It is with great excitement that we have been able to welcome all our students, parents and staff onto the newly renovated areas on our campus.
Following the renovations of our Elementary School wing last year, we continued with renovations this summer, which can be viewed on video here. Our focus during this phase was on revamping our Secondary classrooms, the Eli Lilly field, our Tea Room and our Dormitory, adapting to the changing needs of our students and staff
Our ambition was to create a modern learning environment, ensuring it meets the current education standards, while preserving the school’s rich heritage.
Functionality of our spaces and creating an environment that encourages academic excellence has been a key component of our renovation. The school has introduced flexible learning spaces, where room sizes can be adjusted to suit class or grade levels and where desk configurations or seating arrangements can be adapted to suit the needs of each group or individual. Each class now boasts interactive whiteboards, and desks can also be used as individual whiteboards.
Our corridors have been widened to increase moveability, which also opens up to bring more light, making our spaces brighter. With the introduction of couches in the corridors, students are provided with breakaway spaces.
With newly placed high quality turf, our Eli Lilly field has provided a space that will further enhance our already strong athletic programs. By renovating our Eli Lilly field, we are confirming that sporting excellence and maintaining a balanced lifestyle are key components at CA.
Our brand new Tea Room is a serene and elegant addition that embodies the spirit of “Ichigo Ichie: One Time One Meet”. The authentic elements such as tatami mats and shoji screens, invites visitors to experience the tranquility and mindfulness that are central to the Japanese tea ceremony. This tea room offers not just a place for tea, but shows a commitment of being an international school, embedded into our local community.
Last but not least was the renovation of our Dormitory. We have now expanded to house 40 students. The new design features a modern and sleek look, catering to our diverse background of boarders. With private study rooms and refreshed communal areas, our boarders are provided with a sense of privacy and community.
When asked about the concept of the Secondary wing renovation, Brian Combes, our Secondary School Principal, and Jonathan Calvert, our Director of Finance, shared the ideas behind the renovation.
“When contemplating what was important to the Secondary School team as we planned for the renovation of the third and fourth floors of the main building, we learned so much simply by watching how our students interact with spaces across campus that have already undergone transformation.
There were so many positive outcomes from previous iterations which could easily be factored into our plans this summer, whether it be the movable furniture and interconnected classrooms from the Elementary School, the maximized use of space and climate control of the Atrium, or the clear sight lines and abundant natural light in the library.
With the overhaul of this latest area of the building now complete, Secondary students can now enjoy learning environments that are as unique and adaptable as they are. We are excited to see what might come next!”
The renovations have not only transformed our physical space but have also reinvigorated our school spirit. Witnessing the reactions from students and staff alike, have made us confident that these renovations signal a start of an era where tradition and innovation come together.