Students at St Edwards Primary School in Canowindra can now enjoy a new and improved learning environment, with upgrades to the school recently being completed. The school, which has 85 students, has had a facelift to its main block of classrooms and its administration block.
The new block of classrooms has been created in an open style, with wide sliding doors that open up to the other rooms in the building. It accommodates three classrooms, learning break out spaces for students, group and individual learning areas as well as a creative arts space.
The outdoor deck area outside this building has also been touched up, with shade cloth being installed to provide a nice space for outdoor learning, as well as protecting students from the powerful sun during warmer months. “The new classrooms certainly look different to a normal classroom,” said St Edwards Principal Ken McNamara.
“There’s coloured pin boards on all of the walls, there’s new style learning desks and chairs, and the three classrooms open up to each other, so it’s a very open, creative space.” “Our school now opens up internally, so students can enter their classrooms from the inside of the school, and not the outside like they used to.”
With improved facilities now at the school’s disposal, Mr McNamara said continued growth in learning was the school’s plan for its students. “We’re expecting children to be more engaged, and have the freedom as to where (in the classroom) they do their learning and encourage students to work closely with teachers to achieve individual learning goals.”
The administration building has been recarpeted, had new lights, toilets and climate control installed, a new conference room, and a new student support room. Improvements to the school were funded by the Diocese of Bathurst to the value of approximately $750,000.
The St Edwards school community invites anyone to ring the front office to receive a tour of the school or you can wait and look forward to the community open day in the near future.