Below is a breif history of how Rangiora New Life School haas developed over the past 40+ years.
Rangiora New Life School was established with a roll of 16 students. Classes on the premises of Leigh Camp in Loburn.
The school was relocated to very modest facilities, built on 4 hectares of land purchased by the church in Southbrook, Rangiora.
During Brian Seatter's ten years as principal, the school became an Integrated State School. A specialist High School block was built that year to meet the terms of Integration.
This roll growth meant new buildings were needed and a library, music, computing and classroom block was built, allowing the roll to increase to 250 students.
An Administration block and a third new classroom block soon followed the next year, and a Technology and Visual Arts block was also completed.
Two new classrooms were further added to accommodate the growing number of primary students.
From 2003 to 2011 under principal, Gregg Weaver, further changes were made, particularly in the area of curriculum development. Expansion and ongoing renovation of the facilities continued with the addition of two more secondary rooms.
The grounds were substantially developed with the establishment of new secondary hard courts, soft court, cricket nets, a 400 metre grass athletics track and a fitness trail.
1600 sq.m. Events Centre was completed. It comprised of a large gymnasium/hall with stage and drama facilities, classrooms and many other amenities. This accompanied the roll increase to approximately 350 students.
Two new science laboratories and classrooms were opened to cater for a further increasing roll.
Stephen Walters was appointed as principal, bringing with him a comprehensive history of restorative practices and BYOD. He reaffirms the place of one teacher, one classroom, in a modern learning pedagogy. The roll increased to a maximum of 420 students.
Rangiora New Life School celebrates their 40th Julibee with a maximum roll of 470 students plus international students. Ongoing building work includes a new technology block.