A long-awaited upgrade is planned for Hāwea Flat School (HFS).

A 400sqm building will feature four new classrooms as well as four shared learning areas, a kitchen, an outdoor wet-play area, and toilets accessible from both inside and outside.

Principal Tania Pringle said construction work will begin later this year and should be completed by the middle of 2022.

A small portion of the bike park next to the school will be needed for the building, to ensure retention of the green space in the rest of the school.

"The bike park trails will be upgraded as part of the development and the fences between the bike park and the school removed, making the bike park a seamless extension to our school grounds," Tania said.

The bike park next to Hāwea Flat School will be upgraded, with the tracks improved, the fences adjoining the school removed and the pine trees felled. 

The bike park fencing where it borders Kane Road and St Ninian's Way will also be improved and additional vegetation planted. 

"We also aim to redevelop the hut building area in a different part of the school in the future. The kids love it and it's a great 'learning through play' opportunity," she said.

Improving the school's essential infrastructure is another aspect of the upgrade. 

Six water tanks for fire-fighting will be installed and the wastewater disposal field enlarged and relocated away from the junior school playground, to the pine tree area of the bike park. The pine trees will be removed to make way for the new wastewater disposal field and the trees sold as firewood to fundraise for the school.

Pathways will also be built around the school to improve access when the grounds are wet and muddy.

Tania said the upgrade is a Ministry of Education project and planning began about two years ago to meet the educational needs of pupils in the school's area.

It will help accommodate the school’s growing roll, which is now at 290 and expected to reach 300 by the end of the year.

A master plan for the school is being developed with the Ministry which will determine maximum student numbers, which Tania expects to be up to 500.

PHOTOS: Hāwea Flat School