29 Hawke’s Bay Schools Offered Free Fibre Installation

Twenty-nine schools throughout Hawke’s Bay are being offered free or subsidised installations of ultrafast fibre, UnisonFibre announced today.

UnisonFibre sales and marketing manager, Wayne Baird said 29 local urban schools could connect as UnisonFibre completes its next stage following the140 kilometres of fibre already installed in Havelock North, Hastings and Napier.

12 Napier schools, 12 Hastings schools and five schools in Havelock North will be offered the free fibre installation. Benefits included faster file sharing, a more reliable connection and superior teleconferencing with schools around the world.
Schools would also be able to look at options for cloud computing and save thousands of dollars by not having to purchase expensive new hardware and software.

Te Mata Primary School Principal Mike Bain is developing an IT support cluster with Havelock North Intermediate and Havelock North High School.

“We have over 2,300 school students within half a kilometre, so we’re collaborating to ensure we avail from the benefits of ultrafast fibre.

“We have a catch cry ‘connecting kids to the future’ and we need to do it now,” he said.

Mr Baird says Taradale High School, Taradale Intermediate and Hastings Boys High School are already experiencing the benefits of faster internet speeds.

“These schools are already seeing the benefits of a superior fibre connection and the 26 other schools on our urban network now also have a chance to get on it for free,” he said.

Schools on the urban route (listed below) will be sent a letter from UnisonFibre notifying them of the free or subsidised installation. They can also register their interest by going to www.getonit.co.nz.

“We’ve built the network and, for a limited time, we’re offering free or subsidised installations to urban schools.”

The cost of installing, from the main fibre route to a school or business, is about $7000.

“This normally depends on the distance from the main fibre trunk. In most cases we’re running straight past the school but some maybe a bit further off.

“Schools will be able to choose a solution that suits, from the various service providers already using UnisonFibre's network.”

Hastings Boys High School Principal, Rob Sturch said the school was one of the early adopters of fibre and both students and teachers were making the most of it.

“Teachers are really excited about fibre. The ability to get really high quality information into their lessons   is a giant step forward and is a part of the future.

“The students just love seeing stuff on a computer screen and, for them, to be able access high quality information and knowledge is really exciting.

“There’s nothing that grabs the boys' attention more, and that’s what fibre has been able to deliver to our school,” he said

The school has two large computer pods with 30 computers each and Mr Sturch said the school was now able to have computers with a fast and reliable network in every classroom.

“Teachers can now access information superfast in their classrooms - something that up until now hasn’t been possible.”

Napier Schools
Port Ahuriri School, Napier Intermediate, Nelson Park School, St Patrick’s School, William Colenso College, Onekawa School, Henry Hill School, Taradale Primary, Fairhaven, Bledisloe School, Taradale Intermediate and Arthur Miller School.

Hastings Schools
St Johns College, St Matthews Primary School, Kowhai School, Hastings Central, Hastings Intermediate, Taikura Rudolf Steiner School, Lindisfarne College, Hastings Girls High School, Frimley Primary, Heretaunga Intermediate, Camberley School and Omahu School.

Havelock North Schools
Havelock North Primary, Hereworth School, Havelock North Intermediate, Havelock North High School and Te Mata School.

-Ends

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