Flexible furniture included in Sydney’s ‘school of the future’
A 21st century approach to the construction of new schools in Sydney has been reflected in new plans for the Lindfield Learning Hub as enrolment demand soars past the projected capacity.
North Shore
Don't miss out on the headlines from North Shore. Followed categories will be added to My News.
New plans have been revealed for Sydney’s “school of the future” as enrolment demand soars past the projected capacity of 2000 students.
The Department of Education has released updated plans for the second and third stages of the Lindfield Learning Hub to accommodate an extra 1650 kindergarten to Year 12 students at the site by 2021.
Plans show the six storey development would include new metal workshops, science labs, drama theatres, outdoor play areas, unisex toilet blocks, visual art rooms and health learning areas.
The 21st century approach to the construction of new schools will also extend to canteens under strategies increasing the amount of healthy food options by 75 per cent. Shower areas will also be provided to teachers to encourage staff to cycle to work.
The first stage of the project – located at the former UTS Ku-ring-gai site – has already been completed, accommodating 350 students in the current school year.
Construction for the second and third stages will be split into three sections – expanding the school’s headcount to 385 students by January next year, 1050 in the second stage and 2000 once completed in 2021.
The works will also involve repurposing existing buildings including turning music rooms into Year 9 and 10 learning spaces and the gymnasium into out of school care areas.
School principal Stephanie McConnell said the modern facility would include flexible furniture in teaching areas and spaces for group learning where students are encouraged to call teachers by their first names.
Ms McConnell said the appeal of the facility had already resulted in the school’s waiting list topping 2500 applications among local families.
“Particularly in the leafy north shore, a lot of people were quite surprised at the appeal that the school has had,” she said.
“I think what you see is that there are no classrooms. We have learning spaces that are designed for stage groups.
“Flexible furniture is something that many schools in NSW are using but it is something that is really quite an interesting component in the larger learning spaces.”
New plans released on Friday come after submissions from residents, councils and government agencies raised concerns over noise, traffic congestion, impacts on public transport and bushfire risks due to the site’s proximity to the Lane Cove National Park.
The updated proposal shows works to reduce traffic impacts include staggered school start times – ranging from 8.50am to 9.10am in mornings and 2.50pm to 3.30pm in afternoons.
The region’s private bus operator, Transdev, has also been tasked with investigating extra services on the 565 bus route, linking the school to Chatswood and Macquarie University.
Questions, however, remain over the school’s catchment area – something the department said was “still being determined.”
The department said congestion would partly be addressed through a “green travel plan” aimed at reducing car usage by encouraging the uptake of cycling, walking, public transport and car pooling.
Modelling predicted 65 per cent of students would reach the site by bus, 10 per cent by bike or by foot and 25 per cent by car – generating 314 vehicle movements in peak periods.
Residents have questioned the modelling, with one submission stating: “The planners seem ignorant or indifferent to the extent that senior students will drive to the school and park in surrounding streets.”
“There is already congestion without the school operating. Unless there are changes, there will be chaos at school drop-off and pick-up times,” the resident said.
Plans show the right turning bay at the Pacific Hwy at Grosvenor St intersection would be extended to address increased traffic, while a one-way link road is also planned from Dunstan Grove to the site which would be “handed over to play space outside of drop-off and pick-up times.”
Updated plans show a childcare centre originally proposed has been removed from the project.
Once completed, the school would have 1115 students in primary levels, 885 in senior classes and 312 staff.
The Department of Education said the project would provide a modern learning environment and alleviate enrolment demand at other public schools on the north shore.
“The phase one school is operating successfully and is attracting positive attention for its unique education model,” plans state.
“The proposal will take substantial pressure off existing public schools within the surrounding locality and ensure more children have access to new state of the art school facilities, learning spaces and equipment.”
Public submissions are being accepted until December 12.