IB Centre - ACS Egham Development 2011

02 May 2011

The High School Principal shared exciting communication of the new IB Diploma Centre for Grade 11-12 students at the Semester 1 Awards assembly before Easter/Spring Break. The new centre, to open for the beginning of the 2011-12 academic year, will be located in the former Early Childhood building and will be a self-contained space for our Grade 11/12 students and will include:-

  • Study Space/classroom for individual and collaborative study that is bound to impact positively on student performance
  • Additional small classroom spaces for meetings, presentations, native language tutoring or small group activities
  • Office space for the IB Diploma Co-ordinator, Secretary and the University Counsellor who will all be housed in the new centre facilitating improved support and collaboration for all Grade 11/12 students
  • University Counselling suite including a space for visiting University Admissions
  • Representatives
  • A lounge/break out area where IB students can relax
  • Dedicated computer and presentation equipment
  • Kitchen and refreshment facilities

ACS Egham is delighted with this development which provides our Grade 11-12 students with the space and resources they require as they complete their final years of high school study and prepare to transition as independent learners to the world of further education.

See Latest Floorplans below :-

IB New Floor 1

Head of School Update

I trust that all of you will have received my letter detailing information about the new IBDP centre that will open in time for the next academic year? This is a really exciting development that will combine study, teaching and relaxation areas. Another significant benefit will be the fact that the IB Coordinator and College Counsellor will be housed in the IBDP Centre, thus improving their accessibility to the students and their parents.

With the advent of the IBDP centre will come increased opportunities for our students to demonstrate the level of selfmotivation and independence that will become such an integral part of their lives when they enter university.

I wrote to you on 2nd February regarding the exciting news that the IB Diploma Centre had received Board approval. I would now like to give you an update as to our progress to date.

The main bulk of the work so far has been to do with preparing the building for the necessary renovations. This has included:

  • Clearing out of any left over furniture and fittings
  • Reviewing the structural engineering plans so as to confirm exactly how we want the space to be used
  • Commencing the tendering process for the building works
  • Drawing up the mechanical & electrical plans and beginning the tendering  process

Our next body of work is centred on the internal fit-out. This will include identifying the equipment needed to furnish these spaces, namely:-

  • Classroom and meeting room tables and chairs
  • Reception area seating
  • Office furniture
  • Technology equipment, for example projectors, computers, and printers

The High School Principal, College Counsellor, IB Coordinator and Facilities Manager have all provided invaluable input into the process thus far and will continue to be involved as the fit-out continues.

As part of the internal fit-out process, we will be looking at the communal space/student lounge. At this time we will be looking for students to have a say in what furniture and colour schemes they would like to have in this area. We are hoping to involve our students in the 3 weeks after Spring break (Simon says 1-2 weeks?) and will communicate nearer the time when we have samples, colours and drawings from the contractors for students to look at.

We hope you are as excited by this project as we are, and I look forward to sharing more information with you as works progress.