![St John the Apostle Primary School / Baldasso Cortese Architects - Beam, Facade, Deck](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/552b/eede/e58e/ce2c/fd00/001d/newsletter/St_John_the_Apostle_PS_0071.jpg?1428942528)
-
Architects: Baldasso Cortese Architects
- Year: 2014
-
Photographs:Peter Clarke
-
Manufacturers: Sculptform
-
Service Engineers: MacCormack Associates Consultants, Arthur Tsarouhas
-
Builder: Magellan Projects, David Pettitt, Marcus Lawrence
-
Structure Engineer: Timber Imagineering, Duncan Bourke
-
Landscape Architect: LANDPROJECTS, Martyn Zdanius
-
Quantity Surveyor: Prowse Quantity Surveyors, Vincent Lau
-
Architects: Baldasso Cortese Architects
- Year: 2014
-
Photographs:Peter Clarke
-
Manufacturers: Sculptform
![St John the Apostle Primary School / Baldasso Cortese Architects - Image 7 of 19](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/552b/f023/e58e/cebf/5400/0021/newsletter/St_John_the_Apostle_PS_0735.jpg?1428942850)
Text description provided by the architects. The school represents the 1st step in a master plan developed in 2013 for a long term enrolment of 450 students and a peak enrolment of 600. The school has been designed as two pairs of learning communities; the schools long term intent is for stage 1 to accommodate 194 (P-2 year) students and future stages to accommodate 256 (3-6 year) students.
![St John the Apostle Primary School / Baldasso Cortese Architects - Chair](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/552b/ef6b/e58e/ce2c/fd00/0020/newsletter/St_John_the_Apostle_PS_0312.jpg?1428942673)
As one enters you are greeted by a large welcoming community space encouraging the parents to stay for morning tea and chat. The space is also used by staff as a lounge and the intent is for food preparation demonstration to take place in the space. Once a week selected students have morning tea with the Principal.
![St John the Apostle Primary School / Baldasso Cortese Architects - Windows, Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/552b/f046/e58e/cebf/5400/0022/newsletter/St_John_the_Apostle_PS_0822-BLURR.jpg?1428942890)
The school has been designed without a formal library which is now contained in a collaborative space providing direct access to all resources. The space also connects all spaces from entry through to learning communities and future stages.
![St John the Apostle Primary School / Baldasso Cortese Architects - Table, Chair](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/552b/ef4a/e58e/ce2c/fd00/001f/newsletter/St_John_the_Apostle_PS_0235.jpg?1428942636)
Students are grouped “Stage not Age” increasing engagement, they are taught to take increased responsibility for their learning.
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/552b/f5d4/e58e/cebf/5400/0032/newsletter/CATEGORY_2_ST_JOHN_THE_APOSTLE_PRIMARY_SCHOOL_4.jpg?1428944231)
A regular floor plan has been pushed and pulled to achieve a variety of spaces internally and externally that features large openings to achieve a highly porous learning environment without losing the sense of intimacy and fun. The overall transparency between spaces connects learners and creates a great sense of community. Each learning space has direct access to the shared activity spaces whether they are small or large breakout spaces.
![St John the Apostle Primary School / Baldasso Cortese Architects - Chair, Table](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/552b/ef01/e58e/ce2c/fd00/001e/newsletter/St_John_the_Apostle_PS_0127_v2.jpg?1428942564)
A series of smaller spaces provide opportunity for informal or group learning including; a tiered seating corner with a curtain for privacy and an organic banquet in the collaborative space. Each learning area has a wet area with benches at varying heights and ample storage for art and craft activities.
![St John the Apostle Primary School / Baldasso Cortese Architects - Lighting, Chair](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/552b/ef27/e58e/cebf/5400/001f/newsletter/St_John_the_Apostle_PS_0164_V2.jpg?1428942601)
The brief originally called for a centrally located staff work and resource space; this has now become a collaborative breakout teaching space to work one on one with teacher or use for small group collaborative activities.
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/552b/f643/e58e/ce2c/fd00/0035/newsletter/CATEGORY_2_ST_JOHN_THE_APOSTLE_PRIMARY_SCHOOL_5.jpg?1428944342)
The embedding of High bandwidth IT infrastructure technology in the learning space – smart boards, networked and wireless connection to computers hand held devices adds to the flexibility demanded by the curriculum.
![St John the Apostle Primary School / Baldasso Cortese Architects - Table, Chair, Shelving](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/552b/effb/e58e/cebf/5400/0020/newsletter/St_John_the_Apostle_PS_0483.jpg?1428942813)
Extensive use of timber for structure cladding both internally and externally provides a welcoming, warm serene backdrop to vibrantly coloured student works. Pin-board material play a key role in the widespread acoustic treatment, applied to walls, floors and ceilings.
![St John the Apostle Primary School / Baldasso Cortese Architects - Windows](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/552b/f078/e58e/ce2c/fd00/0024/newsletter/St_John_the_Apostle_PS_0859.jpg?1428942936)