Albany Junior High School

General information

Albany Junior High School is a junior high school situated in North Harbour, Auckland, New Zealand.

Establishment

Opened in 2005, it was the first purpose built Junior High in New Zealand. The school was opened by the then Prime Minister Helen Clark who said that the school was a model for future middle level schooling in the country.

The concept of a junior high school is controversial in New Zealand. Two more junior high schools are being built in Manukau, and there are five others already operating.

Organisation

There are currently nearly 1200 students attending, with the school still expanding. The average number of students per class is around 30.

The school caters for years 7–10, after which most of the students will move on to the nearby Albany Senior High, which opened in 2009.

Facilities

Teaching blocks
The blocks are named after native New Zealand birds. So far four of the planned five have been built - Kiwi, Makomako, Ruru, and Tui. Each has a series of normal classrooms together with specialised classrooms such as science laboratories or art rooms and a courtyard.

The bell is an unusual exotic bell, consisting of native bird call, and is different in areas of the school.

Support blocks[edit]
These include:

PAC (Performing Arts Centre), currently being lengthened), is a small hall/gym with a full data-projection system. This is where most drama lessons are held.
Gymnasium, which is large and is used for sports (both storing and practical use) and inside is the sports coordinators offices and changing rooms. Because of its size, it is used for the school prize-givings and when the entire school has their full school assembly. There are two data-projection screens and a wireless microphone.
Admin. Inside is two public desks (the main one at the front for visitors and the one at the back for students), administration offices and learning support. Also in the building is the staffroom and library.
Music department with sound proof practise rooms, a dance studio, a large keyboard room for practice and sound proof classrooms.