Hale Junior School Redevelopment

Building for our Boys

Hale School is investing $16 million in our Junior School with work underway to rebuild classrooms to reflect our modern teaching philosophies.

The student is always central to everything we do at Hale and so it is the case with this latest redevelopment. We want our boys to have options to work individually at times, to collaborate at other times, to spread out and work on hands-on activities, to venture outside and to tune into the latest technology. We will be better equipped to do all this and more with the purpose-built classrooms now under construction.

BACKGROUNDThe existing Hale Junior School opened in the 1960s. It was designed in corridors, as was the style of the day, overlooking a central playground area and surrounded by natural bushland. In years gone by, boys were able to play in the adjoining bushland and many Old Haleians who attended the Junior School have fond memories of doing just that.

In the 1970s and 1980s, a Library Resource Centre, Art Room and extra classrooms were added, in keeping with the first buildings.

It wasn’t until 2010 that more modern facilities were added, with a gymnasium built in the Junior School, thanks to Building the Education Revolution government funding. A couple of years later, we worked with SITE Architecture to design a new, purpose-built Art Room. This was the start of a new master plan for the Junior School, which drew on our beliefs on teaching and learning, now and in the future.

Our Junior School will remain small, catering for approximately 400 students, which reflects our focus on knowing, valuing and individualising learning for each boy in this very important stage of their development. With a more flexible learning environment, we will be better equipped to personalise teaching programmes.

STRATEGIC PLANNINGOver the past few years, Junior School staff have been developing an educational philosophy they call ‘Prepare, Teach, Connect’. Based on extensive research as well as their own experience and beliefs on where education is heading, this approach suggests that boys learn best when they are:

• physiologically and psychologically prepared

• taught content and skills explicitly

• able to connect knowledge, learning and experiences through cross-curricular learning, inquiry and entrepreneurial opportunities

This philosophy was front and centre when designing the new Junior School.

Alongside the need to upgrade ageing classrooms, we are aware of the strong demand for places and a need to cater for more boys. We continue to field inquiries from parents wishing to send their sons to Hale Junior School but have only been able to offer classes from Year 1 and to accommodate a ‘single stream’ until Year 3. Under the new plan, we will offer entry in Pre-Primary and to add a second stream up to Year 3 and three classes in Years 4, 5 and 6. This will increase our capacity from about 300 to 400 students.

While we will be accepting more students, these numbers are still moderate and our

focus will be on maintaining the ‘village’ feel of our school and on knowing each and every boy.

BUILDING FOR THE FUTUREThe new Junior School will be built in a radial design with classrooms fanning out around a central playground and canteen.

Key design elements include:• separate buildings for Pre-Primary

to Year 2 (Lower Junior), Years 3 to 4 (Middle Junior) and Years 5 to 6 (Upper Junior)

• classrooms with flexible walls and furniture allowing for easy transformation and connection to other learning spaces

• a large ‘connect’ space in each area, which can accommodate a whole year group for launching lessons and presentations, as well as providing ample space for collaborative work

• the Learning Hub more centrally located

Careful consideration has also been given to maintaining the connection with the natural environment. Most trees have been retained and a large nature play space has been established in the adjacent bushland, as in years gone by. Now a new generation of students is discovering new challenges and adventures in our natural play space. Stage 1 of the redevelopment is now complete and involved demolition of the old Junior Primary and opening of the new administration, Upper Junior building, Learning Hub and canteen. The Year 5 and 6 classes have moved in and feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

Gymnasium

Administration

Lower Junior

Middle Junior

Upper Junior

Learning Hub

FUNDING THE REDEVELOPMENTHale School’s Board of Governors develops a list of priorities for resource and infrastructure upgrades as outlined in its Strategic Plan. The School maintains a capital funding programme to cover the cost of such upgrades. This is funded in two ways: by the compulsory student endowment fee, which is paid upon acceptance of a place at Hale, as well as through voluntary donations and bequests.

HALE SCHOOLHALE ROAD WEMBLEY DOWNS WESTERN AUSTRALIA 6019Telephone: (08) 9347 9701 | Facsimile: (08) 9347 9799Email: registrar@hale.wa.edu.au | Website: www.hale.wa.edu.au

THE NEXT CHAPTERWe look forward to the opportunity to show you around our campus and to discuss the redevelopment and what it means for you.

Please contact: the Registrar, Joanne Haynes, on (08) 9347 9701 for more information or to arrange a tour.

Stage 2 commenced this year with the demolition of the remaining old buildings, and the new Lower Junior and Middle Junior classrooms underway. Completion is scheduled for August 2018 and remaining classes should be able to move into these spaces in Term 3.

Providing opportunities for every boy to excel