By Jasmine Franklin
In six months, Ponoka Composite High School will start to get a new look to better meet the needs of modern education.
“Education is changing and the way kids are learning is changing,” said principal Ian Rawlison. “Kids in today’s world learn differently, they don’t learn in boxes; we based the remodelling of what we believe the building needs to meet the kids educational needs and not just the teachers’.”
Floor plans have been designed with input from students, parents and teachers. The redesigned school will combine traditional class spaces, open individual spaces and team space as a way to help collaborate both the student body and faculty.
“Teachers will be put together in different areas, but work all together,” said Rawlinson. “For example, all the humanities teachers will work in one environment together, then go ahead and teach those strategies in individual environments.”
“It’s an approach where teachers are more than teachers. They are coaches and moderators as well.”
“It’s really exciting. The staff are just tickled with what we’ve come up with.”
The floor plan also makes a point to integrate technology throughout the building by providing access to computers and laptops across the school and not solely in designated classrooms.
A drama theatre that holds 150 people will also be built in the school.
Construction costs and dates
The total $23 million construction project is scheduled to begin June 2010 where phase 1 of the project will take off, Rawlinson said. Phase 1, costing $10 million, includes a new mechanical room and re-construction of the humanities and math/science areas. A time estimate for this work ranges between 18 months to two years.
“We wanted to start with the classrooms because that’s where the greatest impact is,” Rawlinson said.”
The $23 million funding is supplied from the provincial government through an infrastructure funding grant. After completion of the first phase, Wolf Creek School division will have to apply for the rest of the funding needed for phase 2.
Phase 2 will include renovations to the gymnasium, CTS and fine arts areas and the drama theatre. These projects are expected to take one year.
Student life during construction
“We recognize there will be a challenge in how the school runs during these renovations,” Rawlison said. “But there shouldn’t be any major disturbances to learning.”
“This is huge for us. Our students are just awesome here and they really embrace change. Primarily, I think the new building will bring a new spirit and exciting atmosphere.”
Rawlinson explained that since his arrival to the school two years ago, staff have been working diligently to making a remodelling plan.