Tenison Woods College is currently undergoing major construction of a new junior school facility.
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 build will complete the MacKillop Junior School Learning Community which encompasses Reception – Year 6.
A brand-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 is set to have a similar floor plan, with central open learning areas on each floor.
Principal David Mezinec said that “design and technology, ecology and sustainability as well as innovation and entrepreneurship will feature as foundational experiences for students in the new building”.
“I am delighted the building design was a result of thorough research and collaboration within the college community,” he said.
“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 under way with civil engineering and earth moving providing plenty of entertainment for Early Years and Junior School children.
Head of Junior School Francesca Dickson said the students were excited to watch the junior school building under construction.
“This building is more than just a building to us; this will be the heartbeat of our Junior School,” she said.
“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.”
