To celebrate 40 years delivering an outstanding educational experience for Sunshine Coast students, this week, Immanuel Lutheran College will open more than $9 million in new and refurbished facilities across its sprawling, 23-hectare campus. These include:
- A new $2 million Environmental Centre, a first for any Sunshine Coast school;
- A new $200,000 Learn to Swim pool co-located with the College’s heated, 25-metre undercover pool;
- A $3.6 million building, named Acacia, with six purpose-built contemporary learning areas for Years 1 and 2 students, in the College’s Primary School;
- Refurbished Primary School Administration, Student Services and Learning Enhancement facilities at a cost of $2.6 million; and
- A newly remodelled Year 4 building with three innovative and flexible learning areas at a cost of $700,000.
“Throughout the building process, our focus has always been on optimising results for students and staff. Teaching and learning drives everything that we do at Immanuel,” said Principal Colin Minke.
“But we’re also committed, both in our Mission and Strategic Plan, to be a leader in sustainable environmental management. Immanuel’s building program has been guided by reducing the College’s environmental footprint.
“With the Environmental Centre, the design and construction of the building are critical to its success and use the latest in sustainable materials and technology. Features include energy efficient lighting with smart controls; photovoltaic panels feed from elsewhere onsite to power lighting and ceiling fans; louvres provide natural cross ventilation; larger eaves improve daylight throughout the year without excess, unwanted heat; and rainwater catchment tanks have been incorporated as well as recyclable, waterproof materials for doors and joinery.
“The Acacia building has 99kw of solar panels mounted on the roof providing power back into the Primary School grid to offset our carbon footprint,” he said.
“Every classroom is air-conditioned for comfort. However, whenever possible, teachers will open their doors onto wide, open verandahs to allow students the opportunity to work in flexible spaces bringing the outdoor in and the indoor out inspiring creativity and ensuring learning is authentic, rich and deep. Classrooms can be anywhere at any time. In the Environmental Centre, we have built what we call a ‘living’ classroom on the edge of the rainforest and we hope to work with external agencies as well as invite students from other schools to enjoy the facilities and amazing flora and fauna that we are so fortunate to have here at Immanuel,” said Mr Minke.
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