New era marked by sod turning at Esperance, Grylls

Author: Brendon Grylls
Published on: 17-November-2011

Construction of the new Esperance Primary School will begin within months, following today’s official sod-turning ceremony by Education Minister Liz Constable.

The new primary school, scheduled for completion by February 2013, will replace the original buildings and create new recreation spaces for more than 500 students.

Dr Constable said the replacement school would include 12 classrooms with air-cooling; an early childhood block with a kindergarten classroom; two pre-primary classrooms; and two general classrooms.

“It will also feature a covered area with a canteen and stores; oval; cricket nets; hard-courts; and parking, as well as an administration block with dental therapy,” she said.

“The new school will be designed with 21st century teaching principles in mind and its modern structure reflect the local environment.”

The Minister said construction would take place while students continued to use the existing facilities.

“Keeping the students on site will minimise disruption to schooling,” she said.

“Works will also occur during the school holidays to ensure asbestos removal does not impact on students and staff.”

Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls said the project had been funded through the State Government’s Royalties for Regions program in the 2011-12 State Budget.

“The building of the new school is coming at an ideal time when the entire community of Esperance is poised for a period of great prosperity following its designation as a Super Town under the Royalties for Regions program,” Mr Grylls said.

“As an Independent Public School, Esperance Primary School has done a lot of work in establishing its own vision and making the necessary decisions to achieve it.

“The local community has driven this initiative from the beginning and deserves to be congratulated for its commitment and perseverance in seeing this wonderful investment come to fruition.”