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Over the course
of the June-August holidays, significant changes have occurred on both
school campuses. As usual there has been a programme of re-painting and
white washing inside buildings at both Lushington and Selborne. Some staff
flats have been altered to accommodate new families and there has been
plenty of essential maintenance and cleaning work.
The major
projects have been as follows:
- Art School:
a new ‘slab’ has been layed and preparation carried out for new roofing
and improvements to the girls’ day room.
- Technology:
a ‘portacabin’ temporary classroom has been located behind the Assembly
Hall whilst the Technology building has been altered to give more space
for project work and workshops (see photo).
- Retaining
walls: much work has gone into extending the
revetment wall alongside the senior teaching block as a means to protect
against slippage (see photo).
- Ebenezer
path: A new, concrete, path through the
trees below the Assembly Hall has been completed. This involved revetment
walls, landscaping and a significant upgrade to the sewerage pipe line
which passes that way (see photo).
- Tree
pruning: high winds and heavy rains
necessitated getting permission to remove a few trees and to carry out
essential pruning on the eucalyptus trees in particular.
-
Multi-purpose science laboratory: this has
been created in what was the History Room (now moved to the Inters area)
on the top floor of the senior classroom block. It is alongside the
existing Biology laboratory (and has a hatch connection to it). The new
lab is equipped with all the usual science amenities but, additionally,
has several computers and AV facilities. Many gifts went into the setting
up of this laboratory but, in particular, one from the estate of Matthew
Jackson, the father of Moira Fox (a former staff member). The lab was
dedicated in Mr. Jackson’s memory (see photo).
- Computer
classrooms: the two teaching computer
laboratories, at the top of the Treetops building, have had a complete
facelift.
- Junior
School: an office has been created for the
Junior School Co-ordinator and the Junior library shelving improved to
enhance light from the windows.
- Lushington
Hall: the whole of the frontage (dating back
to the 1820’s) has been renovated. The guttering and the roofing of the
verandah has been renewed. All the creepers have been removed, the foliage
cut back and some new plants laid, the pillars rebuilt, new iron work
constructed and a thorough re-painting carried out. The whole look of the
building is fresher and most impressive (see photos).
- Common Room
for Cypress Court dormitory: this has also
involved the removal of the dhobi facility to Ebenezer
- Generator:
provision is being made to extend this connection to Glenrock Dorm.
In accordance
with the school’s Five Year Plan, we are looking to undertake the
following projects in the course of 2004-5 (as funds, weather and planning
permissions permit):
- Further
kitchen refurbishment
- Partial
re-roofing of the Sports’ Hall
- New staff
flats at Selborne
- Dorm
refurbishment (part of an annual rolling programme)
- Selborne
tennis court upgrade
- Water
harvesting project on Hillside (A level boys) roof
- Covered
walkway to the classrooms from Lushington Hall
- Further
revetment walls (including beginning the Big Pitch retaining
wall/spectator area)
We are still
hoping to purchase neighbouring land in the Glenrock valley if
sufficient funds are donated. In particular we would like to buy the 34
cents of land alongside the Ebenezer Dorm as further play space but also, if
land designation changes in the future, as the site of a possible new Dorm.
This could facilitate the re-siting of the Cypress Court Dorms and allow
that building to be redeveloped for music, technology and associated
classrooms. The other piece of land lies on the up-valley side of the
Sports’ Hall. The 56 cents here would be used for a grass playing field.
Both pieces of land currently cost around 30 lakhs each. If you are able to
make any donation to the ‘new land’ fund then please contact the Principal
at school. All gifts gratefully received! Photos of these pieces of land can
be seen elsewhere on this website.
Alastair Reid (principal) |