CCBR Business Review

23 M A J O R S T O R I E S CENTRAL COAST GRAMMAR School continues to invest in exciting facilities that deliver cutting-edge teaching, learning and digital literacy capacities. During the last several years the Headmaster and School Board have been involved in a master planning process to develop facilities that will accelerate the school’s capacity to deliver the next genera- tion learning at the heart of its strategic plan. This time last year the Chairman spoke at the school’s presentation night about a viability exercise in relation to new junior school facilities. Three very high profile architectural firms had been engaged in an architectural competition to look at poten- tial design concepts. “The Junior School Building Committee has been very active during 2018 and we soon expect to be in a position to provide good news to the community about an upgrade of junior facilities,” said Headmaster Bill Low. “This is an exciting time for CCGS, poised on the brink of a leap forward in learning and facilities.” Senior students got a taste of things to come when they moved into a $2M senior English, Geography and History facility com- pleted by Stevens Construction in January. “This refurbishment was designed to reflect the very latest international thinking in learning environments,” said Mr Low. “We spent a significant amount of time research- ing best practice models to ensure that everything from the structural design to the inbuilt technology and even the furnishings would support the most productive learning environment for our students.” Existing class- rooms were pur- posely expanded and re-designed to create larger, more innovative spaces that foster enhanced collaboration and digital literacy capa- bilities. Mr Low said that a key feature of the new space is its flexibility. Furnishings can be easily adapted from open discussion mode, to lecture mode, small group work and back again - all in the space of a lesson. “The design has also taken advantage of our beautiful natural surrounds, in particular the large café style windows which increase natural light and seamlessly connect indoor and outdoor learning areas,” said Low. “Digital collaboration zones and cutting- edge technological enhancements are a standout feature within the building.” Mr Low said that while the design of the building was important, it is the interaction and engagement of students and teachers within the space that is key to fostering a collaborative learning culture. “There is a tangible link between the physical space in the classroom and the mindset of students and teachers. In this new environment default positions are being challenged as learners are liberated to work together in new ways. Students are at the centre of their learning rather than more traditional teacher-centered models.” “Prior to the work commencing, an extensive prototyping and testing period involved feedback from both teachers and students, which created a high degree of ownership of the final design. Students and teachers have thrived in this exciting new facility, a blue print for the roll out of inno- vative learning environments school-wide.” The opening of the Central Coast Grammar School’s award-winning $10M Performing Arts Centre in 2014 is testament to the school’s track record in developing state-of-the-art-facilities that drive innova- tive learning. The community would be right to anticipate another ground breaking development when the junior school pro- ject comes to fruition. Grammar’s investment in next generation learning Senior students in the new classrooms at Central Coast Grammar School CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW YEARBOOK 2018