Page 185 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 26 February 2014
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Seven new modular relocatable classrooms were assembled at Duffy Primary School and will support the enrolment growth in the Weston Creek area, as well as students moving into the Molonglo district. These classrooms have the look and feel of permanent classrooms. However, they can be relocated to another school should enrolments at Duffy Primary School decrease at a later time. The classrooms were manufactured off-site, which meant that any disruption to the school was minimised.
School upgrades were also completed at Hughes and Yarralumla primary schools, which now provide 21st century learning spaces for students at those schools. I had the pleasure of visiting Yarralumla Primary School on Friday and was impressed by the changes and the new learning environment for students there. Several other significant projects at ACT public schools were also completed for the start of this school year. They include a new hospitality trade training facility and cafe at Erindale College, a new library and classroom at Malkara special needs school, car park expansions and traffic improvements at Weetangera and Curtin, and painting and carpeting work at Turner, at Alfred Deakin and Calwell high schools and at Arawang, Gordon, Macquarie and Richardson primary schools.
Overall, the investment by ACT Labor in the recently completed works was around $35 million, which has been money well spent, creating vibrant and up-to-date learning spaces for our students.
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Gentleman.
MR GENTLEMAN: Minister, how will the expanded on-site childcare at Taylor Primary School assist residents of Kambah and Tuggeranong?
MS BURCH: The newly rebuilt Taylor childcare and education centre is located within the grounds of the Taylor Primary School. The centre has increased enrolment capacity—up from its original 23 places to 65 places, giving more Kambah and Tuggeranong families and children the opportunity to benefit from the centre’s program. The service provides education and care for children aged six weeks to five years. The new facility has been designed and constructed in line with the national regulations and national quality standard with a vision of providing children with an engaging multi-purpose environment.
The spacious new outdoor playgrounds have been designed to provide opportunities for children to engage in physical challenge in a natural environment. I am pleased that the rebuilding process has incorporated innovative sustainability ideas such as recycling centres into everyday play space. Environmental awareness and sustainability will be a feature of the educational program. This new facility will also importantly provide some warm and comfortable meeting areas for families and educators. Also, I am actually very keen to do everything possible to bring our local community organisations into school. That particular site is managed by Communities@Work, which has a long and proud reputation of serving the people of Tuggeranong well.
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Ms Porter.
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