Education and Early Childhood Development
September 8, 2016
Growing our Province’s School Communities
Octagon Pond Elementary Welcomes First Students Tomorrow
Octagon Pond Elementary School is ready to open its doors and welcome students for the new school year. The Honourable Dale Kirby, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, toured the new facility today together with Darrin Pike, CEO/Director of Education, and Milton Peach, Chair, as well as other representatives of the Newfoundland and Labrador English School Board.
“New modern learning environments are important, as our province grows and we continue to meet the educational needs of students and families in Newfoundland and Labrador. Our government is placing a clear focus on ensuring we provide quality education to students and this is an exciting day for the students, teachers and staff, as well as the school community of Octagon Pond Elementary. This has been a much-anticipated addition to the school system and I am pleased that we are opening this new school on schedule.”
- The Honourable Dale Kirby, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development
Grades one through six students will begin at Octagon Pond Elementary on September 9, with kindergarten students starting on September 12.
Octagon Pond Elementary can accommodate approximately 700 students and enrolment for this September is 464. The school includes 36 classrooms, a gymnasium, a stage, a learning resource centre, two music rooms, a lunch/multi-purpose room, a commercial kitchen, as well as a play area and soccer field, among other spaces.
The building is designed in accordance with the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building rating system, incorporating new, environmentally-friendly initiatives. Octagon Pond Elementary is equipped with a highly efficient ground sourced terminal heat pump HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), as well as energy efficient lighting.
The total investment in the new school is $22.8 million.
“Improving school infrastructure for students, teachers and staff in communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador is a key priority for this government. This year infrastructure projects being supported by government include an overall investment of $570 million for roads, schools, health care facilities and municipal infrastructure. I extend congratulations to staff and students of the new Octagon Pond Elementary school and best wishes for the 2016-17 school year.”
- The Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Transportation and Works
School enrollment in the area of Octagon Pond Elementary has been steadily growing and the addition of this new school will address capacity and transportation concerns for many parents and families.
“The new Octagon Pond Elementary is a tremendous facility that the entire school community will be proud of. Through an extensive use of natural light, an amazing recreational space, and a bright and welcoming atmosphere, an exceptional learning environment has been created. I would like to thank the Provincial Government for ensuring this project became a reality and providing such a wonderful new school to students of the area.”
- Milton Peach, Chair, Newfoundland and Labrador English School Board
The Provincial Government is committed to building an educational community that fosters safe, caring and inclusive learning environments for all children and youth.
QUICK FACTS
- Octagon Pond Elementary School is ready to open its doors and welcome students for the new school year
- Grades one through six students will begin at Octagon Pond Elementary on September 9, with kindergarten students starting on September 12
- Octagon Pond Elementary can accommodate approximately 700 students and includes 36 classrooms
- The total investment in the new school is $22.8 million
- School enrollment in the area of Octagon Pond Elementary has been steadily growing this new school will address capacity and transportation concerns for many parents and families
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Media contacts:
| Lauren Wiseman Director of Communications Department of Education and Early Childhood Development 729-0048, 691-7668 laurenwiseman@gov.nl.ca |
Blair Medd Director of Communications Department of Transportation and Works 729-3015, 631-8465 blairmedd@gov.nl.ca |
| Ken Morrissey Director of Communications Newfoundland and Labrador English School District 709-758-2371, 730-0798 kenmorrissey@nlesd.ca |
2016 09 08 1:35 p.m.