School on the right track

STUDENTS wearing GPS trackers have helped form the designs for a multimillion-dollar performing arts development at one of Hobart’s largest high schools.

The fate of the $5 million project at Taroona High School will be decided by the Public Works Parliamentary Standing Committee, which started its inquiry yesterday.

Principal Matt Bennell told the committee they tracked some of their students across the Meath Ave school last year to determine how they used certain spaces.

He said parental permission was sought before the students were chosen.

The data the tracking exercise aimed to measure was how far and how often students moved around the campus and where they spent their time, with an aim to better meet student needs in the design of the new building.

Architect Tim Penny said it was easy to obtain assumptions by talking to students, but tracking them meant they could use very tangible evidence in their plans.

He said the proposed new music facilities had the capacity to be redeveloped or adapted, such as providing more classrooms, should the school’s needs change. The State Government allocated $5 million in last year’s Budget to provide contemporary learning areas, support spaces and music and drama facilities at Taroona High School.

The school’s enrolment sits at about 1000 students, but that is expected to swell beyond 1100 by 2020.

The Education Department’s deputy secretary Rob Williams told the committee the development was something the school had wanted for long time.

“Taroona is the school with the biggest and most successful music program in the state,” he said.

“It has the full support of the school community.”

Committee chairman Adam Brooks said the process allowed MPs direct contact with the public to canvas a wide range of views through public hearings and spections.

“The committee will then evaluate the evidence presented to it and come to a decision as to whether or not the works should proceed,” he said.

Approval is subject to a report being tabled in Parliament or to the Governor, and if granted the school will tender for a contractor.

The plans are on display in the school foyer. site in-