Several infrastructure projects are under way at Stirling High School, with plans to open the new facilities in 2025.
A new three-storey building features a state-of-the-art kitchen, science labs and staffrooms.
Other projects under way include the construction of a new AstroTurf hockey field and a spectator’s pavilion.
Headmaster Doug Prior said that in 2022 the school management team sat with the school governing body to discuss the school’s five-year plan.
He said the infrastructure requirement was a ground-floor venue to cater to 300 guests, directly linked to the school hall along with the state-of-the-art kitchen.
“The beauty of this venue is based on its varied functionality, which on the ground floor includes its ability to double up as a lecture hall, grade assembly, matric dance, conference, and large meeting venue.
“This facility will also be available for hiring.”
He said each floor had a storage area, bathrooms and a printing room.
“The first floor includes three modern science venues. The second floor is the school’s media room/library, to encourage reading and internet-based research which both form an integral part of learning.
“In addition, there is a prefects room, staff workroom and the main printing venue,” Prior said.
They had also invested in an additional undercover staircase that was enclosed and added great value to pupil safety and eased access to the building.
“The parents are very excited because they have been seeing the construction from a distance.
“We have sent out a couple of pictures just to show them what the developments entail,” Prior said.
He said the projects were a reflection of what was once a vision for the school.
“Our second project, presently nearing completion, is our second astro which will allow all of our 20+ hockey teams to practise and play matches exclusively on astro.
“We will then be able to make use of our two full astros and our mini astro and we believe that this will further improve the level of hockey at Stirling.”
After the astro is completed later in 2025, they will start a new pavilion project which will consist of various team change rooms, bathroom facilities, a tuck shop, sports storage facilities, and both indoor and outdoor viewing areas on the first level.
“The pavilion will be strategically placed adjacent to the two astros, also bordering on the main cricket/rugby field, incorporating a view of the netball courts, and will be a central point of derby fixtures.”
He said existing facilities were already assisting with tournaments.
“As we have proved in our matric results, we had an 88% bachelor pass rate which is improving every year, and an overall of 99.1%. Sports facilities also put us in a good place.”
Prior said they were pushing hockey because of the numbers they had at the school.
Architect Johan Nel of ITM Architects in Qonce is the brains behind the school’s latest developments.
“We tried to use materials that match the school’s existing buildings.
“When it came to design, this was easy because we knew what the parameters were. A challenge was to tie in the passages with the existing building,” he said.
Nel said the projects came together quickly.
Daily Dispatch
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