The Bernard Fergusson School, established in 1966 and officially designated as bilingual in 1986, faced significant growth pressures due to an expanding population in its township. To address this, the school required the rapid construction of additional classrooms without disrupting its ongoing operations. The challenge was to implement a
solution that minimised health and safety risks and met the urgent educational needs.
Portacom, a leader in offsite manufactured classroom, was selected for the project due to its detailed attention during the Request for Quotation (RFQ) process. It was the second classroom building delivered by Portacom to the school.
Our project team’s meticulousness ensured that the project experienced no unexpected challenges, allowing for a seamless construction process. This involved offsite construction of the Interlink classroom, which mitigated onsite risks significantly.
From a Delivery Manager perspective, Portacom is a top-tier organisation who are an absolute pleasure to work with. Their communication with both the Ministry and the school ensured that problems were solved collaboratively and the result was that all aspects of delivery flowed smoothly.
To streamline the project timelines led to scheduling the main civil works—decks, stairs, and ramps—during the December school holidays. This strategic planning permitted the onsite activities to be minimal during the school term, reducing the risk of disruption. Furthermore, the construction integrated effectively with the school's existing infrastructure, including power and communication systems.
Key to the project's success was the establishment, by Portacom, of a new road, initially temporary, which later became a permanent access route. This not only facilitated the construction process but also provided essential access for emergency services and future developments. The collaborative efforts between Portacom, the Ministry of Education, the school and the local council ensured that all project aspects flowed smoothly, maintaining open lines of communication and problem-solving approaches.
This kind of commitment to project success is possible for Portacom in part due to the ecosystem fostered by Portacom. Our ecosystem emanates from our national footprint, international backing, longeivity and standing in the market and includes a strong network of contractors, consultants, logistics and transport who complement our internal design, project management, procurement and engineering and client managers.
The initial meeting between myself and Portacom was a significant meeting for me. I needed to know what the whole process looked like and sounded like to keep our tamariki safe. Because this was my first classroom to be built while I'm the principal, I was appreciative of the frequent updates, i.e. when the segments were arriving, the handing over of the key, looking for jobs that need attention.
Ultimately, the Bernard Fergusson School successfully met its expansion goals with a holistic solution provided by Portacom, positioning itself for future growth while continuing to serve its community effectively.