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CENTENARY Hobson Complex The state-of-the-art home of the school gymnasium, fitness suite, language classrooms and the Year 13 common roomwas opened in 2013. Hobson Complex was opened on 10 May by New Zealand Prime Minister of the time John Key. The six-year project was led by Carol Weston and designed at Accent Architects. It was funded mainly through the Foundation Trust, which raised $900,000. The Old Girls’ Association and Parents’ Association also made significant contributions. Students look at the brand new Hobson Complex in 2013. Queen Margaret Preschool Queen Margaret Preschool was first opened in 2003 in the former Gibb House. Due to a growing Preschool roll, Gibb House was demolished in 2015 to make way for a new purpose-built Preschool. Designed by McKenzie Higham Architects and built by Maycroft Construction, the Preschool was opened in October 2015 and now has 40 boys and girls enrolled. The Preschool has its own large classroom and outdoor area, with internal access to the school, and its own gate on Katherine Avenue. The new Queen Margaret Preschool opened in 2015. Junior Playground The new Junior Playground was opened in 2017. This area has been significantly redeveloped since its beginnings as a swimming pool in 1947. It was rebuilt as the Neptune net playground in 2008 and was developed further into a brand-new play area. The ribbon was cut by 2017 Head Prefect Georgia Taylor and youngest student Brynn Shelbourne. Construction began in 2016 and was partially funded by the Parents’ Association and the Foundation Trust; a Prefab dinner hosted by the two associations raised $28,000. The playground is always a hive of activity at morning tea and lunchtime. Zara Ali-Sakoufakis at the 2017 opening of Junior School Playground. The Queen Margaret House dawn blessing in 2018. Queen Margaret House Our newest facility, Queen Margaret House, opened on 23 January 2018. Catering for Year 7–13 students, the house has three storeys, with 40 single bedrooms, three lounges and a large kitchen and dining area. The building was designed by McKenzie Higham Architects and construction by Maycroft Construction began at the end of 2016. We now have over 20 students living in the house, making the most of all that Wellington and QMC have to offer. 16 Queen Margaret Calling :: ISSUE 63 :: May 2019