St Francis Catholic School in Ayr has proudly announced the completion of newly refurbished Prep classrooms, designed by i4 Architecture and constructed by Simon Bell Construction.
The project, fully funded by the school, aims to create a modern and functional learning environment for the school’s youngest students.
St Francis Catholic School Principal Amanda Jones said the design brief for the project was to create a space that would support the age-appropriate pedagogy of the school, incorporating a range of teaching methods and resources to engage young learners and achieve effective learning outcomes.
“Some features of the new Prep classrooms include a raised stage for interactive learning experiences, a reading nook cut out in the wall for quiet reading time, and open display shelving to showcase the students' work,” Ms Jones said.
“One of the main objectives of the refurbishment was to provide a conducive environment for inside/outside learning and activities.
“This means that students can now access resources such as paint easels, blocks, water troughs, and construction materials at any time throughout the day.
“This not only promotes independent learning but also encourages our students to be creative and engaged in their learning experiences.”
The two prep classrooms have also been given themes to create an even more immersive learning experience: one classroom has a Reef theme, complete with underwater murals and coral reef-inspired soft furnishings, while the other classroom has a Rainforest theme, with lush greenery painted on the walls and flexible seating options to match.
“We believe in developing students' critical and creative thinking skills, including imagination and risk-taking abilities,” Ms Jones said.
“This is a vital part of the Australian Curriculum, and the new Prep classrooms are designed to support this objective.
“By fostering students' curiosity about the world around them, we hope to nurture their love for learning and set them on the path to success.
“The completion of this refurbishment project represents our commitment to providing the best possible learning environment for our students.
“We are excited to see how the new Prep classrooms will benefit our young learners and help them reach their full potential.”