NSW premier Mike Baird was on hand on Wednesday to catapult Anson Street School into the 21st century, officially opening the school’s new facilities.
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Having “made-do” with several demountable classrooms for several years, Anson Street School now has four new classrooms, toilets, covered walkways, redeveloped playgrounds and upgraded gardens.
The school’s sporting oval has also been refurbished, and a bike track added as part of the federally funded, $2.8 million dollar project.
Mr Baird, along with federal member for Calare John Cobb and member for Orange Andrew Gee, explained the significance of the project, named after two of the school’s most prominent female stalwarts.
“The new classrooms will be known as the Carolyn Woll buildings, named after the [school’s] highly-respected former principal,” Mr Baird said.
“The refurbished sporting oval and bike track are named after Lady Dorothy Cutler, who worked to establish education facilities for students with special needs in Orange.
“It is fitting that the new facilities are named in honour of two women who had a major influence on education in the Orange area.”
Anson Street School principal Gary Brotherton said the new facilities are “more than just bricks and mortar” to his school’s community, and provide the school with better resources, before conveying his appreciation to all those involved.
“We need to thank everyone who was involved in this project,” Mr Brotherton said.
“On behalf of the school community I wish to thank Mr Baird and his government, along with Mr Cobb and the federal government for their continued commitment to school education.”
Mr Gee spoke of the school’s teachers, and their unwavering dedication, before acknowledging the opportunity this redevelopment affords Anson Street School students.
“The new facilities ... will enhance the school’s reputation for excellence in teaching, and learning,” Mr Gee said.
“The local community recognises the key role the school plays in giving the students the best education opportunities.”
The upgrade was one of 19 similar projects state-wide, worth $94 million in total, along with several other schools for specific purposes (SSPs).
All SSP upgrades were undertaken using residual funds from the commonwealth Building the Education Revolution program.