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Nawton School simplifies access control with Aperio wireless locks
When Hamilton’s Nawton School replaced their ageing access control system, they chose ASSA ABLOY's Aperio E103 wireless locks paired with Gallagher software. Staff now carry a single mobile key or a physical fob, and the leadership team has real-time remote control over every door across the school.
Nawton School is unique in offering three streams of education side by side: mainstream English Aunoa, bilingual Reo-Rua and total immersion Rumaki Māori. Keeping that environment safe, inclusive and well-functioning depends on access control that works intuitively for all staff and external contractors.
The scale of the site reflects its ambition. With 25 classrooms plus a school hall, pool facilities, offices, toilet blocks and storage sheds, and on-site offices for the local school cluster, the school manages more than 120 controlled doors, each one a point where security and convenience work together.
‘When we started looking for a new access control solution, it was really driven by frustration,’ says Assistant Principal Mark O’Brien. ‘We had a legacy electronic system – probably state of the art at the time it was installed – but it had no central hub. Each door operated independently and didn’t communicate with the others. Some batteries needed charging every few days. When a part broke down, it could be weeks or even months before it was resolved, and teachers had to manage with workarounds.’
Community use added another layer of complexity. ‘We have groups using our hall after hours, so any new system had to handle a wide variety of roles and access levels, allowing access for the right people at the right time.’
Mark’s research was based on what other schools and the local hospital were using – tried and tested systems by people he could trust. ‘I contacted three companies, and two of them recommended the Gallagher Command Centre paired with Aperio locks. I also visited Waikato Hospital to see the Gallagher system in action. The system worked like a well-oiled machine at the hospital; I know that their levels of security and need for a system that worked well was crucial. So after my visit I was impressed with what I saw and what the security crew had to say, so I knew that it would be a good fit for us.’
ASSA ABLOY’s Digital Access Solutions specialist Ethan King notes that like many schools, the core challenge at Nawton wasn’t just about securing doors, it was about balancing student safety with seamless day-to-day operations.
‘Modern school security needs to protect students and staff while remaining unobtrusive,’ he explains. ‘Access should be controlled, auditable and secure, but it shouldn’t interrupt teaching, learning or routine site activity.’
A wireless solution that fits the existing buildings
Aperio E103 is a wireless, battery-powered electronic lockset that converts a standard mechanical door into an access-controlled one. Each lock communicates with an Aperio hub, which connects to the site’s access control system – in the case of Nawton School, the Gallagher Command Centre.
Because the system is non-proprietary – compatible with Gallagher and more than 100 other security platforms – it integrates directly into existing infrastructure rather than requiring a full replacement.
Local security experts Arc managed the installation across the school. ‘The process was very smooth,’ says Mark. ‘Brett from Arc managed the whole project for us.’
Command and control from one screen
For Mark, the Gallagher Command Centre has been the standout feature of the system. From a single interface, he can see in real time which doors are being accessed, who is using them, and whether any faults have been flagged. A lost fob can be suspended immediately.
‘I can create access groups, assign temporary permissions, set time frames, and remove access just as quickly. If a teacher is acting in a higher role temporarily, I can give them elevated access for that period and roll it back when it’s no longer needed. Same with contractors coming on site.’
The school also keeps mechanical master keys as a backup. ‘If there's ever a total power failure – unlikely given the battery backups – we can still physically access the buildings. In a school environment, you need that resilience.’
‘Since installation, it’s been night and day compared with our old system,’ says Mark. ‘The battery life alone has been remarkable – we've only had to change batteries in one lock out of over 120 in nearly two years since the new system was installed.’
Doors no longer drop offline for months. Teachers aren’t locked out. When maintenance work requires restricting part of the building, Mark can override those doors remotely until it’s safe to reopen them. ‘I’d strongly recommend it. For us, it's been reliable, flexible and incredibly well supported.’
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