Nov2011_SAMFORD VALLEY STEINER SCHOOL
It’s No Cookie-Cutter Building
The weather may have been damp and overcast but students, staff and parents of Samford Valley Steiner School warmly welcomed Queensland Senator Mark Furner and the State Minister for Education and Training, Geoff Wilson, and invited guests, to the official opening of their new performance hall and library.
The opening ceremony began with a moment’s reflection on how the buildings came to exist. Transitional Manager Joan Weir spoke of the initial dream for a practical and beautiful gathering place within the school grounds. It was, however, only really a dream until the Federal Government’s Building Education Revolution grants were made available in early 2009. Ms Weir encouraged the students to think big, because dreams can come true.
Senator Mark Furner thanked the school for inviting him to be part of the official opening. He told those present that a special part of his role as a Senator is to visit many new school buildings funded by the BER grants, but that whilst they are all different, Samford Valley Steiner School’s new hall and library are certainly buildings that beautifully blend into their environment. Senator Furner expressed his wish for present and future generations, and the wider community, to benefit from these new buildings.
Local Member of Parliament, Geoff Wilson, spoke about the building’s environmental attributes: solar panels offering clean energy and the overwhelming use of timber – the roof trusses have been recycled from the old Woolshed in Ferny Grove.
He congratulated all those involved and said that the buildings are a great example of what can be achieved. He also expressed his commitment to the school and his continued support of parental choice for the education for their children.
Teachers, Jan Baker-Finch and Alan Drysdale, along with students from Class 12 performed a blessing for the new hall and acknowledged the responsibility of ownership of their new built environment.
If you would like to know more about how a Steiner education could benefit your child, please visit the school’s website at www.samfordsteiner.qld.edu.au or contact the school on 3430 9600 to take a guided tour.
The opening ceremony began with a moment’s reflection on how the buildings came to exist. Transitional Manager Joan Weir spoke of the initial dream for a practical and beautiful gathering place within the school grounds. It was, however, only really a dream until the Federal Government’s Building Education Revolution grants were made available in early 2009. Ms Weir encouraged the students to think big, because dreams can come true.
Senator Mark Furner thanked the school for inviting him to be part of the official opening. He told those present that a special part of his role as a Senator is to visit many new school buildings funded by the BER grants, but that whilst they are all different, Samford Valley Steiner School’s new hall and library are certainly buildings that beautifully blend into their environment. Senator Furner expressed his wish for present and future generations, and the wider community, to benefit from these new buildings.
Local Member of Parliament, Geoff Wilson, spoke about the building’s environmental attributes: solar panels offering clean energy and the overwhelming use of timber – the roof trusses have been recycled from the old Woolshed in Ferny Grove.
He congratulated all those involved and said that the buildings are a great example of what can be achieved. He also expressed his commitment to the school and his continued support of parental choice for the education for their children.
Teachers, Jan Baker-Finch and Alan Drysdale, along with students from Class 12 performed a blessing for the new hall and acknowledged the responsibility of ownership of their new built environment.
If you would like to know more about how a Steiner education could benefit your child, please visit the school’s website at www.samfordsteiner.qld.edu.au or contact the school on 3430 9600 to take a guided tour.
