The ‘New Girl’ Up Close: New Build Site Tour, 13th January 2016

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOnce upon a time there was a Junior School on Tankerville Terrace.  It had a secret doorway surrounded by overhanging greenery which was opened by the Junior School Secretary via an intercom system.

Google earth foundations Mar 2016 3The modern low-level buildings were set in lovely, open leafy grounds surrounded by grassy banks, hard and soft play areas, numerous hidden dens in the bushes and lots and lots and lots of trees.

Dorothy Chipchase & Kay Murdoch walking through Junior School grounds.
Dorothy Chipchase & Kay Murdoch, Junior School Secretary, walking through grassy-green Junior School grounds.

When the merger between Church High & Central High was announced and Church High chosen as the home of Newcastle High School for Girls, the Junior School grounds were at the centre of the plans.  The ‘Old Girl’ would soon be sitting alongside a ‘New Girl’.

Site Model for Newcastle High School for Girls.
The Site Model for Newcastle High School for Girls in 2014.

Visitors to Wates’ Site offices in Westward House can view the EWA architect’s site plan in the lobby to the right of the door.

The Entrance Lobby of Westward House.
The Entrance Lobby, Westward House: Wates’ Site Office.
The architect's site plan in close-up.
The architect’s site plan of the Tankerville Site in close-up.

Sadly, in order to make way for the new building, the Junior School had to be demolished and the pupils moved to the new NHSG Junior School at Chapman House.  Demolition began on site in April 2015.

Google Maps captures the first stage of demolition.
Google Earth captures Stage 1 of the demolition process.
A day later, I capture the same image from the ground.
A day later, I capture almost the same view from the ground.

In August 2015, when Wates took possession of the old Junior School grounds after Tolent departed, the site looked like this.

Google Earth image from 2016 of the Junior School site.
Google Earth image from 2016 of the old Junior School site.

By January 13th 2016, the same view looked very different indeed.

The new build with roof nearly complete, Jan 13th 2016.
The new build with roof nearly complete, Jan 13th 2016.

Although only one tree has had to go and others will be planted, there is still a way to go, however, before the site will look like this.

An Artist's Impression of Newcastle High School for Girls.
An Artist’s Impression of Newcastle High School for Girls.

But, thanks to my Site Tour on April 13th extending to the new building too, I can now be your guide to the ‘New Girl on the Block’.  The views of the old Church High buildings from the very top are amazing and they’ll be even better when the trees are green again.

Me on the top level of the new build with Church High behind.
Me on the top level of the new build with Church High behind.

 

One thought on “The ‘New Girl’ Up Close: New Build Site Tour, 13th January 2016”

  1. Don’t know how you’re finding time for everyday life, Christine; you’re putting so much time and effort into this. It’s all very much appreciated, though, so keep up the good work. I know wild horses wouldn’t stop you!

    You look good in a hard hat, too!

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