St Mark’s College in Port Pirie have just opened a new senior secondary building. It is an innovatively designed precinct for Year 12s. There are a series of rooms and spaces which will become the hub and home to the Year 12s. There was a simple ceremony to enter that included cutting a red ribbon at the door, quaffing a champagne flute full of lemonade and creating a toast to learning. The opening was also about the excitement of what a new space means for the Year 12 journey.
The Year 12s walked into a ‘wow factor’ of glass, light, vibrancy and flexibility, with lounge chairs, kitchen facilities and an outdoor decking but underpinning it all is educational research and learning philosophy. Things were built with purpose. The students may have noted the coffee machine, microwaves, the huge 50 litre fridge, the modular lounge chairs and knew that this space was not about the traditional classroom life. Things have changed and the thinking about how we learn has changed. This is relational, collaborative, flexible and quite unique. The key understanding is that environments encourage learning and students learn differently. A building has to inspire and set itself up to accommodate diversity. This new building will inspire, could distract, and probably give Year 12s a sense that they are special and part of the wonderful privilege of scholarship.
Please follow the link to find out more about St Mark's College
Intergenerational playgroups are truly something special — an experience that enriches the lives of both the young and the older members of our community. These playgroups are more than just a space for children to play; they are a vital platform for different generations to come together, share wisdom, and build meaningful relationships.
