Overnewton Anglican Community College has moved to quash rumours it’s planning to ditch its libraries.
Under the school’s recently unveiled new master plan, the junior schools will be combined into one at the Taylors Lakes campus, while the two middle schools will become one on the Keilor Campus.
While the transition marks an exciting period for the school, some parents have been left concerned the plan doesn’t contain a library.
Overnewton Anglican Community College principal James Laussen said the notion the school is set to do away with its library services was false.
“Initially, we were going to use the library space for classes while we completed the renovations, but we’ve since re-thought that,” he said. “There’s been a few people fearful we’re getting rid of our libraries altogether and that’s simply not true – we’re a school, we’d never take them away.”
While Mr Laussen insists the school will continue to offer library services, he said the manner in which they operate would be different.
“Libraries have changed since I was at school and we want our facilities to be up to 21st century standards,” he said. “At the moment, we have our students have library classes once a week, but we’re looking to introduce a system that brings the books to the classroom. The Reggio Emilia approach to education, one which is student-centred, is something we’re looking to infuse in our junior school and bringing the books to the classroom is part of that.”
Mr Laussen said decisions surrounding the way the school’s library looked would include staff input.
“We have wonderful library staff at both our campuses and I look forward to speaking with them about their ideas and input,” he said
To view the plan visit: overnewton.vic.edu.au
