Building the Education Revolution
As part of the Federal Government's stimulus package, Lindfield East Public School is receiving a new two story classroom block and a covered outdoor learning area.
See the full photo album in our gallery here.
Update 4 February 2010
Preparations have begun for construction of the new two-storey classroom block and K-2 COLA (covered outdoor learning area). Additional fencing and gates have been erected to ensure safety for our community during the 9 – 12 month building period. A temporary access road will soon be laid, followed by clearing and the foundation work. Updates will be communicated as the capital works project progresses.
Update 25 February 2010
The construction of our new classrooms is now well underway. Excavation machinery have now cleared an access road and begun leveling the building site for our two storey (6 classroom) building. This initial phase of construction requires chain saws and heavy diggers and will undoubtedly be the noisiest and most disruptive to classes.
Regular liaising with the site supervisor has ensured that tight OH&S procedures are in place and that a safe environment is maintained for our community.
Update 11 March 2010
The boring of pier holes has taken place this week. These will form the footings for the building's foundations. The workmen have reported sighting brush turkeys and our resident echidna during the week. The contractors have commented on excellent site access allowing safe and uninterrupted project development.
Update 25 March 2010
The construction of our new classroom block is moving along to schedule. Deep trenches are now ready for the mass concrete footings and steel reinforcement planned over the next fortnight. The site foreman and project manager are continuing to provide excellent communication throughout the development process.
Update 29 April 2010
Fine weather has ensured the progress of the six new classrooms is ahead of schedule. Last Friday, a 10-hour concrete pour laid the ground floor slab of the structure. This week the scaffolding has been assembled to support the building phase of the development.
Update 6 May 2010
The new building site at LEPS is now fully encased in scaffolding. This now allows the students and teachers to conceptualise the proportions of the development. The next stage of building will see the concrete floor of the first storey floor being poured and the brick work will follow.
Update 20 May 2010
Fine weather allowed the workmen to lay the second storey slab last Friday, a week ahead of schedule. The concrete is given 28 days to cure, before a steel frame structure and brick work are added.
I've provided some elevated building plans in this week's BER update. You'll note that the brick structure has matching staircases leading to the second storey classrooms, an undercover walkway at ground level and a balcony on the first floor.
Update 27 May 2010
The new classrooms at LEPS will comprise of approximately 40,000 bricks. Despite some rain over the last week, the bricklayers have made significant progress on the wall below ground floor level. The view in the photograph is of the external back wall.
In addition to our classrooms, a new Covered Outdoor Learning Area (COLA) will be constructed under the BER program. The large steel structure will totally cover our K – 2 silver seats, providing all students with a re-surfaced all-weather area.
The building of the COLA will commence on Friday, 11 June and will hopefully be complete for the return of students in Term 3.
Update 10 June 2010
The new classrooms at LEPS have now had the timber form work stripped away. Today, the steel framework of the walls is being installed. The stairwells at either end of the building are the next phase in the process.
The students at LEPS are very excited at the prospect of finally having some grass areas to play on. The BER works open up a playground beside the new building for a K-2 turfed area and in place of the demolished old buildings for Years 3 – 6. This is repeatedly voiced by students as the top of their resource ‘Wish list' at LEPS.
In addition to our classrooms, a new Covered Outdoor Learning Area (COLA) will be constructed under the BER program. The large steel structure will totally cover our K – 2 silver seats, providing all students with a safe, re-surfaced all-weather area. A more detailed letter, explaining the removal of the Camphor Laurel tree has been sent home to parents.
Update 17 June 1020
The construction of the new K – 2 COLA started today. The area has been fenced off to ensure the safety of our community and will, weather permitting, be completed in time for the start of Term 3. K - 2 classes have organised interim measures around lining up and eating.
Update 24 June 2010
The stair wells at either end of the new classroom blocks have been formed up and will have concrete poured in the next week. The steel required for the roof of the structure will be delivered next week and the building will have noticeably progressed by the start of Term 3.
Ground preparations for the COLA started this week. The new playground will be fully re-surfaced with concrete underneath the COLA and any damaged asphalt will be replaced around the adjoining playground. A large cross-section of the Camphor Laurel has been retained and will hopefully be shaped as a memento of the tree.
Update 1 July 2010
The BER program has made rapid progress under sunny winter skies this week. A large crane will have the steel roof frame constructed by the end of the week and this will allow the builders to start the internal works.
Our COLA has the foundations for the piers poured and the site cleared and ready for the holiday construction period.
A cross-section of the Camphor Laurel's trunk has been kept for commemorative reasons.
Update 22 July 2010
The Covered Outdoor Learning Area's (COLA) slab and structure were completed over the school holidays. Unfortunately, rain has delayed the ‘hand over' date. Hopefully the roofing and landscaping can be finished within the fortnight and the facility handed over to the school community.
Our classrooms are still progressing ahead of schedule. The roof is now complete allowing plumbers and electricians to start the internal works.
Update 5 August 2010
Finally, fine weather on Wednesday allowed the roofers to insulate and sheet the COLA. Rain and strong winds have unfortunately delayed the completion and handover of the new structure.
The new classrooms, however, remain on schedule. This week has seen the balcony railings fitted and the internal fit out of the classrooms progressing quickly.
Update 12 August 2010
The scaffolding around the classroom blocks will be dismantled this week to reveal the impressive facade of the new infants building. The brickwork and windows are now complete and a solid metal railing dominates the upstairs balcony. The COLA had sound muffling and sheeting installed this week and the structure should be complete within the fortnight.
Update 19 August 2010
The new classrooms have just had the windows fitted and the internal painting has begun. The scaffolding has now been removed to reveal the impressive brick and colourbond structure. A delay in laying the peripheral bitumen surface around the COLA until next Monday, has delayed the eagerly awaited handover of the new facility.
Update 16 September 2010
The COLA should finally reach completion this week. The removal of the fencing, the re-seating and the landscaping will all occur over the weekend. This week saw two coats of a non-slip painted surface applied and the drainage successfully trialed with Tuesday's deluge. Our classrooms are now painted, and the pinboards and carpet will be fitted and laid next week. The paths, turfing and planting are the next stages before the final stage that would see the removal of the old buildings.
Update 28 October 2010
The new classrooms at LEPS are nearing completion and the students in 2AH, 2EH, 1MS & 1NC look like moving into their new rooms in Week 5. With only a few weeks of landscaping and the removal of the old classrooms to follow, the BER program will soon reach completion. LEPS will hold an official open day to allow the community to inspect our wonderful new rooms immediately after completion.