Bomaderry High School’s plans to upgrade its library to a vibrant, engaging learning space to strengthen community ties is taking shape.
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Bomaderry High School’s P and C has been a driving force behind the project, particularly on the fundraising front.
The P and C organised a giant fundraising raffle which was drawn on Monday with close to 50 prizes up for grabs.
The five major prizes, including the first prize of a Usain Bolt signed shoe, were drawn in front of the school’s morning assembly.
P and C president Sue Cuninghame said the school had been “blown away” by the level of local support.
“Businesses from across the Shoalhaven has been fantastic in their support,” she said.
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“We had well over $5000 in prizes to give away in the raffle.
“We just can’t thank everyone enough for their support.”
The fundraiser has topped $9000.
The money, combined with two government grants, will be used in a transformation project for the library.
“The library is 30-years-old and was in need of an upgrade,” Ms Cuninghame said.
“We desperately need modern furniture and resources to bring it up to 21st century standards to cater not only for our 800 students but the wider community.
“Changes to teaching and learning brought about by technology and innovation mean the function of the school library has changed dramatically.
“In its current state our library struggles to cope with student and teacher demand with all available areas fully booked most days.
“We are looking to turn it into a modern library, to met the demand for the future, focused on learning.”
She said the days of reference books being one of the major things in a library were gone.
“We are looking to make it a collaboration point - a place where children and the community can go,” she said.
“We want to transform our library into a vibrant, engaging learning space that can be utilised by staff, students and the wider community.”
The plan is to replace the dated furniture with modern equipment to promote collaboration and innovation and integrated flexible pods and laptop benches to improve the effectiveness of the space.
Additional technology will also be purchased to support the school’s STEAM (science, technology, engineering, and math) programs including 3D printers and ICT equipment.
“The days of no noise in the library are over. It is a place where people can work together,” she said.
“The Department of Education is pushing connectivity between the local school and its community. And that’s what we are looking at doing - creating a community hub. It’s an exciting proposition.
“We are looking at it to be a place where members of the community can interact with or students and teach certain skills - like getting the CWA ladies in to teach students things like knitting or crocheting.
“We want to get the community involved with the school.
“We want to make the library a more inclusive area that everyone can access. It will not just be a place to sit around, it is a place to work together to collaborate.”
The school has also been successful in gaining two government grants - a $13,500 federal grant under the Stronger Communities Program and a $77,400 state government grant under the Community Building Partnership scheme.
The P and C will also contribute around $17,000 towards the project.
The school has also taken part in the state government’s Return and Earn Scheme Container Deposit Scheme and has raised a further $3000 by recycling cans and bottles.
Members of the public can also make tax deductible donations towards the project.
The link to donate is – https://www.schoolsplus.org.au/projects/drab-fab-help-us-bring-library-21st-century/