Work underway on $2.45 million Big Picture School

Premier and Minister for Education and Skills, David Bartlett, said today that the State Government was committed to finding new ways to engage young people in learning.

“We recognise that the traditional education system doesn’t meet the needs of everyone and we must find alternative pathways for students, particularly those who are at risk of disengaging from school,” Mr Bartlett said.

“We need to provide more options and tailor learning to suit the needs of individual students.

“We’re achieving this through the Northern Vocational School which provides vocational learning for students.

“The construction of a new $2.45 million Big Picture School in Hobart’s Northern suburbs will also give students in the area an alternative to traditional schooling.

“The school, the first of its kind in Australia, is part of the $52.325 million Glenorchy Schools Project.

“The Big Picture School will be an annexe of the new Montrose Bay High to be formed with the amalgamation of Claremont High and Rosetta High,” Mr Bartlett said.

“It will be co-located with the current Timsbury Road School and Goodwood School and will provide more options and opportunities for students in the area.

“Big Picture schools focus on teaching one child at a time, offering a more personalised approach to learning both in the classroom and the community.

“They are small by design and provide programs for students that are tailored to their individual needs, interests and passions. The emphasis is on real-world learning with students working with mentors in the community.

“The school will have around 120 year 9 and 10 students split into small class groups. While it will operate independently, students will be able to access courses and facilities at Montrose Bay High.

“The Big Picture School project also includes improvements to Goodwood Primary School and Timsbury Rd Special School, funded under the Australian Government’s National Economic Stimulus Plan – Building the Education Revolution.

“New construction includes four relocated demountable general learning areas with new connecting walkways and seminar rooms around a central courtyard.

“The project has been designed around sustainable principles to demonstrate environmentally sustainable design to students. Rainwater storage tanks will provide water for flushing of toilets and new prefabricated toilet facilities will be provided in recycled shipping containers, representing the local industry in the Glenorchy area.

“An existing weatherboard building will be remodelled and extended to provide a new Resource Centre, Music and Therapy Room, meeting rooms and staff offices to be shared by all three schools on the campus.

“Building work is expected to be completed by the end of term 1 and while building is underway the Big Picture school program will operate from the former Brent St Primary site.

“I’d like to thank architects Morrison and Breytenbach Architects and Builders Wayston Pty Ltd for their hard work on the project.

“The Glenorchy Schools Project also includes the new Montrose Bay High which will operate on the Claremont, Rosetta and Goodwood sites as the new building work is completed. All students will move to Rosetta High in 2011.

“Montrose Bay High will include a world class performing arts centre with a 450-seat theatre, a refurbished gymnasium, a new library and information centre, a new science and language centre funded by the Australian Government and a creativity courtyard with design studios, robotics lab and communications technology centre,” Mr Bartlett said.

The Glenorchy Schools project also includes:

· The amalgamation of Brent St Primary with Glenorchy primary at the Glenorchy primary site this year.
· The amalgamation of Claremont Primary and Mt Faulkner Primary and the creation of a new school -Windermere Primary School in 2011
· The amalgamation of Abbotsfield Primary and Roseneath Primary and the creation of a new school – Austin’s Ferry Primary.

Mr Bartlett said all four school communities have started planning for the amalgamations with a focus on site plans, site development and the inclusion of students, staff and parents in the vision for the new schools.

“Students from amalgamating schools in the Glenorchy Schools project will have the cost of new uniforms subsidised by the State Government.

“This is part of a State Government funding program to ease the cost burden of families of these children.

“The Glenorchy Schools Project is about every child in the Northern suburbs having a better start and access to better schools,” Mr Bartlett said.