The Learning Centre

Story appeared in the 2013 issue of QMS Connections Magazine.

BY LEANNE SCHULTZ, OPERATIONS & HR MANAGER

The newest jewel in the Queen Margaret’s School crown will be The Learning Centre (TLC), scheduled to open its doors the fall of 2013.

The new home of the Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7 girls and Grade 7/8 boys classrooms, the TLC will not just be walls and roofs to house students and teachers—it will be an environment for learning that will captivate the imagination of the students and actively encourage exploration and growth. Large classrooms, high ceilings, and an abundance of natural light will stimulate learning for students, who will now be able to showcase their achievements to wider audiences in the community in a welcoming environment.

In addition to classroom spaces, the TLC will host the school’s newest library — the new Learning Commons. The design and location of the TLC Learning Commons express the centrality of its role in the school. In addition to housing a rich collection of books and other research materials, it will be a central gathering place for the school: performance, assemblies, Parent Association meetings, Board meetings, and faculty and staff events will be hosted in this bright and airy space.

Wyatt Youland, Grady Robson, Shauna Johel, and Kathryn McIntyre investigate the site of their future classrooms

With the construction of the TLC, Queen Margaret’s School is demonstrating its commitment to following best practices in Middle Years education. Large classrooms, closely situated to the new Learning Com-mons, are designed to support project based learning and cross-curicular approaches. So when Mr. Smith and his Grade 7/8 study their Ancient Civilizations unit, they can quickly access books and other re-search materials through the library and use the integrated wireless technology to complete their speeches and reports on their laptops. Break-out spaces featured throughout the new building will provide areas to collaborate in small groups and create posters and other projects. Access to online collaborative tools and the open performance area in the Learning Commons will then allow the students to present their learning to not only their classmates, but publish and perform in front of a wider audience.

With the construction of the new TLC, Queen Margaret’s School is continuing its tradition of excellence and innovation that has characterized the school’s rich academic history for more than 90 years.