$9 million upgrade for Halswell Residential School

<h3>A soil-turning ceremony has marked the start of a &dollar;9 million upgrade of Halswell Residential College in Christchurch&period;<&sol;h3>&NewLine;<p>Halswell Residential College provides round-the-clock special education for children and young people with complex needs&period; Students at the school are supported by specialist resources&comma; individualised programmes and highly-trained staff in a stable and nurturing environment&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>Four new family-style villas will be built to accommodate up to 32 students&period; These will replace the institutional-style accommodation blocks and help enhance the school’s education programme&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>A multi-purpose learning environment will also be built&comma; allowing students and staff to be together in a welcoming and multi-functional space&period; The redevelopment also includes earthquake strengthening of the main school buildings and an upgrade of the carers’ accommodation&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>This redevelopment will strengthen the school’s ability to deliver quality education and support to children and young people with some of the highest needs&period; It will also improve transitions for students and their families back into their home community&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>The redevelopment is expected to be completed in January 2017&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p><span style&equals;"color&colon; &num;000000&semi; font-family&colon; Times New Roman&semi; font-size&colon; xx-small&semi;"><span lang&equals;"EN-GB" style&equals;"font-size&colon; 9&period;0pt&semi; font-family&colon; 'Times New Roman'&comma;serif&semi;"> <&sol;span><&sol;span><&sol;p>&NewLine;