Following several construction challenges and delays, a new $515 million building that can better accommodate students of the St Rose’s High School was Tuesday commissioned.
The new block has been named the Sister Hazel Campayne Block.
The block includes the auditorium, classrooms, offices and some labs.
Parts of the school, known for its wooden charm, was in a dilapidated state. Though the new block is concrete, consideration was given to the architectural style.
“It must be noted that much assurance was given that the replacement structure will incorporate many aspects of the original design and would integrate the design of the Marian [Academy] wing,” the Acting Principal Rayon Tobin said at the commissioning ceremony.
In maintaining the unique features of the school, the famous green area where the school’s lavish garden parties are held had to be considered before construction was greenlighted.
On July 9, 2018 the demolition started and there was an initial construction deadline of 19 months. But after several issues, the original contractor was replaced by Shandong Dejian International in September 2021.
This, Education Minister Priya Manickchand said, caused the students who entered the school in 2017 to endure having a dilapidated building.
Without a fully equipped auditorium, concerts and other cultural activities could not be properly conducted but were maintained to some extent; this fact was bemoaned by the Education Minister.
“They [students enrolled during the construction period] will never be able to recount the concerts that they saw in the hall…or the place that they gained their confidence or played steel pan or exhibited any other talent.
“Schools are far more than places to learn about Math and English and Social Studies and Science.
“We have to have common spaces,” the Education Minister said.
The new facility provides these students with those spaces.
Also, noting the significance of the St Rose’s Ursiline convent of the school, Minister Manickchand thanked the convent for its role in building the country.
“I want you to know how very grateful we are as a country for your input not only here at St Rose’s.
“The nuns who gave up their lives not only to religious advances but to education and medicine. Our country is richer for your presence,” she stated.
