From Principal Steve - Facilities Upgrade
As we fast approach the end of the school year our Facilities Sub-Committee has been reflecting on some of the great projects completed this year and what is in store for 2024. We would like to share this reflection with our school community.
As you’ll be aware our school is approaching 150 years old and, as with any old building, it can be challenging to keep up with the maintenance, let alone start and finish new projects to enhance our student’s learning spaces and environment.
What we aim to achieve in a year is also very dependent on the funds we have available at the start of each year, both through government funding for maintenance and through Parent Payments for ongoing projects. If we don’t receive Parent Payments at all or only in part we are restricted with what we can achieve.
We are very proud of the enhancements we have made to the school this year - it has definitely been a busy one, and 2024 is looking just as busy. Probably the project we are most excited about is our new G3 & G4 playground. Look out for more playground good news in 2024.
Below is a list of the larger projects we have delivered this year, noting this is separate to the copious maintenance works we roll through year on year.
Completed 2023
- Cladding in the gymnasium
- New glass dividing doors in the G5 & G6 classrooms
- Indigenous mural on the side of the gym near Grounds Café
- New timber balustrade for the library
- Installation of 26 CCTV security cameras
- New G3 & G4 playground
- New vegetable garden and plants.
To be completed 2024
- New Prep - Grade 2 playground and enhancements to the play area around the senior oval.
- Install new shade sails – one on the outdoor stage near the indigenous mural and café & the other outside the Prep centre. We hope these shade sails will be delivered over the school holidays or early next year.
- Install more outdoor seating for students, for outdoor learning and places to eat lunch and recess.
- Install solar panels on the gym – to reduce our electricity costs & minimise our carbon footprint.
- Paint the external window frames on the Junior & Senior buildings, library and performing arts centre.
- Paint the internal walls of the lobby in the gymnasium.
- Implement a new recycle waste bin system on campus.
- Replace old air conditioners in classrooms.
- Launch a new school website.
A big shout out to Jan Browne who has served on the School Council Facilities Subcommittee for several years. Jan’s energy, passion, and commitment to our school will be missed when she steps down from school council early next year. Thanks so much Jan.
We look forward to sharing more good news stories with you in 2024 and wish all our families a wonderful break over the summer.
BPS School Council