Plans for Harold the Giraffe's new mobile classroom are underway following the fiery destruction of a Life Education Trust Western Bay of Plenty mobile unit last year.

The new unit will be the first in New Zealand to feature Microsoft Kinect technology – which can replicate a person's skeleton and organs as they stand in front of a screen.

Life Education Trust WBOP chair Debbie Given and patron Robyn Paterson, recently awarded a trust life membership, are excited about a new high-tech mobile classroom for the Western Bay. Photo: Bruce Barnard

Paid educator Michael Chemis has been teaching primary and intermediate-age children from a temporary replacement mobile classroom since his $225,000 unit was destroyed while stationed at Brookfield Primary School in June.

When the new unit is completed Michael and Harold will see a silver lining, enjoying the new digital software which shows a person's internal organs and allows children to extensively explore the skeleton, brain and nervous system.

Announced at the Life Education Trust's 25th annual conference on May 4 and 5 – the Western Bay's new mobile classroom will be one of 46 across the country with the new technology.

'Life Education Trust WBOP is going to be re-building our replacement mobile classroom this year – and we'll be one of the first in New Zealand to have the new generation technology, and a new classroom design,” says Life Education Trust WBOP chair Debbie Given.

'It's the technology that is going to be the most exciting part of the classroom – it will be interactive with the children and be such an amazing learning experience. The children are going to love the mobile classroom even more than they do now.”

The classroom will sport a screen, covering an entire wall, replacing a projector. A motion sensor, Aroma Tools and interactive imagery will add learning techniques.

'We currently have a lot of interactive and Aroma Tools now, however looking into the digital future, these are going to be even better,” says Debbie.

The trust is in the process of meeting with the community to source help with the re-build.

'It makes sense that we have local support to rebuild our classroom. Previously, we were very much tied up with a Christchurch company to do all our repairs and maintenance and fit-outs.

'Now, we're in a new phase and we can go back to our community that wants to support us and give back, when they have given to us.”

The trust is interested in speaking with local businesses that can donate time and interior fittings such as carpets and joinery, and want to be involved on an on-going basis.

This news comes alongside winning the 2013 TrustPower Western Bay of Plenty Community Awards' Education and Child/Youth Development category.

The Life Education Trust WBOP has also seen its patron, community magistrate Judge Robyn Paterson, given a life membership award.

Robyn, who has dedicated 19 years to Life Education Trust WBOP is one of its founding trustees.

'She's been a great asset to the trust for a long time, as a sounding board and a mentor to chairpersons and trustees, and this is what helps make us successful,” says Debbie.

Tauranga 17-year-old Zachary Lance Fitzpatrick served seven months' home detention for arson of the original mobile classroom last year.