The motto at Christ’s College – ‘Good traditions, well maintained’ - is particularly apt given the challenges the school has met following the earthquakes and aftershocks of the past year.

The motto can be applied to the school’s approach to earthquake strengthening its heritage buildings – notably School House (built in 1910), Jacobs House (1931) and the impressive Dining Hall (1925).  Christ’s College Bursar, Colin Sweetman says the benefits are for all to see.

“Jacobs House and School House had extensive re-strengthening in 2003.  Those and the Dining Hall are the biggest success stories of the earthquakes.

“We had the opportunity to strengthen to base code at the time (33 percent) but we went to 67 percent on the Board’s agreement.  And we have had the payback.  Jacobs House is virtually unscathed. The structure of the Dining Hall has also stood up extremely well through its re-strengthening scheme in the early 1990s.

“The value (in quake strengthening) is very clear.  There were no injuries, people walked out of the buildings and they’re still there.”

As with many Canterbury buildings, there is conservation work to be done at Christ’s College.  Harper House and Julius House, which overlook the Quadrangle and row of temporary prefabricated rooms, are now the major refurbishment project after damage to chimneys and gables.  Minor external repair work is also in progress on School House.

Architect Alec Bruce’s (Wilkie+Bruce) association with the school dates back to the 1970s when he was a Head Prefect.  His architectural practice is part of the project team undertaking conservation work being carried out.   Stonemasonry firm Stoneworks – specialists in traditional building and restoration work - has been on-site since September.

“I have never been confronted with so many work faces,” Alec says.  “Issues of compliance and consent have been pretty major.”

“However, I am gobsmacked at how well this campus has done – and that there has been no liquefaction at all on this site (remarkable given its close proximity to the Avon River).

“We have project control group meetings weekly.  Without them I don’t know how Christ’s College would have got to this point.”

The school motto also applies to the continuing education offered during the seismic upheavals.  The school closed for a short time following February 22, and for 48 hours after the two earthquakes on June 13, but the learning continued.

“It was important to get life back to normal as soon as possible,” says Colin.

“We’ve re-jigged our programme and we will complete it for the full academic year.  We had a lot of on-line learning at the time …. Although the school was closed the activity and learning wasn’t.”

The New Zealand Historic Places Trust has recognised the heritage significance of Christ’s College with eight individual listings on its Register.  The Big School, Chapel, Hare Memorial Library and Dining Room are Category I sites and the 1915-21 Classrooms, Jacobs House, School House and Open Air Classrooms are Category II.  To learn more about their history and heritage importance please visit the Register online by following the links to each place's listing.