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FISHERMANS BEND SECONDARY SCHOOL www.schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au School Design Engagement Report
FISHERMANS BEND SECONDARY SCHOOL
www.schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au
School Design Engagement Report
FISHERMANS BEND SECONDARY SCHOOLSCHOOL DESIGN ENGAGEMENT REPORT
P 2
Since 2015, the Victorian Government has invested more than $5.6 billion to build new schools and modernise more than 1,400 existing ones. It has committed to continue that record funding and open 100 new schools by 2026.
To meet the needs of the growing local community, and prepare for future students, the Victorian Government is building a new secondary school in Fishermans Bend.
Fishermans Bend is Australia’s largest urban renewal project covering approximately 480 hectares, and will consist of five precincts across two municipalities – the City of Melbourne and the City of Port Phillip. The Fishermans Bend Task Force of the Department of Environment, Land, Water, and Planning has been working on this project since 2016, and the 2018-19 State Budget provided planning funding for a new secondary school on the site.
We want children growing up in Fishermans Bend to be part of a rich, vibrant and supportive community. Schools are more than buildings - they are the heart of their neighbourhoods. The new secondary school will be an opportunity to further shape and enhance the wider community.
We are considering a number of design options and, to help inform this process, we asked the local community what they want for the future of the school in terms of its design and facilities.
FISHERMANS BEND SECONDARY SCHOOLSCHOOL DESIGN ENGAGEMENT REPORT
P 3
About the engagement
We engaged with local students, teachers, parents, and other community members on the new school design from 23 July to 13 August 2018.
In particular, we wanted to understand what makes the Fishermans Bend community unique and the kinds of facilities that locals would like the school to offer the community outside school hours. We wanted to know what learning and teaching spaces they would like to have, and what their hopes are for the new school.
Engagement snapshot
170 people at community
drop-ins
31% were interested community members
A forum with 10 local school
principals
599 individual comments analysed
55,263 people reached through
social media
62 participants in the online
survey
41% of survey responses
were parents
P 4
What your community wants for the new Fishermans Bend Secondary School
Build a school that doubles as a community hub
A strong need for community facilities was identified, particular for indoor spaces such as meeting rooms, followed by specialist spaces for arts and particularly performance spaces. There is a clear desire for this vertical school to share access with the community, including outdoor and sports areas. Principals also highlighted the importance of partnerships in the community and with other schools to avoid duplication of resources.
Build modern, state-of-the-art learning spaces, including outdoor areas
The most important design consideration was having modern, flexible learning spaces, as well as plenty of outdoor and green space. Principals are most concerned about having flexibility in the learning spaces, as well as considering designing for the future, not just to meet current enrolment demand.
Reflect the suburb’s bayside location in the school design
This community defines itself as kind and welcoming, engaged and collaborative, diverse and inclusive. They feel the suburb’s location, in terms of proximity to CBD and the bay, should have an impact on the new school design.
Consider safe access as part of planning
This community highlighted transport challenges, and the need for good, safe access to the school. Comments mentioned parking and drop-off zones, as well as bicycle storage and access for public transport. In addition, the need to ensure safety and security through the design was expressed, especially in shared community areas.
Here are the top four things we heard that Fishermans Bend locals, teachers, and students want for the secondary school.
You can contact us:Victorian School Building Authority
1800 896 950
www.schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au
/victorianschoolbuild
For information in your language, please call the Victorian School Building Authority’s translation service on 03 9280 0712.
Next stepsWe are proud to unveil the designs for Fishermans Bend Secondary School (interim name) and to announce that funding has been allocated in the 2019-20 State Budget to build the school.
The architects have considered your ideas and feedback from the consultation in their design.
To stay up to date with the progress of Fishermans Bend Secondary School, please visit schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au
FISHERMANS BEND SECONDARY SCHOOLSCHOOL DESIGN ENGAGEMENT REPORT
P 6
We want the new school to reflect the local community. What makes your community special?
In detail: Your ideas
We heard that Fishermans Bend is a kind, welcoming community, which has a supportive base and creates a real sense of belonging. Your community told us that the school could help bring locals closer through building facilities that act as a community hub, with resources and services for physical activity, events, and learning. We heard that we can help foster the real sense of community spirit by providing facilities that can be shared with the community.
You told us that Fishermans Bend is a new and rapidly growing community with strong heritage roots. This community is intergenerational, multicultural, inclusive, and values its diversity. We heard that the new school presents an opportunity to create a place for people to come together and truly build up this new, developing community.
