Rising out of the ashes will be the theme of the day as Te Wharekura o Ruatoki opens a new building.

The school gymnasium and hall will be officially opened in a dawn ceremony this time next week, after the old facility was burnt down two and a half years ago.

The 2009 electrical fault caused the blaze which gutted the tech block, made up of four classrooms, and the adjacent gym/hall.

Principal, Yvonne Hohipa describes it as a traumatic time at the school, meaning there were was little space for lessons.

She's looking forward to the celebration, following the school's struggle since.

She says they've just completed the new gymnasium, and are taking great delight in opening it for students, staff and also the community.