Deputy Martin Ozanne yesterday took a last tour of the two new secondary schools before leaving the States. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0527120)
THE completion of the island’s first new secondary schools for more than two decades is less than four months away. The schools at Les Nicolles are on target and on budget, according to the outgoing Education minister.
Martin Ozanne was given his last official look around St Sampson’s High and Le Murier yesterday. He said he was extremely proud to be a part of the project, which has an overall budget of £45m., with £37m. for the build.
Contractor R. G. Falla began work on 12 July 2006. ‘I am very proud to have been involved with this because it is a really great project to see coming to fruition,’ said Deputy Ozanne. The two schools are set to open at the beginning of the academic year in September.
St Sampson’s High has the capacity for 720 pupils and Le Murier 130.
Education already has the keys to St Sampson’s High and Le Murier, for special needs pupils, is set to be completed in June.
‘There will be the opportunity for a lot of cross-movement between the schools,’ said Deputy Ozanne.
‘There has been a lot of thought put into this between Education staff, R. G. Falla, our advisors and consultants, architects and engineers.
‘Our staff were involved at the earliest stage.’
He said a board made up of Education and Treasury and Resources staff had administered the finances of the build and worked closely with the contractor.
‘The board has had to balance any changes with how much money is available.
‘We are very confident that the build will be on time and within budget and a fantastic facility for those pupils who will attend,’ said Deputy Ozanne.
‘These buildings have been built to last and this school will be fit for purpose in 50 years.
‘If in 50 years’ time the building needs to be adjusted, it can be,’ he said.
‘Walls can be taken down and classrooms expanded. We have learnt from previous mistakes about the future-proofing of our schools.
‘The Grammar School is 23 years old and many walls still have their original layer of paint. Such techniques have also been used in these schools.
‘Everything has been thought of and we have learnt from bad decisions in the past.
‘The stairs have stainless-steel rails to prevent barging.
‘There are plenty of breakout areas and wide corridors where the youngsters will be able to congregate.’
He said it was a shame there had been so many problems in relation to traffic around the new schools.
‘We certainly won’t have problems like the ones we’ve had at Les Nicolles with the new Les Beaucamps,’ he said.
Deputy Ozanne said he would be proud to pass on the achievements of the department to the next minister.
R. G. Falla project director Peter Gregory said all aspects had been taken into account.
‘The football pitches were sown in October 2006,’ he said.
‘You have to give the grass at least two years before you can play on it so that was one of the first jobs on site.
‘We have had between 100 and 150 men on the site at all times,’ he said.
‘The last of the work – the sports and administration block – will be handed over to Education at the end of July or start of August.’
Education and Culture and Leisure have worked together to build a swimming pool that can be used by the community and island swimming clubs.
Culture and Leisure contributed £1m. to the facility to allow the inclusion of a sixth lane, which is 1.2m. deep in the shallow end and 1.8 in the deep end.
As well as the pool, the schools will have a 600sq. m sports hall, a recording studio and an outdoor/indoor area with the roof designed as at the Eden Project.
The spherical library, which has been built following talks with staff at the Guille-Alles, is at the heart of the two schools and will provide a resource centre giving students access to computers and research material.
‘It’s just a fantastic space,’ said Derek Bridel, assistant director for planning and projects for Education.
‘The bookshelves will act like the spokes of a wheel radiating out, allowing plenty of light into the room.’
He said there would be desks for 30 pupils in each class. ‘Most classes will have no more than 24 pupils.
‘We will be putting desks in for 30 but a lot of teaching groups will be smaller,’ he said.
There will be a staff of 100 between the two schools, including 60 teachers.
The building has been designed to make the best possible use of natural light, with large windows, open spaces and skylights.
Surfaces in the science and food- technology rooms can be lowered to accommodate students in wheelchairs.
The climbing wall, which will be used by both schools, was donated by the Wooden Spoon, a charity that supports mentally and physically disadvantaged children, and cost £90,000.
Article posted on 30th April, 2008 - 2.29pm
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