Dunstan High School officially marked a significant milestone in its campus development on Monday with the opening of two new purpose-built facilities: the Vincent Block and the Lauder Block. 

The opening ceremony, attended by approximately 50 guests - including community leaders, Board of Trustee members, staff, and students - heralds a new era of creative and technical excellence for the school.

The Vincent Block has been designed as a hub for creativity and self-expression. Featuring two specialised art classrooms and a dedicated photography suite, students will be provided with the tools and light-filled spaces necessary to explore their artistic potential.

Principal Andrew King said the Lauder Block expands the school’s academic and technical footprint, housing a new suite for Design and Visual Communication (DVC), a language classroom, and a versatile general-purpose learning space.

"These new blocks are more than just additional desks; they represent our forward-thinking commitment to providing the Dunstan experience—where every student has access to the best possible facilities to express themselves and achieve their personal excellence." 

Inside the new art classrooms at Dunstan High School. Image: supplied

The addition of the blocks has triggered a broader transformation across the school site. By relieving pressure on existing infrastructure, the school is now able to repurpose older spaces into a new Junior Hard Materials space and a second Food Technology classroom. 

“This strategic move ensures that the school's practical and vocational departments continue to meet the high demand of its growing student body,” he said.

The project was completed on an ambitious timeline, a feat Andrew attributed to a highly collaborative partnership. 

"We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Josh Edwards from the Ministry of Education for his advocacy and support. Furthermore, the teams from Southbase and Portacom were instrumental in bringing this project together so quickly and professionally, ensuring minimal disruption to our learning environment."

As Dunstan High School continues to grow, the development ensures the school remains at the forefront of secondary education in Central Otago, blending modern pedagogy with specialised facilities.

"With the opening of the Vincent and Lauder blocks, we are ensuring our students have the right environment to achieve their potential."

Significant expansion underway at Dunstan High School