at
Northbrook villas
3 Reeves Rd, Rangiora
Saturday 16th November
10am till 2pm
In our clubhouse
Great variety of stalls
Everyone welcome
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