Kempsey Adventist School students are poised for their education to be jettisoned into the future once a purpose-built facility focused on cutting-edge learning is constructed.
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Earlier this week Kempsey Adventist School (KAS) was awarded $719,000 capital grant under the NSW Government’s Building Grants Assistance Scheme.
KAS Principal Rohan Deanshaw said the new facility would allow students to achieve career pathways that may not have been possible in the past.
“The grant would fund construction of a kindergarten to year 12 facility designed by an Australian architect who will work with the school on the development of the masterplan,” Mr Deanshaw said.
“The facility will bring together the best elements of traditional education with a strong view on making sure that our students in the Macleay have access to the latest technology and project-based learning methodology so they are prepared for future employment.”
In April 2015, a delegation of KAS staff traveled to the United States to undertake Harvard University’s post-graduate course learning environments for the 21st century.
Principle Rohan Deanshaw said the course was unquestionably the best professional learning any of the staff had been involved in.
To ensure continuity of their learning, Mr Deanshaw invited a Harvard faculty member out in July this year, for a week of professional development for all the staff.
“The focus for the week will be learning for the future and best practice project-based and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning models,” Mr Deanshaw said.
“What we know from peak economic bodies and educational authorities around the world is that about 60 per cent of students in primary school today will work in careers we can’t currently imagine.”
“We’re beginning a process with our students of educating them in coding - writing code for computers and programming robots - so they get an understanding of the function of various information technology platforms.
“This will enable them to begin to integrate the use of robotics and drones and the like into their current learning while equipping them with skills for future employment.”
Two KAS teachers are currently Google certified educators, and Mr Deanshaw said he plans for all of the school’s teachers to have Google certification within the next six to 12 months.
