Exciting Times Ahead
Thursday, 20th August 2026 at 12:00pm
Green Bay High School’s new multi-million dollar Science block is ready for action!
Designed by Jasmax and built by Watts & Hughes Construction, the three-storey building contains 18 rooms and represents a significant investment in science education and the future of our students.
Just over a year ago, (Friday, 27 June, 2025) Green Bay High School Year 13 students Olivia Cormack Neto and Maria Sawaya had the privilege of turning the ceremonial sod, marking a symbolic start of construction of our new 3-storey Science block with the guidance and blessing by Kaumātua Hare Paniora, followed by an an official 'ground-breaking' and start of construction the next day (Saturday, 28 June, 2025) with an expected completion date of October 2026.
Earlier this week (Tuesday, 18 August 2026), distinguished guests, staff, and members of the public gathered on a stunning, crisp morning just before sunrise to bless our purpose-built new 3-storey Science block - bringing modern laboratories, classrooms, and bright new spaces for Science, Physics, Chemistry and Biology students to learn and grow.
Kaumātua Hare Paniora led a dawn karakia and walk through the building, using water to purify the spaces and to set the mauri.
Setting the mauri (life force or vital essence) during a new building's blessing (whakamanawa or whakatūwhera) connects the physical structure to the land and local iwi (tribe). This ritual transforms a neutral or restricted (tapu) construction site into a safe, grounded (noa), and protected space for its future occupants.
This momentous dawn event featured passionate performances by Green Bay High School’s Kapa Haka roopu and Te Ahi Kaa students, capturing the wairua of the occasion and encompassing all with a feeling of immense pride. The ceremony concluded with waiata and haka, followed by a few words of acknowledgement by Presiding Board of Trustees member Dan Brunt, and the sharing of food (hakari) in the staffroom.
During its construction, this building was part of the learning experience at Green Bay High School, giving students opportunities to explore construction, architecture, design, engineering and project management.
For the safety of GBHS students, staff, and the public during the construction period, the lower Stottholm Road entrance was closed (with access provided only for Te Aratika student pick-up, construction traffic, and staff parking). However, with construction now complete, we are pleased to advise that this entrance is now open. This will help to ease congestion at the main gate, with student access via the lower Stottholm Road, the entrances at Firle Place, the upper walkway by 82 Stottholm Road, and the front entrance of the school on Godley Road.
