Kingsford Smith Mega School ready to go

As for them being under budget… perhaps they could of spent the money on AIR CONDITIONING !!!!

I dunno man – I managed for over 12 years with no aircon during the 80’s. I’m sure the little darlings of today can get by just fine with fans!

it would have to be a very extreme situation for kids to be sent home. the logistics involved would be insane. not to mention the fact that most parents dont even want to come and pick up their kids when they are sick, let alone if it was hot.

HC @ #21: @ 40 degrees the Principal can make the call (this usually requires that most of the classrooms reach a similar temperature).

It is more usual that when a classroom becomes unbearable (such as those directly facing the sun), an alternative location is found for the class to be taught.

My old school had over 1100 students back in the early 80’s. What’s wrong with a school of that size???

If its only 1100 students why do they have to build superschools.. cant the existing schools fit that too?

What is the temperature cut off for sending kids home from school? Might be a very interrupted first week back.

So, to summarise the comments above:
– The school is ugly.
– It is too big (bring back small, unviable neighbourhood primary schools with 100 students! Sensible use of tax dollars there).
– Things were still being organised during the week before school starts.
– For some reason, no trees have grown to maturity in the 3-6 months since construction finished.

Honestly – instead of death-riding a brand new school that hasn’t even opened yet, why not show some support? The school sounds like it will have excellent facilities and if all of this energy was spent on the P&C and in fund raising, this would be a truly great school. Here’s hoping.

Gungahln Al – they get litter duty, but not what you and I know as litter duty. The kids have the luxury of being able to wear gloves.

What punishment do bad kids get now in the era of smartboards? Can’t make them bang out the blackboard dusters anymore…

As for them being under budget… perhaps they could of spent the money on AIR CONDITIONING !!!!

For the old schools perhaps, but the new ones are being designed to not need it, except in certain spots like the auditorium.

I wonder what will happen when the Kambah ‘Super School’ is built – remember it is meant to be completed and up and running for 2011.

I too have a friend at KSS. She is more than happy with the new resources, quality tables etc.

I’d just be thankful for some new classroom desks.

missalli – I applaud your involvement! I work in a similarly sized (by comparison) Northside school, and we had just 6 parents on the P&C last year!!! I also attended the public consultation meetings (for Ginninderra/KS as well as most of the other Northside ‘consultations’)… It was clearly apparent that the ACT Gov had made up their minds and was simply “going through the motions” (One of their ads even stated “we are interested in knowing how you feel”!!!). I know it has been “thrust” upon the West Belco community, but lets make the best we can out of it to ensure it doesn’t become what skeptics are telling us it will… good on you for caring enough to have your say and it sounds like you are going to be an involved parent (something we teachers see to little of)… keep up the momentum… it is parents like you who will help shape the community built around the school (not the building, not the resources)!

Gerry,

I attended all consulting meetings regarding KSS and I plan to continue attending.
I completly understand that there will be teething problems, but I feel this is a carry on from the lack of community consultation.

I have the utmost respect for the deputy principal of the Junior School and I am confident that teething problems will be ironed out. I also agree that over time the school will have a wonderful sense of community.

Maybe I just should not have assumed that simple measures,like shade, would not have been overlooked.

grunge_hippy said :

a friend works there says it is a shamozzle.

…well of course it is, EVERYTHING there is new; teachers, support staff, timetables and resources(across three sub-schools), buildings and infrastructure etc… at least most schools only have minor problems to deal with this early (like the schools that have lost their servers over the break etc)

This is no “super-school” (thanks to the Canberra Times for coining that gem). 1100 kids over 11 years of schooling (plus PreSchool) – average less than 100 students per year group… that’s average to small for ACT (similar schools in NSW and QLD have far, far larger populations). The only thing that is ‘different’ about this school structure is the co-location of yrs PS-10…

Get over the “just a number” argument. The school will develop a culture of inclusion and community, just as every other school in Canberra (and the world) has done. Besides, there will be professionals running the place, who know their job and know how to work with kids. Sure there will be teething troubles, but things will settle down. …and the teachers there will have the best interests of the kids in mind, just like the other 3500 teachers across the public schooling system across our Territory. Just consider that the number one influence on the kids education is their classroom teachers.

missalli, I assume you are going to attend P&C meetings and ensure your thoughts and concerns are aired, oh, and have you booked a time to go and speak to the Acting Principal to air your concerns too? – sorry, not a dig or anything, it just seems too many parents complain about what happens, but aren’t willing to play their part in helping make the decisions… I’m sure as the term settles, you’ll start to feel more confident in the school and the community it develops… Though sounds like more shade would be useful!

andrew barr is talking out of his arse…. a friend works there says it is a shamozzle. the principal had a stroke during christmas holidays, which has thrown organisation into choas. Rest assured though that the replacement is an expert at “super schools” (was principal at gold creek) and all is getting back on track.

Granny said :

$500,000 on smartboards and our kids can’t get communication devices and wheelchairs.

I hear you, Granny.

I for one will refuse to send my kids to any “Super School”. Sounds a bit too much like “Super Max” as in prisons to me!

Well for some of us – we have no choice. The Government closed down all the local primary schools, the others wont except enrolments as they are full.

As for them being under budget… perhaps they could of spent the money on AIR CONDITIONING !!!!

$500,000 on smartboards and our kids can’t get communication devices and wheelchairs.

Is the school really open – or is it actually open in the same way that the prison is open?

Does this school meet or exceed all UN provisions on human rights? After all, we don’t want to see kids up on the roof at lunchtime protesting, do we!

Any new institution is going to be a little sketchy on the first few times they try things.

If the school is as unorganised as it was on weds and thurs morning’s for the ‘tours’ then we are all in trouble.

I’d just be done with it and say you’re all in trouble! A “super” school! What a wonderful idea. Get a bunch of kids, throw them into a massive school where they become numbers and hope they an education.

No this is not a go at you MissAlli! Parents of Canberra have been put in to this ridiculous situation by w**kers who’ve underestimated the importance of smaller, closer neighborhood schools.

I for one will refuse to send my kids to any “Super School”. Sounds a bit too much like “Super Max” as in prisons to me!

As a parent sending 3 children there on Monday morning, I am disgusted at the lack of planning.

There is maybe 3 trees offering shade to the students and one playground with a shade sail over it.
The back of the school(opposite WBLC) is still a pile of dirt.
Will be interesting on Monday to say the least.

If the school is as unorganised as it was on weds and thurs morning’s for the ‘tours’ then we are all in trouble.

You can say one thing for the drought, it sure helps get construction projects finished on time.