Making small and remote schools, warmer, brighter, safer and quieter. We're thrilled to mark a significant achievement in our Ngā Iti Kahurangi journey – the 250th school transformation at Whangaehu School with the Ministry of Education.
Ngā iti Kahurangi is the te reo name for the programme and directly translates to “small and highly-valued treasures”.
About the Programme:
Ngā Iti Kahurangi started as a 4-year programme for approximately 585 schools in conjunction with the wider Government target of all schools having quality learning environments by 2030.
As part of Budget 2023, the Minister of Finance announced an extension of the programme to 175 small schools.
The programme includes:
The Tomorrow’s Schools Review noted that small or remote schools face unique property challenges. For example, the high cost of getting building contractors and the significant time that boards and principals spend managing property projects.
Ngā Iti Kahurangi seeks to improve lighting, noise levels, temperature, energy efficiency and comfort.
Improvements include LEDs, acoustic panels in teaching spaces, thermal insulation in ceilings, residual current devices (RCDs) and carpet tiles in primary school teaching spaces.
At Whangaehu School, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education New Zealand, we've upgraded the learning environment with a full makeover:
How it works
Three of the planned improvements may be installed school-wide (LEDs, insulation and RCDs).
We have standards for light levels and acoustic performance in teaching spaces. Information gathered during a site visit will tell us how bright or dark a room is, and how noisy it gets. New lighting and acoustic panels will be installed depending on how a teaching space performs.
To determine if carpet tiles are required, the programme assesses the condition, age and thickness of existing carpet in teaching spaces at primary schools.
We're on a mission to create better learning spaces for our future generations and this 250th milestone brings us closer.
Find out more about the Ngā Iti Kahurangi programme here: https://www.education.govt.nz/our-work/changes-in-education/nga-iti-kahurangi/
16 November, 2023
In September, Phil was fortunate to be invited to speak on Passive Optical LAN in the Aged Care Sector at the BICSI (Building Industry Consulting Service International) Fall conference in Las Vegas attended by 2,400 attendees, exhibitors, visitors and guests.
Technologies
04 October, 2023
Schools can be affected when the IT network and internet fails resulting in closure and all that this entails for travelling students. Torque IP was proud to be part of the pilot program with the Ministry of Education to deliver the best, most modern education possible.
Technologies