While tradition and a simple, rural, family school charm are all cornerstones of Oakhill College, it is critical that we offer contemporary learning spaces which are designed to deliver modern ways of learning.
To embrace technology as a tool for research, learning and communication, Oakhill College needs to upgrade and enhance their current science and technology facilities, which includes science labs that have not been significantly upgraded since being built in the late 1960’s.
I am thrilled that we have committed to the College Master Plan, having engaged the services of BVN Architects, to commence the design of an inspirational and modern Innovation Hub. This will house both Science and TAS faculties, offering our students a state-of-the-art learning environment.
The proposed Innovation Hub will provide spaces for hybrid workshops (timber, fabrication and robotics), computer and graphics workshops and science and laboratory spaces. This will offer an experience of schooling that will prepare students to thrive in a rapidly changing world, empower students to explore new ideas, reflect and become knowledge-creators with their peers.
The Innovation Hub will provide a suite of state-of-the-art labs, facing into the centre of the school site. Incredibly and coincidentally, after all these years, the science and technology labs will be on the same footprint as the original science building built around 1938.
The proposed Innovation Hub will be built on the northern side of the College site, at the western end of the car park located off Armidale Crescent. Oriented towards the heart of the campus to the south, the design has been developed to reduce potential impacts on nearby residential properties.
We are currently going through the process of collecting thoughts and feedback on the proposal from neighbours of the College campus, this will be done via an online webinar. Once the design phase has been finalised, construction is expected to commence in the second half of 2020 with a view of it being ready for use at the commencement of 2022.
This is a very exciting development for all involved and I look forward to keeping you updated along the way as the Innovation Hub develops.