“A feeling of togetherness and sharing a common vision for excellence”Online survey
“Caring, engaged and supportive community” Online survey
“The fact that we have a strong sense of community. Those who live in the area, like to do as much in the area as possible.” Online survey
“Highly educated, active in the community”Principal forum
“Parents are involved in their child’s learning” Online survey
“Connection of heritage and development, old and new”Principal forum
“It is a complex and intergenerational community. Unique in its cross cultural/generational qualities.” Online survey
“Diversity and rapidly evolving. We’re so lucky to have our location and amenity. We have the opportunity to build the community we want with the shift from commercial to residential.”Online survey
Community workshops, principal forum, and online survey comments
A WELCOMING AND ENGAGED COMMUNITY
A NEW COMMUNITY EMERGING FROM A RICH HISTORY
FISHERMANS BEND SECONDARY SCHOOLSCHOOL DESIGN ENGAGEMENT REPORT
P 7
You told us that the school site and suburb’s location between the bay and CBD is key to understanding what is special about this community. The history of this area, including its proximity to the water, could be reflected in the new school design by incorporating many green, open spaces.
“Inner city life but vibrant and creative. Melbourne is a cultural hub.” Online survey
“Port Melbourne is special because of its relaxed beach lifestyle, whilst being in close proximity to the busy city.” Online survey
“Think about surrounding land uses and how the school can interact with them.” Online survey
“Connection of CBD and suburban environment” Principal forum
A UNIQUE LOCATION
We ran a voting activity with optional comments, so that people could vote for one of our listed options, or suggest something different. All 23 additional suggestions have been incorporated in the above analysis, and votes are tallied below.
FISHERMANS BEND SECONDARY SCHOOLSCHOOL DESIGN ENGAGEMENT REPORT
P 8
How can this be reflected in the new school design?
We heard that your community values outdoor, green spaces and wants the school to echo the surrounding area. One of the best ways we can serve your community is by providing open recreation areas and a connection to nature with the new school design, including incorporating sustainable elements.
“Connection to nature, open spaces, given the majority of students will come from high density apartment living with minimal yards and space.” Online survey
“A design that has a relaxed nature reflecting elements of the beach. E.g. water fountains, activity areas, quiet spaces, LOTS of plants!” Online survey
“Outdoor space, fresh air”Community workshop
Community workshops, principal forum, and online survey comments
LOTS OF GREEN, OPEN SPACE
The Fishermans Bend community told us that they want to see state-of-the art, modern educational facilities. You want an innovative, sustainable design that has flexibility for the future. We heard that these facilities and resources should also be accessible to the rest of the community in a safe, secure way.
“3+ storey buildings, different solution to making schools work” Principal forum
“Spaces that are more diverse, agile and purposeful, and allow for a wider range of learning and teaching styles” Online survey
“Ensuring space and facilities are made available for the co-location of community services (including health & wellbeing services).” Online survey
MODERN, FLEXIBLE BUILDINGS THAT CAN BE SHARED WITH THE COMMUNITY
FISHERMANS BEND SECONDARY SCHOOLSCHOOL DESIGN ENGAGEMENT REPORT
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Your community has a strong desire for outdoor, green spaces at the new school to be made available to the public. Common suggestions included utilising the rooftop space, creating a community garden, and ensuring there are some rain covers in the outdoor areas for poor weather.
“Rooftop garden” Community workshop
“Space to run” Community workshop
OUTDOOR/GREEN SPACES
We ran a voting activity with optional comments, so that people could vote for one of our listed options, or suggest something different. 130 additional suggestions have been incorporated in the above analysis, and votes are tallied below.
FISHERMANS BEND SECONDARY SCHOOLSCHOOL DESIGN ENGAGEMENT REPORT
P 10
What are the key design considerations for teaching and learning spaces that enable teachers to be most effective and students to learn better?
We heard that the most important consideration is to design modern, flexible learning spaces with room for future growth. This means agile spaces that can be quickly and easily adapted to provide big or small spaces for various learning purposes. Principals reminded us to consider integrated IT, sustainability, acoustics, and movement in the building.
“Build with option to expand UP with additional levels”
“Flexible learning spaces to maximise differentiation”
“Integration of technology/equipment and modern learning”
Principal forum comments
MODERN, FLEXIBLE INDOOR SPACES WITH ROOM FOR FUTURE GROWTH
We heard that this new school should be welcoming and open to the community not only through providing facilities, but also by fostering local partnerships. Principals asked us to consider parents and families when designing this new school.
Principals asked us to think about safety and security, especially in terms of community access to shared spaces. Principals also want to ensure children can play and move around the school safely.
We heard that principals want us to make plans for appropriate transport routes to and from the school for both students and staff.
