Hastings Boys’ High School Building Academy Progress Report to our school community
16 July 2024
We are building 2 x 2-bedroom houses of 82sqm each for social housing this year. The 3 houses we completed last year, are currently stored at the Brittons House Mover’s yard, awaiting relocation to the final site at 1109 Willow Park Road North over the next few months.
Students have been involved in all aspects of the builds to date, from the subfloor, framing, cladding, insulation, GIB, etc.
Students
● 14 x Year 13 students. All students are actively involved in the Building Academy.
● Students have worked on BCITO theory work on days they cannot work outside.
● Each student is also in the process of compiling a Portfolio of Evidence, showcasing the build as well as providing evidence for assessment.
● The students are involved with all aspects of the build. They do everything themselves, except the roofing, plaster, and painting!
NCEA results and other courses
● Most students have completed the First Aid, Health and Safety, and Working at Heights courses.
● All students to complete their Site Safe Passports with the Jobs and Skills Hub during Term 3, Week 2.
● Most students have completed the required BCITO BCATS assessments and have received their associated Level 3 credits.
● Students have started completing the required theory work for the BCITO Micro-Credential “Basic Construction” and are on track to be awarded the associated L3 credits late in Term 3.
● All students are on track to achieve 60+ Level 3 credits, and NCEA L3 by the end of the year.
Teaching Staff
Building Academy tutors are Mr Trent Bray (LBP Builder) and Mr Zac Southwick.
The two tutors complement each other well and their teaching and management of the students and the builds are of a high standard. Their teaching pedagogy is such that all students can relate, feel part of a team and work together. They treat the Building Academy as a building site and have daily site meetings to discuss safety, codes of conduct and expectations for the day.
Work Experience
● An optional component for students in the Building Academy is Work Experience with our industry partners.
● Depending on a student’s work ethic, attendance, skill level, engagement, meeting expectations, etc, some students will be offered an opportunity to work alongside qualified tradesmen across Hastings, for one day a week.
● Students are not guaranteed placements / work experience and can be withdrawn based on their performance on site as well as at school.
● Students that are not attending a work experience day arranged by us, but still want to experience work experience, are also encouraged to arrange work experience themselves with an approved builder, who we will support.
House Build and Material
● Fantastic support from our partners, TUMU Timbers, Isaacs’ Pumping, Plumbing and Electrical, etc.
● There are no material supply issues envisioned for these builds - TUMU has assured us this project takes priority and they will endeavour to make sure there are no hold-ups in terms of supplies.
2 x 2-Bedroom, 82sqm houses:
● Subfloor, Frames, Trusses, bracing, purlins, ceiling battens, RAB board, etc. completed early Term 1, followed by “Pre-Wrap” inspections, etc.
● Electrical wiring installed by Isaac’s Electrical, assisted by 2 x students.
● Plumbing installation was done by Isaac’s Plumbing assisted by 1 x student.
● Roof installed by sub-contractor.
● Aluminium windows, supplied by Twin City Aluminium, fitted by students.
● Fascia, soffits, cavity battens – completed during Term 2, followed by “Pre-Clad” inspections.
● Insulation and GIB completed end of Term 2. External cladding is 90% completed.
● Plasterer is currently on site.
● Trim, scotias, skirtings due in 2 weeks.
● Bathroom Hardiglaze due in 3 weeks.
● Due date for completion – end of Term 3.
Summary
Students are very committed to the course and are enjoying the hands-on approach to learning. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to transition between “formal” schooling and employment while also gaining NCEA Level 3. While the students are still part of the wider schooling community, attend assemblies, and partake in extracurricular activities, they attend the Building Academy on a full-time basis during their 5-day school week.
Students are all treated as young adults on a job site with the same work ethic that would be expected from an employer. While they are still at school, we focus on life skills, work ethic, and providing the pastoral support to ensure they hit the road running once they start their careers in the Building and Construction industries. We have ongoing daily toolbox meetings, and the teachers are continuously moving between the students, checking their work and providing feedback and guidance to ensure everyone stays on track. Most students embrace the opportunity to work independently, self-manage, learn new skills daily, while also reporting back to the teachers and providing support for their fellow students. This environment is also fantastic to develop leadership skills and we have already seen students embrace this opportunity, taking the lead on a job and supervising other students.
We look forward to seeing how our students progress with the house build next term and to share in their growth and successes.
