The first Year 8 students to attend Wakefield School in nearly 70 years are leaving their mark, from the wooden go-karts they built to the seating area they created for future students.
It was 67 years ago that the school last taught Year 8 students – or Form 2 as they were known then – before it went through the process of ‘decapitation’ and intermediate-aged students headed to Richmond or Nelson for schooling.
Now the students are back and have spent their intermediate years in small classes and a connection with their community, with many highlighting their hands-on projects as special.
Principal Freya Hogarth says the addition of intermediate-age students has been “amazing” for everyone.
“We all love having these older children in the school – the maturity and leadership is really starting to show through.
“One of the strengths of having older children in a primary is children modify their behaviour in a positive way.
“They tend to be more caring and positive role models for the younger children. It brings out the best in them.”
Leah McKay, one of their teachers for the two mixed Year 7 and 8 classes, says it has been an important period for intermediate-aged students who need time and input as they navigate their teenage years.
“One of the best things the students talk about is the community feel and the small classes and doing activities they feel they wouldn’t have been able to do if they hadn’t stayed at Wakefield.”
Throughout the year, alongside their academics, the students have made wooden go-karts for the playground, created a wooden fence, and a treasure trail with riddles.
They also designed and built a wooden seating area in a shaded area for the next Year 8 students to sit and talk.
For the community hub’s Haunted Hall fundraiser, students made costumes and props which Leah says reflects the strong link with the community.
“One of our strategic goals at the school is around developing a rural school experience with our community.”
The school became a full primary school again following the Ministry of Education’s proposal to ease pressure from population growth on Richmond’s Waimea Intermediate.
