Murray Bridge North School prepares for $5 million upgrade
As the primary school’s last year 7s depart, major works are planned – see the concept pictures.
Murray Bridge North School will get new play spaces and refurbished classrooms as part of a $5 million upgrade in 2022.
State Education Minister John Gardner has released the first concept images of the works, which are scheduled to begin in February.
Walls dating back to the 1970s will be knocked out of the school’s reception and year 1 building, restoring its heritage look, letting more light into the remaining classrooms and allowing an outdoor learning area to be built in the middle.
A new enclosed play space will be created between buildings which currently house year 1 and 2 students, and new toilets – including disabled toilets – will be built nearby.
Landscaping work will also be undertaken throughout the school, including improvements to its Railway Terrace entrance, and its old demountable music classrooms will be removed.
It all became possible with the coming departure of the school’s year 7 students, which will free up a lot of space, allowing the remaining students to shuffle around while the work is completed.
Principal James Parkin said the children would ultimately benefit from more modern facilities.
“We’re over-supplied with learning spaces, and some of them are very tired,” he said.
Mr Gardner said the state government wanted better educational opportunities for all school students.
“I look forward to seeing these upgrades at Murray Bridge North School come to life and enjoyed by students for generations to come,” he said.
The state government originally announced its intention to invest in North School way back in 2017, as part of its Building Better Schools Program.
The final plans were developed over the past year through several meetings between the architects, the education department, school staff and other community members.
The works are expected to be finished in October 2022.
Disclosure: The author is a member of the school’s governing council, and his daughter is a student there.
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