Classes are underway at the Beachcombers Community School’s newly renovated schoolhouse in Fanny Bay.
“Students and staff are thrilled,” said principal Wendy Preston. “With natural building materials and beautiful ocean views from every classroom, this is a charming and lovely environment for our students. We are all very happy.”
The schoolhouse was renovated using healthy and “green” options.
Beachcombers Education Society president Zoe Lambert spent several years informally researching green building products.
“Our solid wood floors are finished with one of the world’s top eco-floor finishes that is recommended by the burgeoning green building movement,” she said. “We have used zero-VOC paints and 70 per cent recycled insulation.”
The school also has a state-of-the-art air exchange system which continually pumps preheated fresh air into the classrooms.
“Poor indoor air quality has been identified as one of the top health hazards of our time,” said Lambert. “We have put special attention into ensuring a healthy environment for our school, both in terms of our physical building and in terms of creating a respectful and emotionally healthy environment for our students.”
Beachcombers offers a Montessori-style academic program with an emphasis on coastal science and peace-building.
“Small class sizes is an ideal that we are committed to,” said Preston. “Our class sizes for next school year will be 12 to 14 students. This allows teachers to give individualized attention to each student.”
The school offers kindergarten to Grade 7 education. Next September will begin the inaugural year for Beachcombers Montessori Pre-school.
Beachcombers is hosting an open house May 16 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Staff will be onsite to answer any questions.
The new location is opposite the Fanny Bay government wharf, on the corner of the South Island Highway and Station Road.
For more information, visit www.BeachcombersSchool.ca.
— Beachcombers Community School