Jerrabomberra High School student tour

Release date: 08 December 2023

A group of students recently had the opportunity to visit Jerrabomberra High School (JHS) and learn about the construction process through a dynamic tour of the site. This visit was made possible through a collaboration between School Infrastructure NSW, Hindmarsh Construction Australia, and the school.  Approximately 150 students participated in the event, making it a memorable and educational experience for all involved. 

“The site visit took something which was quite abstract to students, with the school being ‘that building up on the hill’ to them actually seeing something they were able to walk through and experience. It also opened conversations around pathways for females in construction and engineering and showed the many businesses involved in the overall construction industry.”

- Scott O’Hara, Principal, Jerrabomberra High School

Engaging activities for future builders

The day kicked off with hands-on activities designed to inspire and educate students about the intricacies of construction:

• Engineering fundamentals: Students faced the challenge of constructing Spaghetti Towers using uncooked pasta and marshmallows. This hands-on activity encouraged teamwork and creative problem-solving as they aimed to build the tallest, self-supporting tower within a given time frame.

• Construction programming: A fascinating pre-recorded video showcased the project workflow using Building Information Modelling (BIM). This virtual tour dissected the structure of the buildings leaving the students captivated by the seamless integration of various services to form the final building.

• Material and tools quiz: A digital quiz on Kahoot introduced students to a variety of materials and tools utilised in the JHS project. Each group received a bag containing materials corresponding to the quiz, offering a hands-on connection to the construction materials used on site.

• Site safety, quality and environmental awareness: Emphasising the importance of safety, quality, and environmental considerations in construction, students participated in a hammering exercise. This activity reinforced the idea that completing tasks promptly should never compromise safety or quality. Students also experienced the significance of wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during construction activities.

Stage 1 of the new high school will boast 24 flexible learning spaces including a state-of-the-art multi-purpose hall, library, sports courts and covered outdoor learning area. We can’t wait for the local community to experience all the benefits of Jerrabomberra High School’s teaching and learning facilities.