27 Feb 2020
Canberra is well known for its climate of extremes, with high temperatures in the summer months and cold, frosty weeks in the winter. It’s important that we provide public school with facilities that meet these challenges, while also ensuring we meet our environmental energy efficiency considerations.
The ACT Government has invested in a number of upgrades to the infrastructure of established schools to ensure the thermal comfort needs of students and staff are met. When temperatures are too high or low, in the workplace and in schools, we all find it more difficult to concentrate and focus on work and learning.
Our learning spaces are equipped with essential infrastructure to manage internal temperatures year-round and most recently, we have made changes to school buildings to help maintain comfortable temperatures for both staff and students.
Some upgrades received by schools include:
* double glazing
* thermal window film application
* installation of 3.7m ceiling fans to provide cooling and de-stratify air in winter
* damper covers to prevent outside air from entering/exiting student learning spaces
* tuning of the heating, ventilation and cooling plant and equipment to enhance system efficiency.
Recipients of these upgrades include Calwell High School, Harrison School, North Ainslie Primary School, Southern Cross Early Childhood School, Turner School and Wanniassa Hills Primary School.
“These works have already made a huge difference to the comfort of students and staff during the summer months, and I am confident it will continue to provide a comfortable learning environment regardless of the temperature outside,” said Wanniassa Hills School Principal, John Manders.
These changes will also assist in reaching the Government’s sustainability commitments, by assisting in the reduction of gas and electricity usage.
Additionally, a door draught proofing program commenced in 2018-19 to assist schools to maintain internal building temperatures. This program will be extended to see all ACT Public schools completed on or before 2023-24.
We are already hearing appreciative sighs from staff and students alike in gratitude for the efforts being made to make our schools more comfortable.