Phase 1 and Phase 2
Phase 1 commenced in July and, as we go to print, we are hopeful that the handover date, Monday 15th December, will be met. The building company ELPS, Mr Fernandez de la Campa and Mr Lynch are working hard to ensure that all set dates in the planning schedule are met so that the first part of the project is delivered on time and to the required standards.
On Friday 21st November a Pilot Classroom was completed and shown to the primary staff so they would have a very clear understanding of the classrooms that will be provided within the new building. Two groups of staff visited the site, seeing first-hand the dimensions and layout of the classroom and providing the opportunity for questions to be answered and for suggestions from staff to be assimilated.
As we near the end of Phase 1 we are also starting to plan and prepare for Phase 2 - the demolition and renovation of the secondary block that runs from the English classrooms to, and including, the biology laboratory. Staff involved in this move are already packing and preparing for the transition. This transition will see the secondary classes moving (temporarily until the end of this academic year) into the new building; the building that is ultimately assigned for Primary. The reasons for this are:
- Short holiday for a Primary move - Pri-mary have a lot of equipment, relocating these over the Christmas period would be difficult.
- Two moves simultaneously - a move of Primary to the new building and Secondary into the temporary block would necessitate the temporary block, currently used by Primary, to be vacated and cleared . The time available over the winter holiday would make this very difficult to complete before the start of the new term.
- Away from construction zone - the current transition plans keep our youngest students away from the construction site for the vast majority of the building project.
- A new adjustment - although the sum-mer move went very well, it was also stressful and burdensome for our staff who have just settled into new accommodation. The young students have also adjusted and assimilated the routines and expectations of their new accommodation. Another, almost immediate change was deemed inappropriate for students and staff.
- Drop-off zone - if Primary moved to the new building the arrangements at the beginning of the day for dropping off and escorting the younger students to their classroom would be affected and we would need additional staffing.
As we will have access to the new building on Monday 15th December we are looking to stage one of our annual Christmas Celebrations in the new facility. Holding this celebration in school will provide the opportunity for the community to see the new building whilst allowing the school community to celebrate Christmas, the end of a hectic term and the completion of Phase 1 of the building project together. More details will follow but the date is set for Thursday 18th December and we ask that you mark this important date clearly in your calendar.