The facility will accommodate students from all year levels in 2022 when major changes to Emmanuel’s campus structure will see senior students relocated to the McAuley Campus and Year 9s will move to the Rice Campus to be immersed in the new 9@RICE Program.
There is a school of thought that suggests libraries are superfluous in the twenty-first century as we all have a library of sorts at our fingertips in our mobile phone.
Principal Peter Morgan explained at the opening event that Emmanuel College subscribes to a different school of thought, saying, “Emmanuel has made a conscious decision that a library is an integral part of the future of this school. And the reason for that is because libraries do more than simply provide resources.
The design and the fit out of this library reinforces that we all learn differently, that all learning is valid and learning together enriches not only ourselves but the society in which we live and which we continue to shape and influence.Peter Morgan, Principal
The Emmanuel library is a safe learning environment; it’s a place where people of all ages share ideas, learn together, identify and solve problems, create, listen, experiment and grow. It’s a little bit like the “Village Green”, where communities gather and in the sharing of ideas and in being together individuals experience belonging and community is formed.
In this library we can do that as formally or informally as you like; you can learn at a table and chair, in a booth with like-minded individuals, from the comfort of a couch or curled up in front of the fireplace with a good book.
The design and the fit out of this library reinforces that we all learn differently, that all learning is valid and learning together enriches not only ourselves but the society in which we live and which we continue to shape and influence.”
Internationally known Library consultant, Kevin Hennah worked with staff in developing a vision of how the space, technology and collection should evolve to maintain relevance and continue to support and enhance the educational program into the future.
Hennah has developed a showcase of best practice in library design, layout and visual merchandising strategy and his advice has been key to many of the design elements in the new Library.
The Emmanuel College Library received national recognition in 2017 when it first won a place on the list of Australia’s Great School Libraries, compiled by Freedom of Access to Information and Resources, Education HQ and Australian library associations, while in the same year the head of Emmanuel College’s library won the state’s top award for teacher librarians. Margaret Sinnott received the John Ward Award from the School Library Association of Victoria after being nominated by her peers across the state.
The redevelopment will see the Library continue to be a relevant, engaging and well- used hub of learning and wellbeing well into the future.
The Library redevelopment has been overseen by alumni Aaron Finnigan and Matt Smith. Between them the pair have previously worked on an impressive list of multimillion dollar and award-winning developments, including the Waterfront at Port Fairy, the Warrnambool Courthouse, AquaZone and the Merri River School (formerly Warrnambool SDS).
Aaron in the role of Divisional Manager is currently overseeing construction projects right across South West Victoria through to Geelong. “Our division turns over approximately $30m annually ranging in projects from schools, hospitals, aged care facilities and sporting projects”. He notes.
This leadership role is a far cry from where Aaron thought he would be when he first left school to take on a carpentry apprenticeship
with local builders BDH. “I knew I wouldn’t always be on the tools. But I didn’t think I’d go back and study.”
Aaron stayed with BDH for 10 years as a carpenter and foreman, before taking on an opportunity with Fairbrothers as a Site Manager. While in this role, he decided to take on some further study and obtained a Diploma of Project Management with Swinburne University. Aaron has recently returned to study again, this time seeking a qualification in Leadership and Management.
Matt in the role of Project Manager is responsible for managing the Emmanuel College Library redevelopment, along with a few other local projects.
Like Aaron, Matt did not foresee the responsibilities and career he would grow into when beginning his apprenticeship as a cabinet maker with Quality Kitchens. However Matt was demonstrating his leadership skills as early as in Year 8, where he was elected as a student leader – a role he would be reappointed to each year throughout his time at Emmanuel College.
Matt’s work to date has seen him working on a wide range of projects, from small renovations to multi-million dollar projects, from local developments to commercial ventures in the UK, and from new homes, to the stringent requirements of a Government Intermediate Secure Facility.
“Libraries are reservoirs of strength, grace and wit, reminders of order, calm and continuity, lakes of mental energy, neither warm nor cold, light nor dark…. In any library in the world, I am at home, unselfconscious, still and absorbed.”Germaine Greer
The Library at Emmanuel College is more than a hub for learning. It is recognised as an essential component of Emmanuel’s approach to Wellbeing.
The design of the new Library gave the College the opportunity to reflect on the social and private zones allowing students to work and relax individually or to collaborate with others in private meeting locations.
