OUT WITH THE OLD: Anson Street School stand-in principal Russell Webb can’t wait to replace these old demountable classrooms with new, state-of-the-art facilities. Photo: STEVE GOSCH 0830sganson1
Students at Anson Street School will be the big winners after major infrastructure upgrades were announced yesterday.
The school will share in $80 million under the Building the Education Revolution initiative. Because the project was going to tender, the full amount was not released.
“We’re talking about some serious money for this project. It’s a multi-million dollar build,” member for Orange Andrew Gee said.
Upgrades include additional classrooms, practical activities areas, amenities, a special programs area and additional learning and storage facilities.
“The school, the parents, the teachers and, most of all, the students are absolutely thrilled,” Anson Street School stand-in principal Russell Webb said.
“Ultimately, it will benefit the kids.
“They’re a great group of people and these upgrades will allow them the best possible learning facilities.”
Mr Webb said the majority of funding would go towards replacing current school buildings.
“At the moment we’ve got three demountable classrooms that will be replaced by four permanent buildings,” he said.
“We’ve had the demountable classrooms for more than 20 years so it’s been a long-time coming.”
Mr Gee joined the celebrations with Mr Webb.
He believes it is not just the school that will benefit.
“Anson Street School caters for students with some of the most complex learning needs at some of NSW’s special schools,” Mr Gee said.
“This is also great news for jobs too as local and regional construction businesses will benefit from this work.”
Mr Webb said construction would begin at the start of 2013 and expected work to be finished in time for 2014 school year.
luke.schuyler@ruralpress.com