Our New Junior School ~ Open in 2009
Pre-Kinder - Year 5

At MLC School our philosophy of ‘Transforming Learning ’ is embodied in the quality and flexibility of our teaching and learning pedagogy and practice.

We also acknowledge the architecture of a school, including its flexibility of design, its interiors, its connection and approach to exteriors and landscape, all play a very significant role in achieving ‘learning environments’ which encourage and enhance the relationships between children, teachers, parents and their surroundings.

The relocation of the MLC School Junior provided a blank canvas for the award winning architects, Lippman Associates, to interpret MLC School’s ‘Transforming Learning ’ philosophy in their creation of a remarkable new school for the future.

The inspired design utilizes the relationships between space, colour and light to create wonderful “places” that encourage children to develop their full range of senses and experiences, to nurture their intellectual and creative development, and to capture the young, playful and imaginative world of the inquisitive and powerful early learner.

The MLC Junior School offers opportunities for recreation by large groups in a noisy stimulating environment; opportunities for individual learning in a quiet contemplative environments; opportunities for instant communication both locally and globally; opportunities for building relationships between learners, mentors, practitioners, researchers.

With the opening of our new Junior School, staff, students and parents are enjoying new beginnings and possibilities in our open plan and aesthetically beautiful environment. Designed
to meet the needs of 21st century learners, the building enables us to connect students and teachers in new ways, to collaborate more
often, to plan more effectively.

Our new school "ecosystem" is stimulating and welcoming.
We welcome you to find out more about MLC’s opportunities for
your daughter’s future, in her school of the future.

New Junior School Facilities include

• Flexible Learning Spaces
  Different ways of learning need different spaces. Each level of the building offers alterntie areas for students to learn both individually and with others.
• Learning Studios
  The main learning spaces for each Year group are called ‘learning studios’. They replace ‘classrooms’, emphasising space, light and access to technology with flexible furniture and fittings. Research confirms that students learn best when they are actively engaged, when the learning environment stimulates both mind and body. Learning Studios are designed specifically for student centred learning.
• Small Group Areas
  - These multiple spaces give even more options for teaching and learning
  - team-work that encourages the exuberant exchange of ideas
  - quiet thinking space
  - special needs areas for when learning is not always easy or when an accelerated learning program is recommended.
• Wet Areas
  Whether it’s science experiments or designing ceramics, when its time for ‘sleeves up’, creativity can be messy. Wet areas are durable dedicated spaces that encourage experimentation without physical constraints.
• Literature and Resource Hub
  A library of the future is a hub where multimedia information communication technology along with, books, magazines, images, film and music sound tracks, provide a wealth of immediately accessible resources.
• A place for Community Gathering
  The top floor of the new building provides three large light-filled open spaces, one indoor and two outdoor terraces, providing a perfect place for large groups to meet in flexible configurations. Various combinations of groups will be able to assemble here including all of the Junior School. Year groups may come together and then divide into smaller groups; learning celebrations can be shared and displayed; instrumental and choral music, drama, dance, and other physical activities can be accommodated including performances and presentations; spiritual celebrations can be shared here. The MLC community of parents and teachers can also use this space for information sessions, forums, social events, gatherings and meetings.
• Outdoor Learning and Play Spaces
  The outdoor learning areas and play spaces are designed to include aesthetic gardens and trees, soft as well as durable surfaces, grass and multi-level timber terraces, in configurations that allow open space for active play and ledges and benches for the times when children sit and relax with friends. Physical Education lessons take place here.
• The Piazza
  The piazza will provide a place for parents to stroll and mingle, catching up with other families should they have some time. This open air but protected space then flows directly on to the play areas and terraces. The food and drinks distribution from the senior campus canteen will also be available in this area.
• Kiss and Drop - Kiss and Ride
  Parents drop off and pick up their daughters in the MLC car park entering from Britannia Avenue. With help from friendly staff, happy farewells and greetings happen undercover, at the car, and journeys are unbroken.
• Welcome Wall
  Entering the foyer, visitors pass the Welcome Wall, an interactive multimedia and visual arts display. It is a place to celebrate the latest in innovative learning projects.

A Safe and Secure Environment

There are designated entry points for arrival and departure. Access during other times of the day will be through security entry. Playground spaces are screened by acoustic walls, adding privacy and tranquillity, while internal visibility across the gardens is unobscured.

Environmentally Friendly

Gardens encourage wildlife and the plantings have been specially chosen to encourage bird and insect life. Tinkling water features have also been incorporated using grey water runoff. While the building is air-conditioned cross ventilation and a north facing aspect allow for natural climate as the preferred option.

Before and Atfer School Hours Care

From 2009 both before and after school care wil be available for Kindergarten to Year 5 and for Pre-Kinder girls once they have turned 4 years of age.

The highest standard of care, coordinated by Camp Australia is provided in the grounds of the Junior School.  A weekly program incorporating craft, cooking, dance, drama and outdoor activities together with a scheduled 'quiet time' for homework or reading and afternoon tea are all components of this quality program.  Permanent bookings as well as occasional and emergency care are available.

All students in Year 5 are welcome to use the Junior School Library until 4.00pm each afternoon.

Introducing Mrs Diana Drummond - Head of Junior School

Ms Drummond has been teaching for over 12 years.  She has a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Sydney and is currently completing her Masters degree in Educational Leadership at Macquarie University.  She has also completed the Certificate of Gifted Education at the University of New South Wales and has been the Gifted and Curriculum Co-ordinator at St Catherine’s School, Waverley.  Diana is a co-author of Gifted Students in Primary Schools: Differentiating the Curriculum, published by GERRIC - the Gifted Education Resource Research and Information Centre at the University of NSW.  She has been a guest speaker at a number of education meetings and conferences, a teacher at GERRIC’s Junior Scientia gifted student programs at UNSW, as well as a regular lecturer in teacher inservice programs.   A passionate educator, Ms Drummond has a proven record of creating effective learning opportunities for children of all abilities and learning styles.  In the last two years she has stretched her professional experience beyond schools as part of a respected and very successful educational consulting team, broadening her understanding of the educational process.   As Diana put it, “My career has afforded me great challenge, great passion and a love for my chosen profession.