On Wednesday August 28^th, Renmark High School’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and Art Spaces were officially opened by Member for Chaffey, Minister Tim Whetstone. We were lucky enough to have the support of community members on the day including Renmark Paringa Council CEO Mr Tony Siviour and Mayor Mr Neil Martinson, Renmark Primary School Principal Lyn Bretag, Renmark Childcare Centre Director Gale Hanson, St Joseph’s Principal Don Depalma, and RHS Governing Council representatives in attendance.

The $2.5 million dollar STEM and Arts facilities, built over 2018 were opened to staff and students at the start of the 2019 school year and have provided a platform for developing new and exciting learning opportunities. The new facilities boast a range of different learning environments. This has allowed classes to access spaces that meet the needs of different task design and for students to find spaces that meet their differing learning styles.

Already we have seen the collaboration between our Mathematics and Science faculties, designing integrated units allowing students to make links between different disciplines. Students have engaged in STEM based challenges and there has been an increase in team teaching. Within all of these, there has been a strong focus in developing students’ critical and creative thinking skills.

Students are thriving within the open learning environment. Not only are staff more accessible but students are also acting as owners of their own learning and as a resource for each other.

Charlee Webb: “As we all have Science at the same time, we have a lot of students and teachers who are able to help us”.

Amalia Belehris: “It allows you to work independently. You can pick a space that matches your learning style.”

Anna Son: “It’s got spaces for everyone’s different learning styles. I like the whiteboard tables because you can visualise your problem solving and work with others on complex problems.”

Jess Farrelly (Science Coordinator)