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Innovative Encounter Lutheran College, Victor Harbor South Australia, completed two transformative construction projects in 2024 with the opening of the Wilderness Centre and Lighthouse Early Learning.
The visually stunning buildings, built with the aid of LLL Loans, were officially unveiled and blessed at a ceremony in September, with LLL Chief Relationship Officer Scott and Communications Officer Jason honoured to attend.
Wonderful Wilderness
The Wilderness Centre's four main learning areas are a kitchen, a science lab, an art studio and a digital technology studio, with the design of the cutting-edge building allowing seamless movement between indoor learning spaces and the sprawling fields just outside.
Situated on a beautiful 69-acre block known as Wurar Ruwi, an Indigenous term meaning Land of the Red Gum, the versatile Wilderness Centre has been a game-changer.
"The Wilderness Centre, in and of itself, is wonderful but also because of what it has enabled us to do with that whole block of land," Principal Kelvin Grivell said.
"It has given us access to that land in ways that we didn't have before.
"It's a home base, it's shelter, it's the amenities … it's the nucleus of what's possible in the future.
"Our staff are finding something new almost every week in terms of engaging with the learning spaces, or a new event or activity that they explore and realise with a new group of students.
"As well as being 'plug-and-play' where we can use it for right now, what it's also doing is creating conversations and opportunities for what might be next.
"That's the really wonderful thing … we don't even know what we might be doing in these spaces in three-to-five years' time.
"We get to discover that together."
Landmark Lighthouse
The new Lighthouse Early Learning centre features a bespoke nature playground, along with modern and secure facilities, catering for 55 youngsters between three and four-years-old.
The building's clever design has turned a small wedge of land into a wonderful asset for the school and community.
"We're still pinching ourselves whenever we walk in," Kelvin said two months after the opening.
"Just with how big, contemporary, and functional it is for our staff and our young learners.
"From an early learning perspective, it was transformative overnight.
"It has been a wonderful outcome for us.
"And the façade facing Adelaide Road has meant that awareness and interest in our college has risen, so that has been an added bonus."
One of the most striking features of the state-of-the-art building is the colourful beach huts on the exterior, that are also functional spaces for the children to use on the interior.
Each box has its own colour scheme and number, which hold particular significance:
- 78 - the number of students on the very first day Encounter commenced
- 2001 – Encounter's first year as a school
- 1517 - the year of the Reformation, a year marking the beginning of the Lutheran Church
- 8:12 - a reference to John 8:12, a verse in the Bible declaring 'I am the light of the world'. This is a reminder that we can look to God for light, love and hope throughout our lives.
Visit: www.encounter.sa.edu.au
Photos: Innovative Encounter opened two state-of-the-art buildings in 2024, with the Wildnerness Centre and Lighthouse Early Learning built with the aid of LLL Loans.
