Moreton Bay Colleges start construction on new Pre-Prep precinct
It’s been in the pipeline for years, and now a leading Brisbane school has revealed plans for a giant redevelopment, which allow even more students to attend. SEE THE PLANS
Southeast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Southeast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
One of Brisbane’s elite colleges has embarked on a new mega project with construction on a multimillion-dollar early learning redevelopment underway.
Works started recently on a revamped Pre-Prep precinct for both Moreton Bay College and Moreton Bay Boys’ College at the city’s bayside to build on the schools’ already first-class facilities.
The development, located at the Moreton Bay College campus at Manly West, includes the construction of two additional purpose built Pre-Prep learning spaces and refurbishment of the Prep and Early Learning Centre spaces.
It also includes several learning zones for children such as dedicated kitchen spaces, outdoor gardens, art spaces as well as a raised amphitheatre and sunken lounges, which the college believes will “encourage their curiosity in different mediums”.
The project, which has been in the pipeline for the college for several years, has been accelerated to respond to increasing demand for Pre-Prep enrolments.
Head of primary for Moreton Bay College, Rebecca Lennon, said the design for the learning spaces involved extensive consultation with key stakeholders, including expert lead educators in early childhood, teachers, parents, and students.
“This process was undertaken with architects selected with experience in early childhood design and inspired by reference to preschool and primary educational philosophy Reggio Emilia principles,” she said.
The colleges have also engaged Wearthy — specialists in landscaping for early childhood whose designs have been inspired by the bayside area and indigenous culture.
“One of the key tenets of the early childhood learning experiences is the ability to learn through inquiry and play,” Mrs Lennon said.
“An inquiry approach to learning is essential for brain development at this age, so thinking can be stretched and creativity is fostered.
“The extensions in our Pre-Prep precinct has provided an opportunity to focus on the natural environment as inspiration for both indoor and outdoor spaces that invite our youngest learners to engage, inquire create and discover.
“The expanded Pre-Prep spaces will allow more boys and girls to experience the unique Moreton Bay Colleges’ learning approach as they start their journey into Prep and beyond.”
The project is scheduled to be complete in January.
Push for swimming enclosure at Suttons Beach after near-drowning
With summer less than two weeks away, one family is calling for a beach enclosure to be built north of Brisbane after an NDIS provider refused a request for a lifejacket for their autistic son.
Toll road uncertainty looms over second M1 at Loganholme
Motorists are being kept in the dark about whether there will be tolls on a new planned state road at Loganholme linking the Coomera Connector to the Logan Motorway.