Fertile soil for teaching and learning

GETTING THE FOUNDATIONS RIGHT

Principal Priolo and Deputy Principal Mark Hodgson on site at the new Riverbanks College.

Playford News sat down with Principal Joe Priolo to talk about the new school currently being built by Sarah Constructions on a former market garden site in Angle Vale. We wanted to know what the new Riverbanks College will offer students, families and the Playford community.

“I see Riverbanks College as part of a world class education system with a strong literacy foundation that will focus on every student, in every class, every day,” Principal Priolo tells us. “The biggest influence on the success of each young person is going to be about the quality of teaching and learning. And the fantastic facilities and surroundings are just going to maximise those opportunities.”

The school motto is ‘A thriving inclusive community’ and Riverbanks College will be one of the first schools to be a true community hub. The City of Playford has partnered with the State Government to allow community access to school facilities such as sporting ovals, and gymnasium which will be open for community use by groups and for public events. Riverbanks College will become a pivotal community hub and Principal Priolo says he is looking forward to building those connections between the school and Playford’s diverse local community.

The students will enjoy all new play areas that will look a little different to a traditional school, with less focus on play equipment and more on nature play and connection. ‘Learning neighbourhoods’ will be established so students in education units, early years, and primary buildings are close together and enjoying shared play spaces and gathering areas.

The middle and senior schools will also be adjacent each other, with plenty of shaded break-out areas to take advantage of sports facilities such as soccer, football, netball, and gymnasium.

As Playford’s rapid population growth is expected to continue, Riverbanks College (which will grow to a capacity of 1,675) will take off some of the enrolment pressure on local public and private schools, and Principal Priolo says he is working closely with the schools in the shared zone to ensure enrolment objectives are met.

Stay tuned for the Riverbanks College Community Open Day in late 2021. For further information visit education.sa.gov.au or follow Riverbanks College on Facebook.