GRANT High School will undergo a major redevelopment after receiving $7m from the State Government to improve its existing facilities and help transition Year 7’s into high school.
The project will include a new building to replace the performing arts and canteen area, which will include additional home rooms and learning areas.
The existing weights room will be transformed into a science laboratory and an under utilised outdoor learning area will be the home of the relocated weights room.
Old relocatable classrooms will be removed and major landscaping and paving works are also planned as part of the upgrade.
The plan is currently being deliberated by the state’s assessment panel and the project is expected to go to tender early next year.
Construction is expected to begin in June 2020.
Principal Fleur Roachock said the allocated funds would help the facility prepare for the effective student transition from primary to secondary schools.
“Our school is at capacity at the moment and we are struggling to fit all the people in who want to come,” she said.
“It is a great problem to have, but in order for Year 7’s to come here in 2022, we need to make sure we do a bit of a stock take on what we have and what we need.”
Ms Roachock said the new performing arts centre could include several new music rooms and a recording studio.
“We will add sound proofing as well to make practicing easier,” she said.
“There will also be a new drama and arts space and three new classrooms, as well as another science lab as we are at capacity with those as well.”
Ms Roachock said students looked forward to bigger and more open spaces.
“This will be beneficial for our school assembles and all different sectors of the school will be able to have their own particular space for meetings, class and more,” she said.
“We are doing some things differently so it is nice to have to facilities to match that.”
Ms Roachock said the school’s next step would be to secure funding for a new gymnasium.
“If we are able to accumulate a certain amount of money, we will be able to progress with that as well,”she said.
Grant High is one of 13 schools across the state being upgraded as part oft he State Government’s $1.3b investment in capital works.
Mount Gambier High School was also successful in receiving government funding for upgrades.
Education Minister John Gardner said the concept designs reflected the local priorities of each school.
