Trinity Catholic Primary School

Narre Warren, Melbourne

Located in one of the fastest growing suburbs in Victoria, Trinity Catholic Primary School Stage 3 comprised of a cluster of 7 classrooms built around a multi-purpose space. The adoption of a teacher resource room shared between every 2 classrooms facilitated the use of this space for smaller learning groups for special learning necessary for the diversity of the learner groups. To encourage a more collaborative learning environment, operable walls were installed between classrooms giving the flexibility to open the spaces into a 2 or 3 joint classroom space, making better use of the school’s resources. In addition, the majority of classrooms had direct access to the outside to accomodate outdoor learning activity.

The raised ceiling of the multi-purpose room acted as a ‘lantern’ letting in abundant natural light during winter while encouraging convective natural ventilation in summer. Despite an increase in scope necisitated by increased enrolment, the project was completed within the approved budget by the adoption of lightweight material for the upper section and the engagement of a locally based building company.