Library activities now an integral part of class time

Our Lady’s School in Sunshine Victoria is celebrating the completion of their new state-of-the art school library. The $2.5 million dollar project was funded under the Primary Schools for the 21st Century element of the Building the Education Revolution (BER) program.

The new library will help provide students with the facilities they need to learn and grow. It features purpose-built Information Communication Technology for 21st Century learning.

The library also provides a range of spaces for individual, small group and whole class learning. About five times the size of the library it replaces, the architect-designed, two storey building features an auditorium with tiered seating for 120 students.

Principal Peter Moore believes his school has achieved what the Government intended when it announced the Building the Education Revolution: an "iconic" school building that will inspire students and staff.

‘Using the library is no longer a once-a-week activity but now an integral part of class time,’ Mr Moore said.

‘Without the Building the Education Revolution money, the school would never have been able to build such a library. It made our dreams into a reality.’

The Principal said the 90-year-old Catholic primary school prides itself on its commitment to celebrating diversity.

‘Our families come from diverse cultural backgrounds. Most of our families speak English as a second language and we have a rich history of meeting the needs of newly-arrived families to Australia,” Mr Moore said.

The library is therefore an ideal addition to school infrastructure, complementing the school’s literacy program.

The school also received $150 000 through the National School Pride element of the BER to carry out a green upgrade, and make improvements to the multipurpose hall, staff amenities and classrooms.

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