GREENSTONE PARTNERING WITH SCHOOLS
When a school undertakes capital works they need a professional that they can rely on to manage the risks involved and provide certainty of outcome. Greenstone Group has a growing portfolio of clients in the education sector. Our recent appointments to provide project management services include Kelston Primary School, Blockhouse Bay Intermediate School, Epsom Normal School, Lincoln Heights School, Taupo College, Tauranga Girls High School, Golden Sands Primary School - Papamoa, Hamilton Girls High School, Hamilton Fraser High School, Cambridge High School and Takanini School.
The project management team at Greenstone Group has a demonstrated track record of partnering with schools to deliver successful projects. As specialist, independent project managers it is our job to represent the best interests of the school at all times, Greenstone can take over the management of a project while still keeping school stakeholders informed and involved throughout the process.
We have successfully delivered a variety of education sector projects ranging from complete new schools to small alterations and deferred maintenance projects. We have experience in partnering with school stakeholders to facilitate the smooth transition of a project from concept through design development and construction, to successful completion and hand-over.
School projects offer some specific project management challenges - Greenstone understands this and can pro-actively manage projects to avoid or resolve matters before they become major issues.
We have significant experience in preparing 10 Year Property Plans (10YPP) and 5 Year Agreements (5YA) which meet the requirements of the Ministry of Education. Greenstone can take overall responsibility for the successful implementation of the 10YPP and 5YA and will be responsible for all day to day management in the preparation of the 10YPP.
We have a clear understanding of the Ministry of Education (MoE) Protocols and requirements. Greenstone staff have attended consultant seminars provided by the MoE and our Project Managers have a comprehensive understanding of the MoE Property Management Handbook.
Ensuring that a schools vision and objectives for a capital project can be realised within the level of funding available is an area where Greenstone’s experience can make a difference. Our policy is to manage value early in a project rather than cost engineer later. Greenstone employ robust processes and reporting to pro-actively manage costs.
Greenstone recognise that the wider community has a vested interest in the school and can undertake a thorough consultation process with all stakeholders including the Board of Trustees, Staff, pupils and other community groups. Greenstone is experienced in negotiating design outcomes which satisfactorily balance the needs of all stakeholders.
Securing the on-going health and safety of students staff and visitors is paramount when undertaking construction on an existing operating campus. Greenstone addresses this by implementing rigorous health and safety programmes and utilizing migration analysis to maintain separation between construction and ongoing operations so that the impact of building on normal school functions is minimised.
The noise and disruption of construction needs to be kept at a minimum to enable the school to continue to provide a quality learning environment. Greenstone will manage the construction schedule to keep noise within school teaching hours to a minimum.
Day to day communication with the staff and pupils is a key part of managing an education project in an existing school successfully. All members of the school need to be kept aware of what is going on on-site and any timetabling or migration changes which are necessary.
Greenstone manages the commissioning and hand-over process ensuring that all maintenance manuals and contract warranties are passed to the school. Greenstone will also ensure and that any necessary training is arranged for key staff in the maintenance of all mechanical and electrical systems.