Endeavour Primary School

Overview

Purpose-built Innovative Learning Environment (ILE) school, doubling as a Civil Defence Centre for the community.

About the project

Built between March and December 2014 (a nine-month timeframe), this project transformed an empty paddock into a modern learning environment with capacity for 600 junior school students.

Stage one included a dedicated teaching block with capacity for 200 pupils, equivalent to approximately eight traditional classrooms. A second teaching block, also accommodating 200 students, incorporated administration, staff and resource areas.

A key feature of the school is the arts and technology centre, integrated with a multi-purpose space and adjoining library, creating a central hub for learning, creativity and collaboration.

The multi-purpose space was designed to function as a hall and performance venue, complete with a stage, and includes a half basketball court, allowing the school to support a wide range of curricular and extracurricular activities.

Built to an exceptionally high standard, Endeavour School also serves as a Civil Defence Centre in the event of an emergency or seismic event.

The gymnasium incorporates 350 to 700mm thick concrete floors and substantial K bracing more commonly seen in multi-storey buildings, providing enhanced structural resilience.

Fosters also supported environmentally responsible design outcomes by incorporating recycled aggregate into the concrete and diverting close to 80 percent of construction waste from landfill.

Client testimonial

Endeavour School caters for the learning needs of up to 400 students between 5 and 11 years of age. The flexible learning spaces were designed to be light, airy, and stimulating for the students.

“There is no ‘front of classroom’ at Endeavour School” said Principal Marcus Freke. “The spaces are organised so students can work explicitly with their teacher, collaboratively with their peers or independently. With a vision of ‘learning without limits’ we wanted a physical environment to help facilitate this.”

A strong partnership formed between Fosters, the Ministry of Education and the Endeavour School community. Designed by Aecom, project managed by Frequency and cost managed by Maltbys, all parties worked collaboratively to ensure this vision for learning came to fruition.

“On March 14, 2014, Prime Minister John Key ‘turned the sod’ in an empty paddock” said Marcus. “On December 9, (the same year) we welcomed our students and families into our school.

“In nine short months, Fosters transformed our paddock into a bright and vibrant learning environment, which took the community’s breath away.”