Banyule's Exciting Projects

Banyule primary school council is continually supporting projects aimed at improving both the learning and the physical environment of the school. Some of our recent achievements include:

What projects are happening now?

All our other current projects have been completed, but we have many more in the coming months!

Future Plans:

New Class rooms and Library: A Learning Neighbourhood

Banyule Primary School is in phase one of the Building The Education Revolution program (BER). This means that from July 2009, builders will begin the task of providing the school with a state of the art learning centre for students. These plans include four new classrooms, a library, seminar room, wet areas, withdrawal rooms, offices and internal toilets. We are very excited about the prospect of teaching and learning in innovative and open learning spaces.

New Science/Kitchen Room

Banyule PS is in phase one of the National Schools Pride program. (NSP). This funding of around $100,000 will allow us refurbish an old building and turn it into a fantastic science/kitchen room. Students will be able to do cooking and science classes as a whole class with all the modern conveniences. Thanks to the “Go For Your Life’ grant, we also have funding for new fridges and ovens. Thanks to our brilliant and hard working Parents and Friends Committee and the community who supported their fundraising efforts, this room will be fitted out with new and modern equipment and materials, including an interactive whiteboard and a bank of computers.

Solar Panels

We hope to install solar panels on the roof of the Infant building during term 3 or 4 2009. The National Solar Schools Program (NSSP) will provide $50,000.00 for this. Students will monitor the use of electricity via a monitor in the new science room. Hopefully with our efforts to reduce energy consumption we can eventually feed back into the grid and save some money at the same time.

New Sand Pit Roof

The sails over the large sand pit are about to be replaced with a colour bond roof that will provide protection and safety for all the children who enjoy playing in this area. The NSP Program should provide around $25,000 for this project.

Heating

The heating system in the school is about to be upgraded (June 2009) so that each and every classroom has individual heaters. This means that teachers can control the temperatures in their own classrooms ensuring a comfortable learning environment for students. DEECD provided $20,000 for this project.

Our most recent projects

Water Tanks

We now have large water tanks installed to feed into all toilets to help minimise the school's water consumption.

We hope to continue becoming active in developing a real sense of what it means to prepare for a sustainable future.

New staff toilets

With the new water tanks now installed, we have also installed a new suite of staff toilets serviced by the water tanks as part of our sustainability program.

First aid room

The first aid room is now close to the office, and is much more accessible and secure.

New car park

A brand new, lined staff car park provides a safe and professional entry to the school

New pathway into the school

A brand new path was built on the Miriam Road side of the school so that children and visitors could enter and leave the school safely without having to cross the busy car park. The path is lined with hand made terracotta tiles made by the grade 5&6 children.

Children's Toilets

You have never seen children's toilets like ours! The girls are decorated in 'Barbie Pink' and the boys have 'Lizard Green'. With the help of our $50,000 Commonwealth Water Grant, all toilets are dual flushing and the taps turn off themselves and….they don't smell thanks to our great cleaning staff and children who respect our school.

The Banks

The main entry to the school has been completely reinforced and revegetated with the help of some fantastic parents who built a retaining wall and worked at the working bees. The children have planted a variety of plants on National Tree Planting Days and there's more to come. We have just received a Telstra grant to complete this planting project.

The Shelter and the ovals

Thanks to some more Commonwealth funding we have managed to resurface both playing ovals, with the addition of new soccer and footy posts. A fantastic shelter has been built between the two main buildings, providing a dry, safe area for playing, assemblies, performances and special activities. The giant chess set is a feature of this area.

Refurbished library and computer room

Our computer room has 27 new computers, all linked to classroom computers. A newly installed projector allows for efficient teaching of computer skills for large groups of children. Cultural Awareness and Extension programs often utilise the computer room using such programs as Kahootz and Powerpoint.

Interactive Whiteboards

School council has been responsible for purchasing interactive whiteboards in EVERY classroom. These state of the art boards contribute to improved engagement and motivation for student learning, at the same time opening up the world via the internet for every child on the BIG screen.

It's terrific to see students

moving objects around,

learning how to spell,

figuring out number patterns,

creating moving projects -

just to mention a few things.

The staff use the interactive boards

for professional development days

and for sharing and discussing data

and whole school information.

And because the whiteboards

are truly interactive, students

really enjoy participating -

- without worrying mums

about chalk dust and duster

duty.

New Blinds in ALL classrooms

Every classroom has been fitted with Holland blinds. Not only does this add to the professional learning environment, but they provide controlled lighting for such things as using the interactive whiteboards.

Music Specialist

School council has been responsible for initiating a fantastic music program across the whole school. This has now developed into an on-going program loved by the children.

School Projects