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World leading AV technology with potential to start a “revolution” in Australian schools

When school’s in, there are always good lessons to be learnt.

World leading AV technology with potential to start a “revolution” in Australian schools
Business unit , Hills Sound Vision and Lighting

Like a star pupil, Crestron Australia and New Zealand worked diligently the minute it was involved in the provision and installation of audiovisual equipment as part of a new multi-purpose hall/gym at a western suburb school in Sydney.

While the project wasn’t the largest Crestron had been involved in, the lessons learnt were invaluable and highlighted the many beneﬁts to be gained from close collaboration between the school, architects and an audiovisual equipment provider from the outset.

And in what is assured to be greeted as “great news” for many school principals, this project looks set to be the beginning of a technological revolution for dozens of schools across Australia.

This is because Crestron’s world-leading technology – until recently only really affordable by the “big” private schools and major universities – is now available at a price that ﬁts most school construction/equipment budgets.

Richard Johnson Anglican School, located in Oakhurst, New South Wales, is a perfect case study.

Under the Federal Government’s Building Education Revolution (BER) program, the school received funding to build a multi-purpose hall/gym.

As part of the design brief, School Principal Paul Cockrem requested the building have a high quality audiovisual system that catered for the campus’s basic needs like student assemblies right through to advanced usage for events including school musicals and plays.

He also wanted a system that could accommodate future expansion requirements.

Enter electronics supply and installation business, Intouch Electronics and its owner, Shane Zammit.

“The school was very hands on with the planning of the building, meeting with the builders, architects, and other suppliers,” Mr Zammit says.

“We had done some work for the school previously, and the Principal was keen to get our input into the project as early as possible.

“Being directly involved with the Principal and Maintenance Manager was the key to a great outcome because usually as a contractor you only deal with the builder, and any suggestions or ideas you have get lost in transmission.

“Through talking with the school decision makers directly, I was able to design a high quality audiovisual system to meet all of its requirements, as well as explain to them what needed to be done in the building’s design and construction phase to ensure a seamless installation outcome.

“The end result is a state-of-the-art integrated system that is simple to use.”

Crestron’s NSW System Design and Sales Manager, Mr Ali Hamad, also believes that the school would not have such a sophisticated audiovisual system had Intouch Electronics not been involved in the initial planning.

“More often than not, the installation of an AV system – and the requirements that go with it like pre-wiring – are usually among the last things that architects and builders take into account with projects such as this,” Mr Hamad explains.

“This project is testament to what can be achieved when the time is taken to involve the AV installer in initial planning meetings,” he says.

“The end result is a cutting-edge integrated audio visual solution that is also linked up to the hall lighting.

“It’s one of the best school projects of its type that Crestron has been involved with – we’re delighted with the ﬁnal outcome.”

Mr Hamad says the school’s integrated audiovisual package has the versatility to accommodate anything from providing a wireless microphone and speakers for a school assembly, to viewing a Powerpoint presentation or digital slide show by a visiting lecturer or guest speaker via two large HD screens, or ﬁlming a school musical or formal presentation utilising a HD digital camera.

The system also came with a “bio-box” – which allows users to control the AV package from two separate areas within the multi-purpose hall.

Principal Paul Cockrem is delighted with the ﬁnal outcome.

“The consultation with Intouch Electronics and Hills SVL was most successful,” Mr Cockrem says.

“The whole process from planning, tendering, installing, including collaboration with the builders, and training staff has been undertaken with a high degree of professionalism, responsiveness and ﬂexibility,”he adds.

“Intouch Electronics has proven to be a capable and diligent provider. Our needs were evaluated sincerely and the advice given enabled us to modify our initial expectations and to adequately plan and prepare for future expansion as well.

“The current system sounds very good and operates quite well.”

Shane Zammit was also high in praise of Creston’s involvement in the Richard Johnson School project.

“I felt the company was with me all the way through the project, from the very start to the very end,” he says.

“Its staff helped me with on-site demonstrations of the AV equipment, and its customer service and support is always excellent.

“Crestron’s equipment is also of the highest quality. That is why I used them for this speciﬁc project – and will continue to use them in the future.”

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