Earthquake Wellington

2024 - 8 - 12

Wellington Girls' College Shaken Up: Earthquake Anxieties Lead to Temporary Closure!

Earthquake building closures - earthquake safety New Zealand - Ministry of Education - natural disasters - school infrastructure - seismic risk - Wellington Girls' College - Earthquake

Wellington Girls' College is closed due to quake-prone building concerns, leaving students and staff to adapt creatively!

Wellington has been rocked once again, but this time it's not just by the tremors of the earth. The revered Wellington Girls’ College has had to hit the brakes, shutting its doors for at least two days due to concerns over earthquake-prone buildings. The decision comes after a thorough assessment of one of its main structures revealed structural concerns that warrant immediate action. Now, the college finds itself in a logistical scramble to ensure students stay safe and educated.

With timetables thrown into disarray, teachers and students alike are getting creative about education. Plans are underway to potentially relocate some classes off-site to accommodate the disrupted learning environment. As if navigating teenage dramas wasn’t difficult enough, the uncertainty of classroom settings has added yet another layer to the school year. The school community is rallying together, turning potential panic into proactive solutions with a sense of humor and a lot of teamwork.

While some might see this as a setback, the administration and staff are committed to keeping the students' academic pursuits alive. The college's leadership is exploring innovative ways to conduct lessons. Expect outdoor classes, online learning sessions, and of course, the ever-reliable good ol’ head-down-and-crack-on approach that Kiwis are famous for. Who knew learning could be as fluid and adaptable as a good old Wellington wind?

The culture of preparedness shines through in this situation as families in quake-prone regions know how to deal with these unexpected challenges. It’s a reminder that while safety is paramount, the spirit of perseverance is just as vital. Interest in quake-proof architecture is also likely to surge, highlighting the need for safer educational environments. As they say, "When the winds of change blow, some build shelters, and others build windmills!"

Did you know that Wellington is one of the most seismically active regions in New Zealand? Built on the edge of the Pacific Ring of Fire, it’s a hotbed for tectonic activity. Exploring quake-resistant architecture has become a growing field of interest, and it’s being taken seriously not just in schools but in buildings across the region. In fact, many new constructions in Wellington are designed with advanced engineering techniques to withstand seismic events, aiming to keep both eyes on safety and one foot on innovation!

Quake-prone building call prompts Wellington Girls' College closure (Stuff.co.nz)

The school will be shut for at least two days ‒ and may have to move some students off site longer term ‒ after one its main buildings was found to be ...

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Image courtesy of "RNZ"

Dealing with fallout of earthquake prone building a 'logistical ... (RNZ)

Wellington Girls' College is closed and timetables are being reorganised to work around the lack of classrooms.

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Image courtesy of "Wellington Scoop"

Classrooms at Wellington Girls College closed because of seismic risk (Wellington Scoop)

Principal Julia Davidson says 13 classrooms which house about 380 students every school hour are affected. The Ministry of Education had known about the seismic ...

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Image courtesy of "RNZ"

Strengthening of quake-prone block 'waste of money' - Wellington ... (RNZ)

The school closed a block after it failed an earthquake assessment, and wants to pull the building down and start from scratch.

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Image courtesy of "Property Noise"

Wellington Girls' College building project is a waste of taxpayers ... (Property Noise)

Wellington Girls' College has raised concerns about a proposed building project by the Ministry of Education, labeling it as a misuse of taxpayers' money. The ...

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Image courtesy of "Newstalk ZB"

Quake risk forces Wellington Girls' College to close (Newstalk ZB)

A Wellington high school has been forced to close after a shock finding revealed 13 classrooms are earthquake prone.

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