St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School in Glendenning is getting a new, modern look. A multi-storey building will replace current classrooms and should be completed by October 2021.
Approximately $13 million from the Commonwealth Government and the Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta will be spent to provide 21st Century learning spaces that promote a Catholic faith environment.
One of the big questions during the design process was: How can this building be sustainable? The new building at St Francis will be the first in the Diocese to use geothermal energy. This involves 40m poles being buried in the ground below the building. These poles will absorb the heat from the soil and turn it into electricity for the school to use. Other sustainable features will include solar panels that will be built into the roof of the building and large windows that will allow natural light to fill the classrooms.
“I am so proud to be at a school where they care about the future of our planet. St Francis of Assisi Primary School is doing their part to reduce the use of fossil fuels by using sustainable energy sources,” said Year 5 student Layla Dimicalli.
A computer generated image of the new building at St Francis of Assisi Primary, Glendenning. Image: Supplied.
The new building will include multiple learning spaces such as breakout rooms, booths with televisions and amphitheatre-style seating. The learning will spill outside with undercover learning pods and kitchens.
“I felt strongly that the St Francis students needed and deserved the best possible 21st Century learning spaces they can have because every St Francis student is important to me,” Principal Jennifer Bellenger stated.
The school’s playground will also receive an upgrade. The students are excited to have a resurfaced basketball court, a new futsal soccer field, water play area and large undercover playground.
Enrolments are open for new families who wish to send their children to St Francis of Assisi Primary School Glendenning and once the new building is finished, it will be open for the community to view.
To find out more information, please visit https://www.stfrancisglendenning.catholic.edu.au/
This article was written by Year 5 students from St Francis of Assisi Primary, Glendenning.
