While sun-drenched Queensland is a dream destination for holidaymakers, it presents major challenges for schools seeking to keep students sun-safe – particularly when they have 2,600 children to protect, as Mansfield State High School does. However, thanks to Lysaght’s support, ideas and solutions, this leading and high performing Queensland school continues to provide first-class shelter for students.
Located in Mansfield, a Brisbane suburb 11 kilometres from the city’s CBD, Mansfield State High School is a Co-educational, Independent Public School which has become prominent for its academic performance and was named both Regional Winner and State Finalist for School of The Year in Education Queensland’s 2016 Showcase Awards for Excellence in Schools.
While working hard to nurture students academically, culturally and socially, the school and its dedicated P&C Association also work to ensure the school’s facilities provide a safe, supportive and comfortable learning environment – which in Queensland’s hot climate means providing a multitude of covered areas to shelter students from the sun.
Most recently, over the 2017 Christmas break, the school turned to Lysaght to once again provide smart solutions which met the constraints of both limited space and budget considerations while delivering essential structures.
As Business Manager at Mansfield State High School, Ms Sandy Ebert oversaw the entire process and was extremely impressed with the support and solutions which Lysaght provided in delivering multiple roof structures and also a large deck adjoining the school’s canteen.
“Lysaght have been great in the way they’ve come into the school and we’ve shown them areas that required improvement, such as needing a roof or renewing a covered walkway or an area that’s short of shade, and they’ve come up with a solution for us; they’re very solution-based,” Ms Ebert stated.
“They are also very flexible in creating a solution that works best in a particular scenario while also working within our budget constraints. Also, they walk you through all the complexities of a project in a way that’s easy to understand, and show you examples of other work they’ve completed so you have a better idea of what it will look like.
“Lysaght are very good and have also recommended contractors to do the work and they have been great…really, really nice people. Basically, the Lysaght team have come out and brought the contractor who would complete the work; they’ve measured up, done the pricing and explained every single step of the project – it’s been a very productive relationship that has always resulted in great solutions that meet our needs,” Ms Ebert said.
Lysaght Segment Manager, Marko Lalovic, explained that Lysaght’s goal, as always, was to provide technical advice and support on the project from start to finish, as opposed to being just a material supplier, while delivering products whose aesthetic appearance and spanning capabilities far surpass conventional zinc and galvanised structures.
“After determining the school’s needs we did the initial site visits and site measures, custom designed the structures, co-ordinated material production and materials supply, sourced external material supply, co-ordinated with builders, engineers and installers and also performed final site inspections,” Marko said.
“In terms of the tuckshop deck and its associated covered area, which was provided as a complete LYSAGHT® Kitted Structure, we supplied Orrcon MAXI-TUBE®, LYSAGHT SPANDEK® cladding in the COLORBOND® steel colour Surfmist®, LYSAGHT FIRMLOK® beams in the COLORBOND® steel colour Monument®, plus LYSAGHT COLORSCREEN®* in the COLORBOND® steel colour Monument® to screen the substructure beneath the deck.
“We also supplied LYSAGHT TRIMDEK® cladding and purlins to create a shelter over a stepped seating area for student spectators next to the school’s sporting fields, along with the LYSAGHT TRIMDEK® cladding and LYSAGHT FIRMLOK® beams used to extend a covered area to provide shelter for students waiting for the bus,” Marko concluded. “As always in our work with Mansfield State High, and other schools, it was a pleasure to know we were helping to make students’ lives that much easier.”
In regard to making lives easier, Lysaght’s professionalism also assisted RHM Building Innovations, the contractor on the recent Mansfield State High School projects. With 17 years’ experience designing and constructing commercial, domestic and industrial steel sheds and buildings for clients in South East Queensland, the family-owned company prides itself on using quality 100% Australian BlueScope materials and has worked closely with Lysaght for the past five years.
“Working with the Lysaght team is very good; they’re always accommodating and if there are any issues they’re straight on it,” RHM Building Innovations’ Director, Darren Martin, said. “Marko and his team were involved in initial discussions with the school in customising the solutions, then they liaised with me, we worked together to measure things up and Lysaght supplied everything we required to get the project done in a timely way.
“It’s a very supportive and professional partnership and we’ve never had any problems with Lysaght. You can get product from anyone, but it’s the service and support and attention to your needs that makes the difference.”
*LYSAGHT COLORSCREEN® is not available in all areas.