Faith Lutheran College Year 7 Learning Centre

Sited within the rural landscape with views casting across grassy fields to pockets of natural bushland, the Year 7 Learning Centre (D block) adds the final building to the newly established middle school. Its location was driven by the campus master plan, as it sits geographically as the first building of the middle school, distinct from the future primary planned for the east of the site. The placement facilitates the transition from primary to high school life.

The building continues the site-wide design language and engages with the natural setting. The design draws upon the rural vernacular, with deep overhangs and corrugated metal cladding accented with bright colours, which inject a playful vibrancy to the existing context. This new building compliments the established site-wide design language, yet creates a distinct destination and environment specific to younger students ‘ needs. This contextual integration together with a specific planning response to address teaching requirements has led to a design which achieves a high degree of user satisfaction in both respects.

The brief called for rooms to allow for a variety of teaching and learning methods from team teaching, to large group instruction and small withdrawal groups. The ability for learning to occur outside was also given a strong emphasis, in order to ensure that the new students at the school continue to feel increasingly comfortable being immersed in the overall campus. The building and environs are for the exclusive use of Year 7 students.

As a school of the Lutheran Church, the College is committed to providing worship opportunities for all students and staff. D block serves as the worship centre for both our schools (years 7-9 and 10-12), with the ability to seat all members comfortably and in an inclusive manner.

The versatility of the space has allowed these various uses to be possible. Each of the 3 pods meets the needs of the specific pod by providing the most relevant specialist space such as IT areas for English/ Humanities/ Christian Studies and a wet room for Maths / Science I Physical Education.