Mr Stephen Elder recently opened the new St Peter’s East Bentleigh Junior School Building. The building is designed to cater for learning spaces that are open, flexible and adaptable and include a range of areas suitable for collaborative learning, individual learning, small group work and support services. The school has 4 class groups in each year level which are called ‘neighbourhoods’ to reinforce the sense of community that is a key aspect of the school. The building is also environmentally sustainable with water tanks and a design to make use of natural light. It is connected to the world through wireless technology and the school has incorporated modern, changeable and flexible furniture.

St Peter’s Community began planning this project in 2007 and construction commenced in November 2008. The building was designed by Harding Architects and 2Construct were the successful builders. This construction of the Junior School was funded by a loan by the Catholic Development Fund (CDF). Michael Juliff Principal of St Peter’s explains; “CDF were fantastic in the support of the St Peter’s Community. This project has allowed us to replace 10 old portables that were put on site temporarily in the 1960’s! With the loan we now have a learning environment for our students that is 21st Century designed and equipped.” The ‘Building the Education Revolution’ funding will complement the new Junior School with the project being designed by the same architect and built by the same construction company – St Peter’s will truly be a 21st Century School by mid 2010.