St Catherine’s Primary School in Berwick is home to approximately 700 students.  The school has dramatically changed over the last three decades from a semi-rural community of 65 students to its current urban surroundings and a much larger student cohort.  The MacKillop building was extended and refurbished in 2020 to create a Foundation and Junior Learning centres. It includes twelve learning spaces that surround two central flexi -spaces, four glazed focus spaces and an art room.

The MacKillop building was designed as a large open space to promote group learning. Built-in timber seating boxes give relief to the large space and allow for student groups to define project space. The built in seating is made from birch ply and upholstered black cushions.

Focus spaces are used for one-on-one teaching, small group activities, independent study and peer to peer tutoring.

The large glazing allows natural light and maintains a visual connection to the rest of the activities going on in the space.

The art room is defined by the large glass sliding wall and vinyl floors. It has a built in storage and wet area as well as a ventilation system to remove the smells of creative mediums. The rear of the art room opens to a covered exterior space allowing students to work indoors, outside or in both environments.

Class spaces incorporate storage behind an angled presentation wall. The angle of the wall encourages a more organic class interaction as an alternative to the transnational lecture style layout. The class spaces are designed be suitable for multiple layouts and an evolving learning environment. Student toilets are located near learning areas to give students safe and easy access to toilets throughout their day.

Pin boards throughout the building provide a practical, consistent and neat solution for displaying students works and learning information.

Flush mounted strip lighting lifts the ceiling and delivers even lighting to compliment the natural lighting that shines though the clerestory windows filling the building.

Photography by: Gallant Lee