The school was relocated from Monte Cecilia as part of the development of Monte Cecilia Park and is now next to St John Vianney Church at 34 Whitmore Rd in Hillborough.

The new site is built around three Modern Learning Environments that can each accommodate up to 75 pupils.

It was opened in February 2016.

The expansion of the park also includes the acquisition of Liston Retirement Village.

The figures were obtained under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act.

The money required to relocate the school is additional to the $38.45 million which has already been spent acquiring land around the park over the past 10 years.

Mt Roskill MP Michael Wood says the former Auckland City Council plan has been pushed through despite years of community backlash.

"It was arrogant political decision-making by the council at the time," he says.

"It was a really good example of a grandiose boys' project they just decided they were going to ram through.

However, Auckland Council says it cannot be held responsible for the project.

Social policy manager Kataraina Maki says the council has an obligation to honour the contract, which was entered into by the previous administration.

In 1998, the former Auckland City Council agreed to purchase the park, with plans to further expand its holdings.

At the time John Banks was Mayor and David Hay was his deputy.

Mr Wood believes the pair pushed the plan to act as "their legacy".

The Monte Cecilia Catholic School site, Liston Retirement Village and 14 residential properties around the park's fringes have since been added to its grounds.

The final concept plan wasn't released to the public until November 2016 and many of its costs still remain confidential.

Source

• newshub.co.nz
• stuff.co.nz
• Image: tiakimanatu.org

The school was forced to move from Monte Cecilia Park after Auckland Council began acquiring the land in 2000.

A school has been on the site adjacent to the historic Pah Homestead for more than 100 years.

Moving into the new premises at the St John Vianney Church on Whitmore Rd was a bitter-sweet moment for principal Michele Mill.

"For the first time we are a parish school with a parish on site," she says.

"There are no words to describe how I personally feel as a principal moving into this marvellous facility."

The new site is built around three Modern Learning Environments that can each accommodate up to 75 pupils.

The school has a roll of 165 pupils but the move means it will be able to cater for up to 227 children.

Council has begun demolition on the old school at Monte Cecilia Park, but the Whare building will be retained.

The building will likely be used as a functions centre for the James Wallace Arts Trust.

Source

• stuff.co.nz
• Image: stuff.co.nz

Now Monte Cecilia school is moving a new site 2 kilometres away.

Auckland Council purchased the current site from the Catholic Diocese in 2010.

The site will be added to Monte Cecilia Park

The new school is located on Whitmore Rd, Hillsborough.

It will be handed over on December 10.

The school will have access to neighbouring St John Vianney Parish.

School principal Michele Mill says they are sad to leave all the history behind.

"The homestead is amazing and you just can't beat the view."

"I will miss that but we are getting a brand new shiny school."

"Here it's a bit squashed," Mill says.

"We've got enough buildings but it's the way the buildings are organised that poses problems."

The new school has 3 Modern Learning Environments that can each accommodate up to 75 pupils.

The move means the school will be able to cater for up to 227 children.

The present the roll is 165.

Source

• stuff.co.nz
• Image: stuff.co.nz

Monte Cecilia School principal Michele Mill said that after more than a century on its Hillsborough site, the school would move to a new site and new buildings next year.

Auckland Council bought land from the Catholic Church for Monte Cecilia Park.

The existing school is near the historic Pah Homestead. Continue reading