During the last 5 years a plan has been put in place to upgrade all of the facilities of the school to create a positive environment for both students and staff to work within. Initially this was a continuing part of the amalgamation process to form Ross Smith Secondary, and since early 2000 it has been further developed as part of our Partnerships 21 Asset Management Plan.
There have been some new facilities built and significant upgrades to other areas of the school. An ongoing plan of high quality facilities maintenance is in place.
This has been resourced through Major Capital works, Back to Schools grant funding and through P21 savings. The staging of these developments over quite a longperiod of time has enabled the school itself to manage many of these projects.
- Changes that have taken place have included:
• The building of a Performing Arts Centre to house the teaching of Drama and Music, including state of the Theatre Technology and a Music Computer laboratory.
This centre is named after David Campbell, a former student of the school, who has made a name for himself in the entertainment industry.
• The upgrade and extension of Technology Studies facilities to include a number of Computing rooms, Digital Photography and Computer Aided Design workshops
and a Clothing and Textiles area
• Installation of a Fibre Optic Local Area Network to service Curriculum computers across the school
• A significant increases and systematic upgrade of computer hardware cross the school through a coordinated 3 year IT plan to both keep abreast of currentdevelopments in computer technology, as well as increase student and staff access in the learning program
• Building of computing benches in various areas of the school
• Installation of reverse cycle or split level airconditioners across the school
• Adaptation of the school for students with Physical Disabilities through the LINK, by provision of specialist teaching areas, ramp access to all buildings in the school, as well as a lift to service the two storey building
• Development of specialist rooms for Aboriginal Education, Special Education, the teaching of English as a Second Language, and a Senior School Study area
• Painting and carpeting of all general teaching areas, painting of gymnasium and assembly hall
• Upgrade of 1 Home Economics kitchen
• Replacement of all student furniture with new stock
• Remodelling of the main foyer of the school
• Painting and carpeting of the Administration block, including the staffroom and staff workrooms
• Conversion and upgrade of both floor Science laboratories to general teaching areas
• Removal of all excess transportable classrooms
The upgrade plan will continue for several years yet and will include the completion of the upgrade of the Science laboratories, the redevelopment of Visual Art facilities to meet changing curriculum needs, the upgrade of the second Home Economics Kitchen and the remodelling of the staff amenities kitchen.
A separate plan is in place to address the need to improve outdoor teaching areas. Recent improvements have been the increased provision of shade and shelter areas for students, and the annexing of excess oval and vacant space to the Agriculture block. A future priority is to improve the condition of both the tennis and basketball courts.
These developments will be in addition to the implementation of the ongoing maintenance plan.
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