Acoustics upgrade on the way for Avenel Kinder thanks to Building Blocks Grant

Avenel Kindergarten will receive almost $12,000 as part of the Building Blocks refurbishments and minor works program which will be used to upgrade the acoustics of the facility. 

Avenel was one of five Goulburn Region Preschool Association (GRPSA) services to receive funding, with Colbinabbin Preschool, Murchison Preschool, Undera Kindergarten and Violet Town Kindergarten also getting a boost.

GRPSA Chief Executive Ronni Druitt was thankful for receiving more than $162,000 in grants across the association’s services.

“These grants will enable us to meet the growing needs of our community,” she told local news source The Riverine Herald.

“Fundraising efforts have been challenging during COVID-19 and so these grants will undoubtedly help each of our services prepare for the increase of enrolments in 2022.”

All GRPSA services have also been awarded IT grants from the Building Blocks program. The refurbishments and minor works funding at Avenel will go towards a “safe and sound” project which will see acoustic treatment panels installed on the ceiling to enhance the learning opportunities for children with additional needs including sensory processing difficulties.

Avenel Kinder Service Leader Emma Larsen said the acoustic panels will soak up some of the residual sounds and help stop echoing.

“We find some children, especially those with sensory processing issues, can’t actually hear the instructions being given,” she said.

“Improving acoustics gives them every opportunity to be part of the learning. We expect it will have a significant impact on speech and language.”

The acoustics are the latest in a series of significant improvements to the kinder during the past two years “and we’re really excited to see what happens next,” she added.