Exploring Sustainable Transformations at Sunshine Coast
07 Sep 2023
This is a recap of the most recent event hosted by the Queensland Chapter, Sustainable Transformations on the Sunshine Coast, which served as a regional summit. The event featured a bespoke tour that focused on three distinctly different campus sites located on the thriving Sunshine Coast. On Friday 25th August 2023, our esteemed guests embarked on a captivating visit to Immanuel Lutheran College. Nestled amidst the lush rainforests of Buderim, this campus provided the backdrop for a day filled with inspiration, insights, and a commitment to providing students with a more collaborative learning environment.
Embracing Nature and Learning: The Immanuel Lutheran College Story
The highlight of our visit was the enlightening presentation by Colin Minke (Principal) and his team, who shared their remarkable 10-year journey in collaboration with Bickerton Masters. Together, they have transformed Immanuel Lutheran College into a thriving community that seamlessly integrates with its natural surroundings, with the College's Chapel serving as the focal point for this educational community. Immanuel's mission, both in terms of environmental sustainability and education, is a testament to their dedication and vision.
It was wonderful to hear from Colin Minke and his team as they discussed the key decisions made in consultation with architect Bickerton Masters to transform the learning environment at the college. During the tour, we also learned about the core of Immanuel's learning framework, which emphasises the paramount importance of placing students' needs at its core. Matthew Moran from Bickerton Masters referenced the powerful connection and consultation with Colin and the team at Immanuel Lutheran College.
Their dedication to student-centered education was inspiring, and we appreciate their generosity in sharing their insights, as well as the reflections from their students who guided us during the campus tours.
Enhancing Well-being through Innovative Play Spaces
Greg Thomas from Greenedge Design Consultant showcased how innovative play space design can significantly enhance the well-being and learning outcomes of students. He shed light on the profound impact that well-designed play areas can have on a child's development, especially when students are able to control the flow of their own water stream as part of a play-based concept. We appreciate Greg's valuable contributions to our tour.
From Vision to Reality: Palmview State Special School and Palmview State Primary School
Our second leg of the journey led us to Palmview State Special School and Palmview State Primary School, where we witnessed how schools can rapidly develop even in challenging circumstances. The connection between these two schools provided a valuable lesson in collocation and collaboration, demonstrating the power of teamwork and shared resources in the educational sphere. It was wonderful to get a behind-the-scenes look at this brand-new Department of Education network of schools serving a rapidly growing community.
The lead architect, Hieu Nguyen from 8i Architects, articulated key learnings from the design phase through to the construction of this network of schools, accommodating the developmental needs of primary school students and providing specialist facilities for a range of neurodiverse learners and those with complex disabilities living in this community. We extend our gratitude to all the guests who attended this regional event, as it was a wonderful opportunity to explore innovations in learning spaces aimed at maximising the learning potential of students.
Written by: Timothy Barraud, Chair QLD Chapter
Photography: Timothy Barraud, Matthew Moran
