A unique state-of-the-art primary school precinct, designed for ‘team-teaching’, is expected to be built by the end of the year.
Construction of the three-storey facility at Suncoast Christian College at Woombye was “progressing rapidly”, according to principal Greg Mattiske.
The first sod was turned in June and the building, 175m long and about 25m wide, has started to rise from the ground.
Works were underway on the bleacher stairs that link the floors, while the roof should be completed soon. A vast stainless-steel net that will wrap the building is set to follow.
The new campus is phase one of the growing school’s 25-year master building plan.
“It (the precinct project) envisages and allows for future capacity as the school looks to add an additional 100 students,” Mr Mattiske said.
“There are currently two classrooms for each grade and the aspiration is to increase that to three, without changing the integrity and community focus of the school.
“The building is required to accommodate the growing student population, particularly in our primary years. This enables us to free up other classroom facilities for our growing secondary school population.”
The precinct’s plans were unveiled last year. It has been designed to accommodate non-traditional teaching methods.
“The campus features the most advanced school buildings on the Sunshine Coast,” Mr Mattiske said.
“It has been designed specifically for a collaborative team-teaching model that replaces traditional classrooms with flexible learning spaces.
“The building will accommodate Years 1 through 6, with the students split into three cohorts, each taught by a team of six teachers and teachers’ assistants in spaces with dedicated and adaptable learning zones over two levels.
“A tiered seating area in each of these cohort zones will connect the two levels, allowing students to move between floors.
“Each cohort will have its own maker space and kitchen.
“An art room and performing arts space will service the whole primary school.”
Work will also soon start on expanding and upgrading one of the school’s other buildings, H Block, which currently includes Prep and Years 1 and 2. It’s expected to be completed in March.
Mr Mattiske said the project was “the most significant capital works investment in college infrastructure since 2010”.
He said funding for it was “derived primarily from our overarching organisation, the International Network of Churches, and includes a $2 million grant, generously provided by the Queensland Government through its Queensland Independent School Block Grant Authority capital works program”.
Founded on reclaimed farming land in 1979 as the Suncoast Christian Academy, the school’s first building was an old pineapple packing shed. It’s since become a renowned school with almost 1000 students.
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