Pore over the plans of the new San Damiano school and it’s easy to see a covered area ready for physical education activities, right down to the detail of indoor soccer nets and basketball hoops.
There’s a library, special art building, another for industrial arts, science, food studies, a library, a canteen and an area for the executive team.
What’s more difficult to see is the philosophy of learning which will be part of the school from day 1.
Already, principal Peter Edwards and his team are looking at ways to get the most out of each individual student.
And there’s no better time to embed a system than with about 75 students in the first year of learning.
Mr Edwards is looking to implement a program which adheres to the important facets of curriculum education, including the basics of mathematics, English and science.
But beyond that, he wants to acknowledge that not all students will dream of a future within a traditional scope.
Rather, they’ll want to see the world and in some cases, change the world.
For others, it will be ambitions of a simpler, yet fulfilling life.
That’s where “genius hour” kicks in.
“We’ve coined genius hour which allows students to follow their passion,” Mr Edwards said.
“It might be a language they want to learn, robotics, farming, who knows? It’s really up to them.”
Mr Edwards said it was all about allowing teenagers to be teenagers, allowing them to learn in a positive environment, whether that be outside the classroom or in it.
“There will be fun places to learn, comfortable chairs to laze in the library, high stools and lounges in classrooms which allow students to stand or sit, and innovative lesson times,” he said.
“It’s true, learning isn’t what we remember it to be, but that’s the exciting part – being able to shape individual minds in a way they all deserve.”
