Hale Junior School redevelopment

THE redevelopment of Hale Junior School began in January 2017.

Based in WA, the school has worked in close consultation with SITE Architecture Studio to implement the pedagogy of ‘Prepare, Teach, Connect’, where student education is equally structured around three integrated modes of learning.

Students first prepare for learning through high intensity physical activity before being taught (Teach) an education program based around sciences, humanities, literature and mathematics.

Students are then provided the opportunity to work independently and collaboratively to apply skills learnt to project based work and assignments (Connect).

The redevelopment will deliver flexible and adaptable learning facilities for students and staff, specific to the way Hale School delivers the curriculum.

The arrangement of the new buildings uses the gentle undulation of the site to cluster student year groups into lower, middle and upper junior learning ‘pods’, enable collaborative learning within each group.

Each learning ‘pod’ has a variety of learning spaces of different sizes and scales with large spaces to accommodate the gathering of whole year groups, and small intimate spaces for one-on-one learning.

General learning areas and break out spaces all have direct access to private outdoor courtyards, maintaining a visual and physical connection to outside areas which encourages learning opportunities beyond the classroom.

A curved colonnade links the learning pods providing a sheltered walkway offering a variety of additional learning spaces and experiences as students move from building to building.

The curved colonnade strengthens the focus of the existing courtyard and established eucalypts as the ‘heart’ of the Junior School, while creating a meaningful cultural link to the Middle and Senior Campus.

A Resource Hub sits centrally within the school site, providing a campus focal point allowing all student groups, teachers and parents easy access to shared learning and meeting spaces.

An artist impression of Hale Junior School Upper Junior Building.