Page 250 - Week 01 - Thursday, 13 February 2020
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I am also happy to inform members that last week I announced that the government is also constructing a high school on this site, which will be ready to accept students for the 2023 year. For an allocation of $23 million in the 2019 budget review, the government will construct the high school as part of one project with the primary school construction. This school will accommodate 600 year 7 to 10 students.
The new school will offer both indoor and outdoor learning areas. It will include learning support units for special needs students and will provide integrated learning environments, specialist STEM and arts learning spaces, a cafeteria, a library, secure parking, bike parking and storage. The Molonglo community will soon have the opportunity to choose a name, uniform and logo for Canberra’s 89th school.
MS CODY: Minister, how has environmental sustainability influenced the design of the school?
MS BERRY: The new Molonglo school will be Canberra’s second zero emissions school. As with the first zero emissions school, Margaret Hendry in Taylor, the design of new school in Molonglo is focused on sustainability. One hundred per cent of the school’s energy needs will be sourced from ACT’s renewable electricity. Passive design features will be used to maximise the efficient use of electrical energy.
The school will save on power, with 100-kilowatt solar panels, electric-boosted solar hot water and automated LED lighting with motion sensor control. Double glazing will reduce the need for heating in winter, and cooling systems will draw cool night air inside during the summer to reduce the need for mechanical cooling during the day. When additional temperature control is needed, the cooling system can transfer heat from one part of the building to another to improve energy efficiency.
The buildings will include a membrane behind the internal walls and ceiling linings to prevent air leakage and provide greater thermal comfort for staff and students. Shade sails and deciduous trees will provide seasonal shade to the buildings and landscape. The sports field will be irrigated using inground water tanks that collect groundwater and water from roofs.
All these features respond to the government’s clear commitment to take tangible action on climate change and will also deliver a more comfortable school environment for students and staff alike.
MS CHEYNE: Minister, how will the Molonglo community be able to use these school facilities?
MS BERRY: I thank Ms Cheyne for the question. Schools are important community hubs and have facilities that cater for activities beyond student learning. The ACT government has recognised this by intelligently designing newer school facilities to cater for use by the wider community when they are not needed for education. The school will have plenty of facilities for the whole community to enjoy, including outdoor ovals, cricket nets, outdoor hard courts for basketball and netball, a multipurpose gym with kitchen facilities and a state-of-the-art multipurpose gym.
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