Latest news with #schoolproperty
RNZ News
18-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
New agency to manage school property announced
A new school property entity is being set up to manage the building, maintaining, and administering the school property portfolio. Education Minister Erica Stanford who is visiting Northcross Intermediate School in Auckland, made the announcement during school visit on Friday. The new Crown agent will sit separate from the Ministry of Education, which will keep responsibility for education policy and network decisions. Announcing the launch of the New Zealand School Property Agency, Stanford said schools had been kept waiting for classrooms and refurbishments they badly needed. "The government inherited a school property system bordering on a crisis. The previous government made big promises to school communities, but its unfunded, bespoke, expensive projects weren't deliverable," she said. Education Minister Erica Stanford Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii A ministerial advisory group, chaired by former National minister Murray McCully, has been tasked with providing advice on the transition to the new agency. McCully had earlier led an inquiry into the school property system, which Stanford said had helped inform the new approach. She said the inquiry's report had found the ministry's "processes for managing the school property portfolio needed overhauling, that schools struggled with a lack of transparency, unclear prioritisation of projects, and inefficient project planning and delivery". Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop said the Crown agent would balance flexibility, transparency, and ministerial direction. "With the establishment of the NZSPA, schools can expect improved project delivery and communication, better value for money, and an increased level of transparency around decision making," he said. Alongside the announcement, Stanford confirmed a $120 million investment in classrooms across Auckland, funded through the Budget: Bucklands Beach Intermediate - 2 classrooms Helensville School - 1 classroom Kauri Flats School - 4 classrooms Lincoln Heights School - 6 classrooms Macleans College - 8 classrooms Massey High School - 8 classrooms Mission Heights Primary School - 6 classrooms Mountain View School - 6 classrooms Northcross Intermediate - 8 classrooms One Tree Hill College - 6 classrooms Orewa College - 12 classrooms Panama Road School - 4 classrooms Papakura Normal School - 10 classrooms (in addition to the two learning support classrooms already announced) Papatoetoe Central School - 4 classrooms Papatoetoe East School - 4 classrooms Papatoetoe Intermediate - 6 classrooms Papatoetoe South School - 6 classrooms Puhinui School - 2 classrooms Pukekohe North School - 4 classrooms Rangitoto College - 10 classrooms Te Kura o Pātiki Rosebank School - 4 classrooms Takanini School - 4 classrooms Tuakau College - 6 classrooms Whenuapai School - 6 classrooms Stanford said all projects were expected to begin construction in the next 12 months. Earlier this week the minister announced the government was pulling the plug on open plan classrooms , with Stanford saying they were too noisy and distracting for many children. She also announced a plan to double the economic benefits brought into the country by international students . From November, eligible student-visa holders will be able to work more hours a week, from 20 to 25 hours, and work rights will be extended to all tertiary students in approved exchange programmes. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
18-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Watch live: New agency to manage school property announced
A new school property entity is being set up to manage the building, maintaining, and administering the school property portfolio. Education Minister Erica Stanford who is visiting Northcross Intermediate School in Auckland, made the announcement during school visit on Friday. The new Crown agent will sit separate from the Ministry of Education, which will keep responsibility for education policy and network decisions. Announcing the launch of the New Zealand School Property Agency, Stanford said schools had been kept waiting for classrooms and refurbishments they badly needed. "The government inherited a school property system bordering on a crisis. The previous government made big promises to school communities, but its unfunded, bespoke, expensive projects weren't deliverable," she said. Education Minister Erica Stanford Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii A ministerial advisory group, chaired by former National minister Murray McCully, has been tasked with providing advice on the transition to the new agency. McCully had earlier led an inquiry into the school property system, which Stanford said had helped inform the new approach. She said the inquiry's report had found the ministry's "processes for managing the school property portfolio needed overhauling, that schools struggled with a lack of transparency, unclear prioritisation of projects, and inefficient project planning and delivery". Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop said the Crown agent would balance flexibility, transparency, and ministerial direction. "With the establishment of the NZSPA, schools can expect improved project delivery and communication, better value for money, and an increased level of transparency around decision making," he said. Alongside the announcement, Stanford confirmed a $120 million investment in classrooms across Auckland, funded through the Budget: Bucklands Beach Intermediate - 2 classrooms Helensville School - 1 classroom Kauri Flats School - 4 classrooms Lincoln Heights School - 6 classrooms Macleans College - 8 classrooms Massey High School - 8 classrooms Mission Heights Primary School - 6 classrooms Mountain View School - 6 classrooms Northcross Intermediate - 8 classrooms One Tree Hill College - 6 classrooms Orewa College - 12 classrooms Panama Road School - 4 classrooms Papakura Normal School - 10 classrooms (in addition to the two learning support classrooms already announced) Papatoetoe Central School - 4 classrooms Papatoetoe East School - 4 classrooms Papatoetoe Intermediate - 6 classrooms Papatoetoe South School - 6 classrooms Puhinui School - 2 classrooms Pukekohe North School - 4 classrooms Rangitoto College - 10 classrooms Te Kura o Pātiki Rosebank School - 4 classrooms Takanini School - 4 classrooms Tuakau College - 6 classrooms Whenuapai School - 6 classrooms Stanford said all projects were expected to begin construction in the next 12 months. Earlier this week the minister announced the government was pulling the plug on open plan classrooms , with Stanford saying they were too noisy and distracting for many children. She also announced a plan to double the economic benefits brought into the country by international students . From November, eligible student-visa holders will be able to work more hours a week, from 20 to 25 hours, and work rights will be extended to all tertiary students in approved exchange programmes. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
28-05-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Government plans three new primary schools in Canterbury
Education Minister Erica Stanford says all Kiwi kids deserve to thrive at school, "that starts with warm, safe and dry classrooms". Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi The government is planning three new primary schools in Canterbury. Two of the schools are planned for the rapidly expanding Selwyn District, while another is planned for the suburb of Halswell in Christchurch. At an announcement in Lincoln, Education Minister Erica Stanford said the $161 million investment in school property in the region would deliver a new 12-classroom primary school at Prebbleton, 52 classrooms at existing schools in Selwyn and the purchase of land for another primary school in Lincoln. There was also funding for 51 new classrooms in Canterbury and the school in Halswell. "The Selwyn community has been loud and clear, they don't have enough classroom space to keep up with demand. We are acting decisively to address this through a comprehensive growth plan to provide certainty and ensure more children can flourish," Stanford said. "Delivering this scale of projects in Canterbury was made possible by the government driving efficiencies in school property delivery. The use of standardised building designs, offsite manufacturing, and streamlining procurement have lowered the average cost of a classroom by 28 per cent. This has allowed 30 per cent more classrooms to be delivered last year compared to the year before. "All Kiwi kids deserve to thrive at school, that starts with warm, safe and dry classrooms. Our priority is getting spades in the ground as soon as possible so schools, families and communities have certainty and benefit sooner." The full list of projects:
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Yahoo
Northern California police warn of ‘dangerous' TikTok challenge in schools
( — A 'dangerous' new trend on TikTok is spreading through Northern Schools, and police are warning parents to be on the lookout. The trend, referred to as the 'Chromebook Challenge,' is the latest activity promoted on TikTok, according to the Auburn Police Department. 'Students are trying to damage their school-issued Chromebooks by inserting sharp objects into the keyboard or charging ports to make them malfunction, often causing the devices to smoke,' APD said. The challenge is seemingly harmless, however, it can start a fire and cause injuries, according to APD. Additionally, students who participate in the challenge risk suspension, expulsion, or criminal charges. The damage to each Chromebook cost schools about $500. Police search for 2-year-old child in Northern California amid several 911 calls Police advised parents to talk to their kids about online challenges, monitor their social media, and encourage them to make responsible decisions and respect school property. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
TikTok laptop trend that's led to safety concerns could also cost parents money
Are kids destroying laptops just for fun? Unfortunately, yes, and it could cost parents. A new viral TikTok trend began earlier this week when a user shared a video in which they use paper clips or mechanical pencils and stick the lead into the USB port of a Chromebook, which causes the computer to smoke. Students who have participated in the trend have quickly learned that not only does the computer smoke, in some cases it has caught fire, causing school evacuations around the country. The trend involves frying school-issued laptops. So students are not always destroying their personal computers; they are destroying school property. Intentionally damaging a school-issued device, however, is against most school policies and will result in a fine to replace the device. One Indiana School district, for example, told parents they'd be charged $380 to replace devices. Parents, be sure to talk to your student about not setting things on fire — especially school-issued laptops — to keep everyone at school safe and to avoid an unnecessary fine. Katie Wiseman covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Contact her at klwiseman@ Follow her on Bluesky @katiewiseman. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: 'Chromebook challenge' on TikTok has led to destroyed computers
