In 2012 Yass High School was victim to a blaze that ripped through the industrial arts and home science block, which ultimately had to be demolished.
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On Monday, students for the first time were able to enter and begin learning in the new two storey building, containing facilities for computer science, textiles, food technology, two performing arts rooms; with lighting for small drama performances, as well as trade standard facilities for metalwork, woodwork and hospitality.
Yass High Principal Sandra Hiscock is thrilled that they are finally able to use the new buildings and excited about the new styles of learning the rooms bring.
“We are hoping to do more project based study,” she said.
“Term 1, Year 9 had integrated learning and focused on Aboriginal study. They were able to do individual projects and form their own groups, kids were able to develop their own skills from what the teachers have taught them.
“This is just one way in which we are being proactive with how kids are learning and trying new styles, whilst still using the syllabus.”
The new building took over 40 weeks from beginning to end to complete, Ms Hiscock explained that although it could have been quicker, parents proposed that it would be more viable and cost effective to build the further storey on top of the bottom floor.
Ms Hiscock visited the Minister for education in 2013 and subsequently was asked to provide a full Master Plan for Yass High.
“This was to see what the school was entitled to, put together ideas of how to provide the facilities necessary as well as getting rid of the demountables.”
“In the end, some of the space downstairs was a bit smaller because there was no extra funding, however we were still able to get some fantastic facilities.”
Yass High also received funding from the Federal Government through Trade Training; this, along with the insurance money, provided them with enough money to fit out the rooms as trade standard for metal, wood and hospitality.
“This enables us to deliver Vocational Education Training to Certificate two and three, we already have staff that are trained in the Australian standard for trade,” she said.
“At the moment we have been providing this education outside the school. So we were travelling to Goulburn Tafe to use the facilities at industry standard. They can now reach all competency through these facilities at their own school.”
Yass High provides training for students in the community, to work with the Yass Valley community members and eventually leave with both credentials and local experience.
The four open plan classrooms also provided within the new building will be suitable for more integrated learning. A staff room able to house 20 staff members was also constructed, designed for staff to interact and plan together.