KDVP Hub opens doors to 21st century learning

OWN CORRESPONDENT

The story behind the creation of this space of 21st century learning goes back to November 1982, when Barney Myers unveiled a beautiful media centre that became a place for many pupils to read, network, and learn in the 1980s and 1990s. As time went on, books became outdated, technology advanced in leaps and bounds, social media and the internet became the quickest information source, and collaborative learning and globalisation became the norm.

The vision of the new centre was for a beautiful, modern place for primary school children to learn, collaborate, create, innovate, and most importantly, help equip them for the 21st century.

The project was complex with audacious financial and logistical requirements. However, with strong leadership and an ongoing passion for the end goal, the money was raised and a team of professionals rallied with the Parent-Teacher Association to commence building at the start of 2019.

The upgrade wasn’t just an extreme makeover of an old building, it required more light, a new roof, extra space for a high-tech auditorium, in addition to appropriate furniture and technology to make it a functional and relevant innovation centre.

Funds were raised over three years from current parents and generous “past Parkers” who wanted to pay it forward to the next generation. Almost 11 months later, the amazing transformation was complete.

Next year, The Hub will be integrated into the school timetable to allow pupils to collaborate and research when doing projects, hold video conferences of speakers from another country in the new 70-seater auditorium, or to use the “Maker” space to tinker with robotics, 3D printing, wood, arts, sewing, and more.