Principal's Message

When you refer to the key documents at our school, our Vision and Mission Statements, the School Improvement Plan and the Annual Action Plan you will find our dedication and commitment to provide an exemplary process of learning. One area that the College has invested heavily over the past decade is in the provision of state of the art facilities. Our Master Plan has incorporated indoor and outdoor space design that facilitates communication, collaboration, problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, and leadership essential elements of learning.

Here are 5 key elements of this exemplary classroom design:

#1 – Flexible Furniture and Space

Classrooms need to accommodate a variety of learning activities and so they must be flexible with furniture that can be can be arranged in different spaces and for a designated purpose. Students should be able to identify how they learn best and learning spaces should cater for all learning styles. Portable desks, standing or sitting options and different furniture arrangements provide alternatives to provide for individual needs.

#2 – Collaborative and Independent Learning

We aim to give students opportunities to come together to be co-learners and share, collaborate, and create. As social beings many people look forward to tasks and projects that foster collegiality and collaboration. On the other hand, some people prefer quiet spaces and designated break out spaces and rooms facilitate these needs.

#3 – Embracing Movement and Fostering Inspiration and Creativity

The whole learning centre should be designed to provide for elements of movement, flexibility and creativity. Large open indoor spaces, outdoor learning spaces, maker spaces, wet and dry areas all accommodates students’ natural need to move, while providing the optimal flexibility and opportunities to think outside the square.

#4 – Incorporating Technology

A learning centre that is equipped with all the modern technological advances provides students with information at their fingertips. Classrooms that are equipped with laptops, wireless capability, audio and visual hardware, data projectors, touch screen whiteboard and televisions provide the necessary tools for engagement and motivation.

#5 – Setting the Tone

An important benefit of any new facility will be the effect on the individual user’s perception. Not only is it new and exciting, but it demonstrates commitment to innovation and student-centred learning. Once the user discovers the many uses and benefits of the new learning centre then motivation also increases.

I write this piece as a reflection on the welcome addition of the new Learning Centre. Comprising 10 classrooms, two breakout rooms, staff offices and prep rooms, two large presentation spaces, a maker space, wet areas and access to outdoor learning spaces this centre incorporates all the above learning design features plus more. Student and staff reaction to the facility has been overwhelmingly positive and the Centre will provide great opportunities for students to control their own learning.

The official opening of the new facility, the Louise Cleary csb Learning Centre, will be held on Monday 17 May at 1.45pm. To provide for the opening the school day will comprise four shorter periods and finish at 1pm on that day. Buses will be arranged for the early finish. More details on the arrangements for the day will be sent out through Operoo. We thank all Parents and Guardians for their support of the College because it is through your efforts that we can provide these state of the art buildings. I thank also the staff who had input in the design of the Centre, our architects at Minx, and the construction builders, Magellan.

Raymond Pisani

Principal