The Lake Cathie Public School will shortly reflect classrooms where flexible learning areas replicate the modern workplace.
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NSW minister for education Rob Stokes on Tuesday announced the school’s 10 demountables will be replaced with 17 permanent state-of-the-art classrooms.
The work is expected to be complete by 2020.
“We will provide future-focused learning spaces which are much more flexible than being rigid, battery hen-style classrooms,” he said.
“Work places today are quite different than what they were. These classrooms will reflect that change.
“We are providing learning areas that are based on promoting creativity and critical thinking skills; our classrooms will emulate the modern workplace.
“From my experience, having flexible learning areas enables students to be genuinely engaged where they can learn at their own pace.”
He said the announcement was exciting and provides the opportunity to build the school from the ground up to reflect a 21st century learning facility.
Mr Stokes praised Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams’ ‘vision’ for establishing the school before residential development escalated.
We are providing learning areas that are based on promoting creativity and critical thinking skills; our classrooms will emulate the modern workplace.
- Rob Stokes
“Leslie and the former minister had the foresight to get the school ready prior to the residential developments in this area,” he said.
“It is a real credit that Leslie had the vision for the social infrastructure and the associated ‘soft’ infrastructure that promotes and fosters community.”
Mrs Williams said the construction of the 17 permanent structures would see a very different landscape for the school.
“It enables us to work very closely with the staff and the school community to ensure we meet their needs,” she said.
“This is very exciting for me and vindicates what I said to ministers of other persuasions before we came into government: this school was needed to cater for the significant growth of this area.
“The government understands that this is a growth area. This work will realise a permanent asset for this community.”
School principal Jock Garvan said the work, once completed, would see the school become more involved with its local community.
Mr Stokes said work on the permanent buildings will be undertaken with minimal disruption to students’ learning.
The project is currently at tender.