A MAJOR redevelopment is in the works for Penola High School ahead of a significant shift in South Australia’s education system.
By 2022, Year 7s will be removed from the primary school system and fall under the secondary school banner in line with interstate standards.
As a result, three classrooms at the Cameron Street facility will be redeveloped as a learning centre for incoming Year 7s and 8s.
The new development will be located within the current Penola Community Library space, which will move to downstairs classrooms alongside the site’s first public disability toilet and baby change facility.
It will include a learning centre with an open office space for the middle school coordinator and several teachers.
A safe play space will also be created on the western lawns.
Although costings are yet to be announced the redevelopment will also include a Year 12 common room which will include new furniture and a kitchenette for senior students.
The new common room will provide a space for students to bond as a class and study for their final year of school.
The development was announced by Penola High School Student Representative Council president Ebony Moulton last week.
“We have decided to create a safe space for these Year 7 students to learn along with the Year 8 students in order for them to ease into high school and ease into their learning without being thrown in the deep end with all the older students,” Ms Moulton said.
She said the Year 12 common room would allow senior students to bond during their final year as well as provide a calm space to study.
“For the Year 12s to hang out as a class and create that bond is really important,” the senior student said.
“There will be pictures of the plans coming out soon and we are all very excited about it and cannot wait to see what will come in 2022.”
School principal Ngaire Benfell said the redevelopment was a step forward for the educational facility.
“The school and governing council are excited about being highly responsive to the needs of Year 7 students and their families in making a purposely designed space where both our new Year 7 and 8 students in 2022 can make a smooth and supported transition into the wider school at their own pace,” Ms Benfell said.
“We are also working closely with the Penola High School teacher librarian, our community library assistant Ali Bond and Millicent Library manager Janice Nitshke to effectively design a brand new modern library to meet the needs of all patrons including students and community members.”
Mount Gambier 2 portfolio education director Doctor Ruth Schubert said the development was still in its concept phase and was about supporting the move from primary school to high school, ensuring students had an appropriate place to learn.
“The refurbishment of the spaces in the building is exciting and supportive for the Year 7s and 8s coming into Penola High School in 2022,” Dr Schubert said.
“There has been a small amount of funding allocated to the school which previously received extra funding so they will work out how they will utilise that money.”
The education director said development such as the Year 12 common room was important for senior students.
“Having a space for them to study and making it a professional study space is critical in students final year of school,” she said.
