Eltham School looks forward to the future | Taranaki News | Local News in Taranaki

Last term was the end of an era for Eltham School when the community said goodbye to the school's A Block.

With demolition nearly completed, the school is sad of history gone, but teachers, students and the community are excited about the future of the school. A Block was home to the school's main office, principal's office, five classrooms, staffroom, resource and storage rooms.

Robert England, Board of Trustees chairman, said A Block has been the home to many children over its past 80 years and symbolises many memories. "A Block was the home to senior students and was a guide for many to their teenage years." The new A Block will hold the main office, staffroom, resource room, as well as a new library and technology suite.

The changes for A Block began in 2001 when a five-year property plan was started. In 2005, Eltham Primary School secured funding from the government to rebuild A Block. The project will cost over $1 million.

Last Friday, while the school was being demolished, caretaker Jason Baikie decided he would try and save the school's facade. With approval from the BOT, Mr Baikie called in a crane to save the 80-year-old piece of history from being made into a pile of rubble.

However, at the time of printing, it is still uncertain of its future and whether the facade has a safe future resting in front of the school.

Pictured are the demolition crew try to save the facade at Eltham Primary School.