The student roll at Mount Aspiring College (MAC) continues to grow steadily and staff and board members are working hard to accommodate increasing numbers.

MAC principal Nicola Jacobsen reported recently to the school board that 20 new students had enrolled since the start of the current school term. 

The number of students enrolled at MAC in July this year totalled 1150 students, and the school is anticipating an intake of around 184 students into year 7 again next year.

It’s also forecasting student numbers of 1,261 students in 2022 and 1,439 students by 2025.

MAC principal Nicola Jacobsen says a $33.5M building project currently underway will help accommodate the growing number of students and provide specialised spaces for curriculum areas.

MAC board chair Dr Ian Hall said the roll growth forecasts were “challenging”, but the rebuilding programme currently well under way is designed to accommodate 1,800 students. 

“We’re grateful that the Ministry of Education is planning ahead to ensure that the college is well placed to cope with future growth,” Ian said.

The $33.5M new build is designed to support a range of curriculum areas – arts, technology, music and performance - as well as spaces for the Year 7 and Year 8 integrated curriculum programmes. 

The top floor of the new build will become a ‘home away from home’ for the year 7 and 8 students. 

MAC student numbers are fairly evenly spread across years 7-13.

“The year 7 and 8 students at the college will be supported with specifically designed spaces which support a range of learning and teaching styles,” Nicola said. 

“There are shared spaces, with the ability for classes to work independently or together, and break out rooms for small groups of students or individuals to complete their classwork.” 

The former pool site adjacent to the school is currently being repurposed with temporary classrooms and changing rooms while the build is underway. 

It is hoped the site can continue to be utilised by the school in the future: Last month Nicola told the Wanaka App it was “critical” to the future development of the school.

See also: Old pool site transformed with MAC buildings

The college’s hostel programme, which provides accommodation for 30 students at year 13, also adds to MAC’s roll.

Nicola said interviews are currently underway for these places in the hostel and there is strong demand from throughout the country. 

“It’s wonderful to see so many young people who are keen to come to our college and to enjoy the unique advantages that we have to offer,” she said.

Student numbers at MAC are currently spread evenly across all levels, with 184 students in year 7 and 146 students in year 13. 

PHOTOS: MAC