Foundations are laid for a significant College development
25 May 2005 - for immediate release
In 2007 ACG Parnell College, the school renowned for achieving excellence in academic results, will undertake
significant expansion. The changes include an enhanced campus, and the inclusion of a broader range of age groups.
Currently the College, formerly known as ACG Junior College, caters for approximately 370 students from Years 7 to 10.
Each year it turns up to a hundred hopeful students away.
However, a new construction project will swell the roll to around 1000 students, as well as providing a gymnasium, a
large library, a cafeteria, sophisticated art, technology and computer rooms, drama spaces, wired classrooms and
laboratories.
Academic Colleges Group (ACG), the organisation behind a number of New Zealand's leading schools, is no stranger to
combining rapid growth with academic excellence. The Group operates a number of schools in New Zealand, catering for all
age groups of local students, and one in Jakarta, Indonesia.
In line with all ACG schools, students at ACG Parnell College achieve well above average within their age groups. Many
students have achieved status not only as top New Zealand students, but as top international students, via the
University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE).
The school's principal, Mr Larne Edmeades, has led a number of ACG schools through growth and change in his eight years
with the organisation, firstly as Deputy Principal of ACG Senior College, then Principal of ACG New Zealand
International College.
"This is a great opportunity," says Mr Edmeades. "It means that more young people can benefit from a world-class
education in a central city location, and because of the additional facilities, the school will be able to offer each
student more diverse subject choices and improved resources."
"Our challenge is to ensure that we clearly maintain our core values, and that the specific and unique features of this
ACG College are preserved," he explains.
Building work began this month - foundations on a 10,000sqm site adjacent to the existing campus are being laid for the
specialist classrooms and teaching facilities that students will enjoy.
ENDS