Nurturing high achievements with new Science Centre

Launceston Christian School is a fast-growing K-12 school community. Situated in the picturesque Tamar Valley in Northern Tasmania, the school strives to focus on each student's physical, emotional, intellectual, social, aesthetic, and spiritual growth within the classroom and beyond.

Established in 1976, the school is celebrating the news of being one of 537 schools to receive funding for Science and Language Centres for the 21st Century Secondary Schools (SLC) component of the Building the Education Revolution (BER).

Under SLC, Launceston Christian School received just over $1.3 million to build a new Science Centre. The new Centre will allow the school to provide specialist laboratories in Biology, Physics, Chemistry and general science classes.

Principal Erik Hofsink said “the school has outgrown its current science facilities. It was originally designed to meet the requirements of Years 7 to 10 and since the introduction of senior secondary science classes, it has not been possible to accommodate the whole school. The preparation rooms have limited space and storage facilities and the classes are inadequate for the type of lessons being delivered.’’

In the past, surrounding schools have utilised their science facilities for teaching and learning purposes. The new science centre facilities will enable the school to continue to develop strong links with other schools in the West Tamar region, and will also be available for the broader community for the use of data collection, research and training purposes.

The new facilities will allow students to continue to strive for high achievements in science. The school community is excited that the new facility will match its enthusiasm and achievements in Science, with the school being a finalist in the National Science and Engineering Challenge twice. The new facility will also encourage students to pursue Science as a subject of choice.

Launceston Christian School has also been successful for funding under the National School Pride (NSP) program and Primary Schools for the 21st Century (P21) element of the BER, which the Principal has said is an amazing opportunity for the school community.

The other BER capital works and infrastructure funded projects will enable the school to refurbish their existing hall to double the size of its art and music facilities, and build a new multi-purpose hall. Work on each of these projects is commencing soon.

For further information on successful BER projects in schools visit: www.buildingeducationrevolution.gov.au. 

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