Development Update 30th July 2009
It has been 12 weeks since construction commenced and I am happy to report that the new car park facing D Block will be completed in approximately 2 weeks.
The new staff block progresses well and now that the concrete slab has been completed we will see the steel framed building take shape very quickly.
Weekly on site meetings with the builders continue and both parties are happy with the progress to date.
New photos of the progress are below:
Development Update 29th May 2009
As announced in the recent “Building their Future” flyer Kane Constructions has been appointed as the builder for the first stage of what now will be $7M worth of building projects over the next 18 months.
This first stage includes :
· Senior School Staff facility
· Additional car parking
· Additional Science laboratory/D&T facilities and general purpose classrooms.
On Monday 25th May, demolition commenced behind the newly installed construction fencing and already the frontage of the Hall has been changed considerably.
There will be weekly meetings on site with the builders to ensure good communication and any school concerns are addressed quickly.
We look forward with anticipation to seeing the new building take shape over the coming weeks and months.
See photos of the work carried out so far below:
SUSTAINABILITY and “Building Their Future”
One element of the planned $7M of new development being undertaken at Oxford Falls Grammar School does require existing green space to be removed. The new car parking spaces adjacent to D Block will involve the removal of a number of trees.
I am aware that for many OFGS parents this is a matter of some concern and I would like to answer frequently asked questions about the current approach OFGS has taken.
- Q : Doesn’t Oxford Falls Grammar School (OFGS) have enough car parking already ?
A: We are blessed with many car parking spaces already. Many parents are supportive of additional car parking. However the additional 18 space car park is part of council conditions for approval for use of our school site. Without OFGS being able to provide on site car parking to meet council regulations the school population would have been capped many years ago.
- Q: Why not improve the Wakehurst Parkway parking area and create a pathway for students and parents to access school ?
A : Unfortunately the land on which all this could be accomplished is not owned by OFGS and is a combination of RTA owned land and community land. Building improvements are not permitted.
- Q : Removal of trees will result in the removal of wildlife habitats ?
A: Whilst no specific wildlife habitat has been identified in any of the trees to be removed, OFGS agrees completely with this sentiment and has committed to replace the trees removed with new trees in a nearby location. We agree this will be a positive environmental message to our students and to the OFGS community as a whole.
How is Sustainability being addressed by OFGS in other elements of the proposed development.
- Water harvesting from the new Junior School shade structure.
- Water harvesting from the completed resource centre for use on the school oval.
- Solar panels to be installed onto the existing D block roof under the Federal Government National Solar Schools Program.
- Extensions to resource centre and hall will meet the energy requirements of Section J (Energy Efficiency) of the Building Code of Australia , and use appropriate low carbon footprint base construction materials.
Building the Education Revolution in primary schools.
Some parents may be familiar with the recently announced Building Education Revolution as part of the National stimulus package recently announced by the Federal Government as one of the measures it is taking to minimise the impact of the economic downturn we are in.
I have copied below some of the briefing notes we have received and want to assure the school community we are taking advantage of every opportunity for funding to add to and improve the our school facilities.
The Australian Government will deliver a $14.7 billion boost to the Education Revolution over the next three financial years. Building the Education Revolution (BER) begins this year and will provide new facilities and refurbishments in schools so Australia’s 9 540 schools can meet the needs of 21st century students and teachers.
Every Australian school will be able to access a part of the Government’s investment of $987.2 million during the 2008–09 financial year, $8.5 billion over 2009–10 and $5.2 billion in 2010–11. BER complements the existing and planned investments by the states and territories and non-government systems and schools.
This is a critical component of the Government’s economic stimulus package, giving our schools the attention they so richly deserve. To ensure that BER has the greatest impact on job creation, it is essential that construction and maintenance work commences as quickly as possible.
The program builds on the Rudd Government’s commitment to deliver a world-class education to all Australian schools.
The three key elements of BER are:
- Primary Schools for the 21st Century: $12.4 billion to build or renew large scale infrastructure in all primary schools and K–12s , including libraries, halls and indoor sporting centres.
- Science and Language Centres for 21st Century Secondary Schools: $1 billion to build up to 500 new science laboratories and language learning centres in secondary schools that can demonstrate both need and readiness and capacity to complete construction by 30 June 2010.
- National School Pride Program: $1.3 billion to refurbish and renew existing infrastructure and build minor infrastructure of up to $200 000, subject to the size of the school.
A project control group has already met and established priorities for the funding.
I will keep you informed as more information becomes available.
This funding presents itself as an amazing opportunity for Oxford Falls Grammar School to extend the Resource Centre and upgrade the Hall into a multi purpose Hall and Performing Arts centre. Both of these projects will greatly enhance the delivery of educational outcomes at Oxford Falls Grammar School.
Week 1
As well as welcoming back families to the 2009 school year, I would like to update the school community with progress on the planned building project we are about to embark on.
As many of you already know we currently have in place an approved Development Application for the following building works :
- Senior School staff room
- Existing staff room conversion to future D&T learning areas.
- Senior School student reception and meeting rooms
- Classroom conversion to new science laboratory in E block
- Additional car parking
The process followed to get to the point of issuing tender documents has been one guided and controlled by the Oxford Falls Grammar School Project Control Group.
This group comprises Mr Philip Butcher of Rooney & Bye as Project Manager,
a school board representative Mr Gary Reardon, the Architect Mr Greg Nelson and myself.
After many meetings and consultations with teacher representatives, Tender documents have been completed and are presently with several builders for them to submit a tender price. We are hoping to see some preliminary building activity before the end of March and will update you with specific dates in the next few weeks.
I plan to give Fortnightly Development updates to keep you informed as well as relating important information about matters such as school access and anticipated changes to the routine and life of Oxford Falls Grammar School throughout the building process. You can be assured every effort has been and will be taken to ensure a safe construction zone that will minimise as far as possible impact on school life.
Greg Morris
Head of Operations.