Students build a better school

Kate Lemmon | 18th November 2009

A STUDENT-designed and constructed lunch area at Ipswich State High School has been hailed as both a sun-smart success and innovative achievement.

ISHS principal Simon Riley and Manual Arts head of department Neville Jesse coined an idea that students could create somewhere comfortable to sit that was in close proximity to the school’s canteen.

It was also a wonderful activity to identify leadership qualities in students taking on roles as safety officers, site foreman, planners, store persons and team members.

“Site preparation commenced in April 2009 and the initial pouring of concrete began in July 2009,” Mr Jesse said.

“The work was carried out over a period of two school terms and approximately 35 year 11 and Year 12 students were involved in the process from preparation to installation, and was funded by the P and C.

“The benefits were seeing the students acquire new skills and proficiencies in areas such as; laser levelling, concrete formwork, steel fixing for concrete reinforcing, laying concrete, concrete finishing and finally set-out installation of tables and seating.

“It was also gratifying to see the students working as a team to complete a shared goal.

“It was brilliant to see the individual and school pride in something that the students had produced themselves where they could say –‘I built that’.

“It also generated a lot of discussion and interest in the subject area around the school.

“Peers and students in lower grades are asking questions as to how projects are undertaken.”

Many of the students in the building and construction classes at ISHS are interested in entering trades associated with the construction industry.

“Projects for next year’s building and construction classes will include paving new landscaped areas between class blocks,” Mr Jesse said.