For Cheryle Ryan, School Business Manager of St Joseph’s College Echuca, a smart investment benefits student learning, enhances school aesthetics and makes good financial sense. Her latest decision, two Harwyn modular classrooms for their new junior campus, does all three.
Needing more space – in mere weeks
St Joseph’s College Echuca’s new junior campus, led by esteemed architect firm ClarkeHopkinsClarke, was halfway through completion when Cheryle realised she had an issue. In mere weeks, more than 200 year 7 students were set to enter the school grounds – without enough room to house them.
So, Cheryle got online and started researching. While the typical portable classroom options surfaced, it didn’t take long for Cheryle to realise that this choice didn’t make smart business sense.
“I was looking at a portable of some description… as a leasing proposal,” Cheryle remembers.
“But, to be honest, I crunched the numbers, and being a business manager, I thought, well, that’s not good value for money. Because at the end of so many years, the building gets picked up and taken away.”
For both Cheryle and their Principal, Anne Marie Cairns, having a classroom they could keep was essential – and something that Harwyn offered.
Finding the perfect fit
Luckily, Cheryle had already heard of Harwyn. She’d also heard of their work through the school network. So, when they reappeared in her search, the conversation began.
“Our Principal spoke highly of Harwyn,” Cheryle says.
“She had seen Harwyn’s website, and we really loved the look of their projects. We wanted something that would complement our new campus without distracting from it.”
The design of their new campus is expected to elevate the learning environment of St Joseph’s College Echuca, while also fostering a more cohesive, connected school community. It was vital that the two new classrooms did the same – seamlessly slotting into their surroundings.
“We were really impressed by what we saw. So, I reached out to Jason – the owner – who I found extremely wonderful to work with,” says Cheryle.
‘What they said is what we got’
While it was the architectural appeal of Harwyn’s work that initially captured Cheryle, after phoning a few schools – who all had Harwyn classrooms – her decision felt clear.
“All the schools spoke highly of Harwyn,” says Cheryle.
“So, while the classrooms looked fantastic, this extra layer of feedback was important, too.”
“It was a financial decision as much as it was aesthetic.”
Harwyn’s ability to meet Cheryle’s tight timeline was a big win, also.
“What they said is what we got. They delivered things when they said they would. From start to finish, everything was exceptional.”
Fit in like a dream
The two Harwyn modular classrooms, which are positioned alongside their new architecturally designed buildings, have been a welcome addition to the build.
“The buildings fit in like a dream,” says Cheryle.
“I was completely impressed with Harwyn because they were coming into a building site, which is always a little touchy… you’ve got builders creating a learning building, and we’re putting Harwyn classrooms right beside them. But Harwyn handled the situation with ease,” says Cheryle.
Best of all? The students and teachers are enjoying the classrooms, too.
“The staff love the colours.”
“It’s all the finer details that make the Harwyn classrooms exceptional.”
Easy to learn in (and install modular classrooms)
The simplicity of installing the modular classrooms surprised Cheryle the most.
“With building projects, even the simplest things can sometimes go amiss. You can have a thousand hiccups where you thought it was going to go well,” says Cheryle.
“But with Harwyn, it was easy. I’ve had a lot of exposure to different companies in my 30-year career… and I can honestly say that Harwyn is a standout.”
Cheryle’s so proud of her two new classrooms that she’s inviting visitors to come check them out, as well.
“Our doors are open to any school leaders who want to see our Harwyn classrooms. Since it’s a large modular classroom – which is not something we have in our regional area – we’re happy for you to pop by and see it for yourself,” says Cheryle.