“Parent spaces - social – practical”
“What things does the area have that we don’t need to replicate?”
“Front of school + openness to families”
“Logistical considerations of interactions with public spaces - safety”
“People can’t just walk in ‘off the street’ “
“Zone some parts of school to not be available to community”
“Locking, alarming, entrance/exit, paths of escape”
“Travel paths to + from school (consideration of main roads)”
“Parking – what’s possible”
WELCOMING, OPEN TO COMMUNITY AND POTENTIAL PARTNERSHIPS
KEEPING STUDENTS SAFE AT SCHOOL
WELL-PLANNED TRANSPORT AND LOCAL ACCESS
FISHERMANS BEND SECONDARY SCHOOLSCHOOL DESIGN ENGAGEMENT REPORT
P 11
Thinking about the design of the new school, what are your hopes?
By far, the most important hope you expressed was for a school that caters for modern, flexible learning. The new school design should be sustainable, inspiring, and built for future growth. You asked us to consider natural light, acoustics, and provide spaces that encourage creativity and collaboration. We heard that you want state of the art facilities and technology for a fully integrated and flexible school that will cater not only for students, but also for your whole community.
“High quality forward thinking and looking design - It’s an important catalyst building for the transformation of Fishermans Bend…”
“Spaces to encourage creativity and learning. A building to be proud of.”
“Space for the school to evolve to meet the students & community needs”
“Form and functionality – architecture that promotes sustainability”
“To create a space that will inspire and cultivate curiosity in the children who attend.”
Online survey
MODERN, FLEXIBLE LEARNING SPACES
We heard that you want many green, open spaces at the new school, particularly given the inner-city location. This should include spaces for open recreation and play, as well as formal sports spaces.
You told us that it is important for the school to be welcoming and open to the local community. The new school should take into consideration the local context and promote acceptance and inclusion.
“A reasonable amount of open space outside”
“Lots of open green space for sport and sporting ovals for school and community use”
“A warm, welcoming environment for students to feel comfortable, and to enable them to reach their full potential.”
“Schools should be able to give back to their community, especially in Fishermans Bend where space and density are premium. The space should also be available for use by the community”
LOTS OF GREEN, OPEN SPACES, INCLUDING FOR SPORT
WELCOMING AND OPEN TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
FISHERMANS BEND SECONDARY SCHOOLSCHOOL DESIGN ENGAGEMENT REPORT
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The Fishermans Bend community expressed their hopes for specialist spaces at the school, particularly for STEM, performing and visual arts, hospitality, and VCAL/trade spaces.
You told us that we should consider transport and accessibility when planning this new school. This includes not only a drop-off/pick-up zone and parking, but also access by public transport and planning for bicycle storage for students and staff.
“Diverse educational opportunities including music and arts, inclusive of students living in the Docklands”
“Student art displayed outside, arts centre that is multipurpose”
“Careful focus on transport and access to minimise local disruption”
“Bike path to encourage exercise to school”
“Public transport options from the city, North & West Melbourne”
AVAILABILITY OF SPECIALIST SPACES
CONSIDER TRANSPORT AND LOCAL ACCESS
How can we celebrate diversity in the new school?
Online survey
This question also allowed participants to write in their own responses under an “other” option:
FISHERMANS BEND SECONDARY SCHOOLSCHOOL DESIGN ENGAGEMENT REPORT
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You told us that we can also celebrate diversity in the new school through the curriculum. Suggestions included a focus on academic achievement and provide a range of learning opportunities to promote inclusion and acceptance, such as foreign languages and programs.
We heard that safe, welcoming spaces are vital. Your community wants inclusive and accessible spaces in the new school, also allowing for quiet spaces.
We heard that Fishermans Bend highly values its outdoor, green spaces and considers them crucial for children’s healthy development.
Comments in this section reinforced the key themes reflected in the questions above – sustainable, modern buildings with plenty of green space, and a school that is well planned, safe and easily accessible by all modes of transport.
“Teaching languages e.g. French! And providing trips/exchange/interaction with other countries”
“Celebrate intelligence and academic achievement”
“By ensuring the safety of all students is appropriately considered”
“Inclusive learning spaces taking into account of children with hearing impairment and vision impairment”
“Active recreation spaces”
“Energy saving and renewable products to be used. Use of Australian products.”
“Ensure easy access to and from the school by bike, walk or public transport – particularly from the Yarra’s Edge area.”
“Landscaping […including] indigenous flora.”
“Make sure kids are safe if having to use common grounds.”
CURRICULUM
SAFE, WELCOMING SPACES
OUTDOOR, GREEN SPACES
Is there anything else you would like us to consider in designing and building the new school?
