Every day, it's school business vs construction. On this day, the buses arrive for swimming lessons while the heavy machinery descend on the site for a concrete pour.
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The term "take away" has new meaning as the canteen is demolished. The plans for what is "on the menu" for the new canteen is not yet finalised.
On the very day of the slab being laid, the slab is sufficiently dry to allow the surfacing work to be done. Fascinating! Mr DN tries his hand at a spot of concreting in between school tasks. Just an ordinary day for these kids, completely unfazed by the goings on. Again, another reminder of how important STEAM subjects are to our everyday lives. Making stuff happen with Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.
Meanwhile, other areas on the site are progressing despite the heavy rain. Occasionally, building supply deliveries to the site complicate the school pick up and drop off. The steady flow of construction traffic in these residential streets has been kindly tolerated by our neighbours. Thank you to our school families for being understanding as well, particularly when looking for a parking spot during rainy periods. A NEW BUILDING TAKES BABY STEPS. HOW CUTE!We’ve been recently learning in our house about the exoskeletons of invertebrates, and about how molluscs create shells. This came to mind when looking through the scaffolding of the new exercise deck. This area is currently undergoing a kind of industrial sized metamorphosis, as preparations are made for pouring the concrete slab. From above, it resembles the expansive deck of an aircraft carrier, HMAS Victorious Parkus. From below, it is all steel and concrete. Not that I am complaining! This ground and first floor area will allow for parking below and a recreation deck above.
You'd be forgiven for thinking that we might actually be constructing a swimming pool at school. Actually, the re-development requires a certain volume of on-site water as part of a fire service response. When completed these rectangular concrete structures will be lined and water filled (2 x 80,000 Litre tanks). Also, they'll also be used to hold-up a fair portion of the first floor recreation deck.
Once upon a time an architect, site manager and another building guy walked into the school hall. Overcoming the initial shock of presenting to 27 Year 4 students, they expertly outlined the design and engineering principles behind the new fire tanks and recreation deck.
There is a certain anxiety to have things ready for the start of term. I am so glad and appreciative that things have turned out as well as can be expected. Despite the dust and dirt, we are on our way again to rebuild Regent College. This time around, it is construction at the forefront of our minds. We are occupied with the business of learning along with the heavy load of logistics and practicalities. With so much energy invested in making each day work, I am grateful for the good things that happen each day, particularly when the situation seems a bit dire to start with. There is some fun to be had too. The big machines have been descending on to the site. Buildings are dwarfed by the excavatosaur and craneosauras, as they make light work of demolition. The big truckasaur brings sand to the site as part of the groundworks.
It's interesting how in a renovation/rebuild like ours, the small spaces of the school come into sharp focus. Suddenly you are aware of the thoroughfares, the storage places, and the breezeways between buildings. The paths that students tread from the front gates to classrooms take on new importance. We've been able to examine these spaces with new eyes, which has resulted in a few transformations (like the makeover of an under-utilised space into an alfresco area). The playgrounds themselves are in a state of flux. We have revamped the early learning centre playground as the first order of business. You can see the time-lapse for this project below. In some ways, the playground may seem sparse and there is no climbing equipment or swings or slides. But this is an environment designed for children to utilise curiosity and creativity to generate play and learning. Loose parts, such as the bamboo rods below, are introduced as a provocation for learning. A few years ago I had opportunity to travel on a study tour to Scotland with renown international 'educational and experiential pioneer', Claire Warden. Our setting is fairly removed from that of rural Scotland, but we can incorporate many of the play elements with our inner city setting. Another inspiring playground can be found in down town Manhattan (New York City), which I discovered while on holiday. While I'll pick up on this again later, you might like a little preview of the Imagination Playground in Manhattan. I was so inspired by the blue blocks in the Imagination Playground that a set has been ordered for Regent College. Later this year we expect a delivery all the way from the US, thanks to the support of the College P&F.
Rarely in life do you get the satisfaction of a total make-over. The experience is better when you get to watch other people do all the work. Even better, watching it in time lapse. |
AuthorSThis blog is a collaborative effort from the Regent College community - staff, students, parents, neighbours etc. It's one way of documenting the challenges and joys associated with rebuilding our much-loved school. |