New Moorak Preschool craned into place

CRANED INTO PLACE: Moorak Primary School Principal Peter Mitchinson and Preschool Teacher Lauren Baudinette were on site to see the new Moorak Preschool buildings put in place this week..

A NEW preschool building at Moorak Primary School was craned into place this week as part of a $1.8 million project funded by the SA Government.

Pre-fabricated in Adelaide, the six modules making up the new pre-school arrived on semi-trailers and were individually craned into place and joined together to create the new building.

The process was watched with excited anticipation by Moorak Primary School Principal Peter Mitchinson and preschool teacher, Lauren Baudinette along with several community members keen to see the major transformation take place.

For Mr Mitchinson it was the final stage of nearly five years of work that was prompted by growing numbers at the preschool.

“We were going to extend the old one but instead of spending money on refurbishing the old one which could become over-crowded again very quickly, we decided it would be more effective to get a new one that will see the preschool through the long term,” said Mr Mitchinson.

“This is a creation of the community – the culmination of lots of hard work from many members of the school community, and the Department for Education.”

Mr Mitchinson said the architect visited the school and spoke with children to help develop the preschool’s design.

The pre-school is located on a site that was occupied by a house originally built to accommodate the adjoining primary school’s Head Master but it had been unused for some time.

Mr Mitchinson said the removal of the old house and using the site for the new pre-school ensured that the primary school’s oval was retained in its entirety, and the creation of a playground and other outside areas around the preschool is also part of the project.

Preschool teacher, Lauren Baudinette said 18 children were expected to begin their schooling life at the new preschool this year and the building would be able to cater for the future with a capacity for 33 children.

“The new building will provide increased educational opportunities for the children,” said Ms Baudinette.

“We’re looking forward to being in it.”