MLC School Sydney

Our New Junior School Opening 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.

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.

What the research shows about schools for the future:

children learn in many different ways – schools must tailor learning for the individual in flexibly configured spaces
young learners need a means to display and celebrate their
learning experiences with peers, regardless of age
growing up in a digital world means electronic tools are integral to learning; schools must provide opportunities
for instant communication, anywhere and at any time
the increasing need to develop higher order thinking skills
means dedicated spaces for experimentation to engage learners’creativity and imagination
the physical environment must be stimulating and adaptable to teacher and student needs, with natural light and ventilation.

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.

Out of School Hours Care

After school care is available for students in Years K-5. 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.

Making space for a connected community

Psychologists have long known the link between enjoyment and belonging at school, and achieving positive personal,
social and academic success.

A Flinders University Report has found adaptation to school is strongly affected by a student’s feelings of family support for school. Children report that they feel they belong in a school when their family happily joins in the learning partnership with school and engages with the community.

The Director of Pastoral Care at MLC School, Mrs Barbara Rumble, agrees. “This is why the design of the new Junior School has deliberately incorporated new a concept, community spaces,” said Mrs Rumble. “These help to engage families in their daughter’s school life, learning and social development.”

Mrs Rumble outlined that, entering the foyer, visitors will pass the Welcome Wall where the community will interact with, and admire, the girls’ learning. “The open-air piazza is also a very special place to catch-up with friends, meet the children and have a coffee”, she said.

New Junior School - Progress Report

There is huge excitement at MLC School Burwood with the building of their new Junior School to be ready for the start of the 2009 school year.

Two factors, are key to meeting our expectations for 21st century learners – tailoring learning to individual needs and the integration of computer technology – are difficult to achieve in traditional classrooms.” For this reason latest learning theory underpins the architecture of the new school, creating flexible, well proportioned, stimulating learning spaces with functional interaction between adjoining rooms.

The necessity of a site change to give greater learning and play space for the Junior School gave award winning Sydney architect, Ed Lippmann, a blank canvas to interpret Transforming Learning, MLC School’s philosophy for learning in the 21st century. The inspired design utilizes the relationships between space, materials, colour and light to create wonderful learning ‘places’ which encourage children to develop their senses as well as their intellect and creativity.

“Ed Lippmann understands what it is to create successful learning spaces and to provide a welcoming place for our community,” said Head of MLC Junior School, Mrs Diana Drummond, who has worked very closely with Mrs Stone and the architect throughout the project. MLC’s new Junior School provides a blueprint for schools of the future.