Toilet Blocks Refurbishment

Thursday, 19th October 2023 at 7:30am

We’re getting underway with the refurbishment of four toilet blocks ...

And as we’ve noticed quite a bit of media interest in this topic recently, we wanted to update you on our thinking:

Firstly, our bathroom facilities are nearly 50 years old. They definitely need a makeover.

There are a couple of important aspects we have considered in developing new facilities:

One is that these older-style toilet blocks often become a place where students gather to socialise, and sometimes to vape or to vandalise the premises. Modern bathroom facilities are designed to help discourage this.

The other is around privacy. We think it goes without saying that everyone should be able to use the toilet without being concerned about personal privacy or safety.

• We have followed Ministry of Education guidelines and taken advice to create designs:
• Modern designs and materials, better use of space to discourage gathering
• Private toilet cubicles with higher walls and more space
• Visibility into the communal cloakroom and handwashing spaces
• Excellent LED lighting throughout the space
• Vape detection alarms - as the health impacts of vaping continues to be a concern for our community

For many years Green Bay High School has had a system of CCTV cameras throughout the school, designed to support staff in keeping students and property safe, and to help resolve incidents when they occur. We intend to include a camera that will take in the communal and hand washing areas. Our systems and policies protect privacy for students, and in practice the footage is only reviewed on an as-needed basis, for example to assist an investigation if something has happened in the area.

Finally, there are times when students need extra support and a quiet space when there is a lot going on - and there are much better places than the toilet to go to when time out or support is needed. Our well-being centre is a supportive place to go, it is a welcoming environment and is always supervised by one of our guidance team. Students can also go to our student reception area with any concerns, at any time of the day, where they will be looked after.

The well-being and safety of all of our students is paramount. Feel free to contact us if you have any feedback or suggestions.