29/01/2008 - Tullibigeal Central School - Outdoor Undercover Area

Adopt A School Project

We began our project by evaluating the careers opportunities available to our students at Tullibigeal Central School. From this evaluation we identified that some students needed to have some experience in the construction industry. By identifying this need we were able to investigate options that were available to us within the school setting.

It was decided by staff to look at the issue of disruption near the Video Conference rooms during recess and lunch due to student lockers and students eating area being situated close to the VC rooms. It was seen as pragmatic to move the students to a different area in the school where they would be more comfortable and able to relax, during breaks in class.

Where to move the students to?
After staff and student discussion we decided to use the passive lawn area where we had the room to build an undercover area for the students. This would involve pouring a slab of concrete and erecting a covered shed.

Through the guidance of Darren Payne (Builder) and the students we were able to set the formwork ready to have the slab poured. This was arranged and Miller Concrete from West Wyalong delivered the concrete. With the assistance of Darren Payne the students were able to pour, screed and finish the concrete, giving them insight and experience into concreting directed by a qualified tradesman.

This was a rewarding event for the students as they have added to the physical environment of the school and had the chance to be involved in an industry that they may not have been able to do before.

The school then focused on the covering of the slab and had several discussions involving staff, students and industry experts. We decided to have the shed pre fabricated by Cowan Engineering in Forbes, who were keen to be involved in the project. The students measured the slab and then sent the dimensions to Cowan Engineering. This gave the students invaluable experience in measuring and calculations, and in a practice that is commonly used by industry to have the work sub contracted out.

Our Principal, Patrick Nethery, towed the shed out to Tullibigeal and we had the students, staff and some community members place the shed on the slab. By doing this we were able to use safe manual handling practices which are common to most industries.

The students, with the assistance of our General Assistant, Steven Dodgson, dyna bolted the shed to the slab and installed the lockers ready for use. The under cover area for years 9 and 10 is now a permanent part of Tullibigeal Central School which will be used for years to come.

CWYTS Inc would like to thank Wade Greenwood and Patrick Nethery for the time taken to make this project such a success!