Jindabyne was a site of ceremony today, Friday March 21, as a new state-of-the-art learning hub called the Curiosity Centre, at Snowy Mountains Grammar School (SMGS) was officially opened. The event reflected on the growth and aspirations of an education institution celebrating its 30th anniversary year.
PHOTO: Michael Jones – Chairman (left), School Captain – Morgan Tonkin, Member for Monaro – Steve Whan, SMGS Principal – Dr Andrew Bell (right).
Ngarigo Elders commenced the ceremony with a smoking ritual performed by Uncle David Dixon, followed by Aunty Glenda Dixon’s welcome to country. Michael Jones OAM, Chairman of the Board of Directors at SMGS, set the tone for the event by acknowledging dignitaries and the building’s symbolic representation of the school’s evolution. He remarked, “This new building is a physical symbol of Snowy Mountains Grammar School’s coming of age.”
PHOTO: Students are now utilising all aspects of the building.
The construction of the $12.7 million learning hub was supported by a substantial $4.5 million grant from the New South Wales Government’s Building Grants Assistance Scheme (BGAS), aimed at enhancing educational infrastructural capacity. Steve Whan, Member for Monaro, highlighted the facility’s potential in addressing regional educational needs, stating, “This funding has created contemporary facilities to meet the needs of current and future students.”
PHOTO: The ART classroom has a huge variety of different equipment.
The hub’s facilities are cutting-edge, offering a visual arts classroom, gallery space, design and technology workshops, science laboratories, digital and learning studios, and open learning areas. Mr Whan said, “I’m particularly impressed with the educational focus of this facility; it will make STEM subjects more attractive, encouraging students to pursue further training in science, engineering, technology, or maths.”
PHOTO: SMGS students can now access business quality media tools where they can work on things like podcasts.
Principal Dr Andrew Bell discussed the building’s adaptation to teaching needs, noting its seamless integration into the school culture. He expressed, “In days of its initial use, we saw teachers and students immediately taking to the building, applying their culture and practices, you would have thought they’d been doing that for months, if not years.”
PHOTO: Jo Larkin – Director of Marketing and Enrolments SMGS, with Member for Monaro – Steve Whan, in the brand new design and technology classroom.
Michael Jones acknowledged the project’s complexities, including delays and financial challenges, while acknowledging partnerships with Westpac Bank, Spectrum Property and Projects, and Munns Sly Moore architects. He also thanked the contractors from the Patterson Building Group for their dedication to completing the project.
Snowy Mountains Grammar School’s Year 11 Student Ambassadors, Oscar White and Charlie Pearce, guided Snowy Mountains News through the new facilities after the ceremony. The tour showcased incredible learning tools, such as, 3D printers, an automated laser cutting machine, and a flight simulator, testimony to the school’s commitment to providing a high tech, high quality learning environment.
PHOTO: Oscar White, and Charlie Pearce with laser cut timber projects.
This Curiosity Centre signifies a commitment to fostering academic excellence in the region, whilst broadening opportunities for students particularly in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.