KingsfordSmithSchool

At Kingsford Smith School we have worked hard over the last few years to establish our new school as a safe and caring place to learn. We have developed enormous links to our local community to help ensure that we have all the resources and skills available to maximise student learning.

Our School has the following goals:

Engage all students in academically challenging learning

Nuture a safe and caring environment

Foster collaborative relationships within our community

Develop learning pathways so all students can reach their vocational potential

Empowers students as learners and leaders in our community

Promote a passion for the Arts

Our school is named after Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, one of Australia's best known aviators and we have taken the opportunity to build and develop a school with great standing and purpose in our community. Kingsford Smith Drive is a major road in our area as is Southern Cross Drive (which is the name of his plane).

We work in partnership with our parents and carers and know that the partnership between school and home plays a crucial role in the learning of our students. We have high expectations in the areas of learning progress, behaviour and attendance. Our focus is on providing students with a strong literacy and numeracy focus so that they can build and develop the skills and experiences they need to be successful in their futures.

Project Description

The Brief for the West Belconnen Regional School identifies accommodation for approximately 1,100 students and up to 110 teaching and ancillary staff. At peak enrolment level, the school may be required to accommodate up to 1,200 students, with additional capacity achieved through the provision of temporary transportable units.

The design must address the following objectives:

privacy and dignity for all students.

secure and safe environment for all students.

The facilities that are considered to be primarily for special needs students are to be fitted out, located and designed to create attractive positive spaces.

The following design features are to be incorporated in all learning units:

learning areas designed to link spaces visually, physically and in terms of function;

dedicated spaces available for activities such as meetings, parent interviews and work with individual students;

disabled toilets, ramps and other facilities provided to guarantee access and use by all students and members of the school community;

facilities and equipment to ensure that student needs can be met without compromising occupational health and safety;

recreation and play areas designed and purpose-built to ensure that all students are able to participate in activities and;

appropriate spaces and equipment to develop students’ independence and community living skills.

The buildings are to be oriented to provide good ventilation, pleasant vistas and indirect natural light, without allowing direct sunlight to enter any of the classrooms or office spaces. Environmentally Sustainable Design will be a key project focus.

Facilities such as the hall, gym and library will be made accessible to the general Community after hours and weekends