Young builders hold roof shout

Hauraki Plains College students may be young – but they have just had a roof shout to celebrate the completion of the roof on their three-bedroom house project.

Teacher in Charge, Pete Carpenter says they have a lot of people backing the project.

“The project has been very well supported by John McGill and Paul Kerr of Placemakers in Kopu who have worked very hard to get the project off the ground and also to get manufacturers on board.”

Carpenter says builders traditionally have a roof shout once the roof has been finished.

“We just had a BBQ for the people who are involved – it’s just to acknowledge all the hard work that has been put in to the house and there has been a lot of work. We even have one girl in the carpentry academy helping build the house. She’s doing really well.”

Placemakers Thames Operator John McGill says he is impressed with the students.

“I am very impressed with the work the students have done to date and this being a first for a college I think it is a wonderful project and a true commitment from the Board of Trustees and the teachers involved.”

There are 20 Year 13 students working on the house.

“It has been fun, but scary. The wind was a killer. Every time we got off the house the wind would be fine, but when we would try lay the roof down there would be just a great big gust of wind,” says student Cameron Reay.

McGill says Placemakers has worked hard with the teachers at HPC to bring together this project.

“PlaceMakers have worked with the teachers to bring together this project from plan design, detailing of the house to supplying product from generous suppliers wanting to help in this project, the students did factory tours including our Frame and Truss plant, Winstone wall boards Tasman Insulation and James Hardie, to show them first-hand experience on what is on offer within the building industry.”

Carpenter says all theory work done by students  counts towards their NCEA.

“What you see if what the students have done, they have done the lot. I have had my apron on for an hour or two but they have done everything. The kids have done a really good job.”

The students started constructing the house at the start of term two and the biggest hold up has been getting permits passed and the design of plans but the teachers are hoping that all will be finished by the end of the year.

Once the house is completed it will be sold to the highest bidder.