Emmanuel’s Psychologist Jodie Fleming says, “Our Library is such a valuable resource in terms of our student wellbeing. It provides so many wonderful locations that encourage socialising and connection, which is so important when we are talking about
adolescent development. It also provides lots of spaces that are sanctuaries that allow time out for those students needing to recharge, not to mention all of the incredible resources on hand that cater to just about every interest.”
“In the time that the Library was closed to undergo expansion and renovations, we had many more referrals and presentations to Wellbeing, which speaks to how vital and important this space is to our students. Students who would ordinarily seek respite in their quiet place within the Library, those who could find company at a chess board or a comrade at a Lego table found themselves at a loss.”
One student who was happy to see the new Library opened was Wrae of Year 9, who said, “I am part of the Book Club and it’s great to be able to meet students who are interested in books, like I am, and talk about stuff and hear each other’s points of view. All of the new spaces are amazing. It’s a great place to study as well. One day recently I just went, look, my brother is probably just going to be at home playing with the footy and it will be a bit hard to focus, so I just stayed at school and got some work done. One of my friends was here so I got to discuss the work with them too. It’s a really open space and it’s not just a Library. There are so many opportunities provided here. I am so glad we have this place!”
At Emmanuel College we work together to create a culture and environment that values and promotes all aspects of health and wellbeing, where students are nurtured to develop the skills and capabilities they need to flourish and be fit for life. Fit4Life is the name of the program developed by the College that is embedded throughout the curriculum and takes a very proactive approach to wellbeing.
Library Coordinator Margaret Sinnott said, “For many years the Library has liaised with the Wellbeing Team to assist with the resourcing and promotion of special days and weeks such as Mental Health Week and Cyber safety Week, providing resource materials, showing film clips and holding special events. Beyond that we have really been a key contributor to fostering supportive, meaningful relationships between staff and students. By incorporating into the design of our new Library a conscious awareness of the developmental stages of our students and the need to facilitate their social and emotional needs we hope to continue to go above and beyond.”
When Jed was a Year 8 student, he witnessed the opening of the then LRC, a $1.5 million dollar project, which saw the space greatly expanded and purpose built to support all the functions of a modern library. It was also the year he won the Emmanuel College Chess championship.
Fast forward 15 years, and Jed is back at Emmanuel College, in the middle of library upgrade, again talking chess. Now employed by Cri-Tech Plumbing, he has helped to redevelop the Library for the next generation of Emmanuel students. Coincidentally on deck as the new chess boards were being installed, Jed struck up a conversation with current Chess Coach, Mr Andrew McKenzie. Jed recalled his time at Emmanuel, enjoying chess as a student and was pleased to hear the Chess Club was still thriving today.
Year 11 student Amelia Bell is making a name for herself in the local art scene with her beautiful paintings that tell stories of family, community and the Gunditjmara – Maar land we live on.
Amelia was commissioned by Principal Peter Morgan to design window decals for the new Emmanuel College Library at the McAuley Campus and these will also be used on the windows that will eventually replace classroom corridor walls.
Amelia explained that her design for the window decals was a departure from her usual medium of paint. “This was my first digital artwork,” said Amelia “and this is definitely a path I would like to explore further.”
“The larger circles in the design, says Amelia, “represent groups of people coming together in a safe space where everyone is free to learn and the smaller circles represent the individuals that make up our College community.”
Amelia’s interest in art began to develop in Year 7 and Dad, Shane along with her grandmother have been her main storytelling mentors.
Amelia has received several commissions and sold paintings to local restaurants along with having works in the Provincial in Ballarat.
Exhibiting a special collection of her work (entitled The Formation of Gunditjmara Country) as part of the Port Fairy Winter Weekends has been a highlight, with all works selling. A short video made by Winter Weekends about Amelia and her art for this event attracted much attention.
Promoting her artwork through social media, including Facebook and Instagram, Amelia is keen to build a website in future.
Interestingly, Amelia does not currently study visual arts at school as she wants to keep her art as a form of escapism. “Creating art makes me feel calm and I think it’s good for mental health. Right now, it’s something I want to keep for myself as an interest.”
We congratulate Amelia on her design and look forward to seeing more work by this emerging young artist as she grows and explores her art and culture.
