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More than a building

Schools

Tenison Woods College in Mount Gambier is undergoing major construction of a new Junior School facility.

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The two-storey centre will be occupied by students from Years 1 to 6 from the beginning of the 2023 school year and will feature 24 general learning studios, allowing for four class streams in each year level to ensure small class sizes.

The contemporary building will see two specially designed creative STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) Maker Spaces on each level. The facility also features breakout areas, teacher preparation spaces, meeting rooms, amenities and outdoor breakout and nature play spaces.

The project will complete the MacKillop Junior School Learning Community which encompasses Reception – Year 6. A new Reception space was occupied by students and staff at the beginning of 2021 and boasts a contemporary open plan design to accentuate teacher and student collaboration and enhance the importance of community. The Year 1-6 facility will have a similar floor plan, with central open learning areas on each floor.

Principal David Mezinec said the building design was a result of thorough research and collaboration within the college community. Staff, students, Board members and parents had the opportunity to provide insight and ideas during the planning stages which began in 2019.

The project is being managed by Edge Architects and Mossop Construction and Interiors, who were also responsible for the construction of the Reception building.

Early stages of the project are underway with civil engineering and earth moving providing plenty of entertainment for Early Years and Junior School children.

Head of Junior School Francesca Dickson (pictured) said students were excited to see the junior school building being constructed “in front of their eyes”.

“Each day students see the construction site, noticing the progress and asking many questions about their new Junior School,” she said.

“This building is more than just a building to us; this will be the heartbeat of our Junior School. The contemporary spaces will inspire creativity and allow students to be more connected, as well as further develop the idea of communities within communities at our college.”

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