Released 06/08/2018
Today I visited Amaroo School and took a tour of the modern expanded gymnasium and new learning spaces, catering for an additional 300 students in one of Australia’s fasting growing regions.
A little over a year ago, I turned the first sod for the new teaching and learning spaces and to double the size of the gymnasium. It was great to re-visit the school with my colleagues to see how the new facilities have been supporting students’ education.
The dynamic new classrooms for years 7-10, expanded indoor sports facility, health learning space and purpose-built dance studio have been utilised by teachers and students since early this year, while local sports and community groups have also benefitted from using the space as a hub for community activities.
This $13.1 million project is one of many of the government’s strong investment in ACT public schools, particularly in the Gungahlin region.
The government invested over $24 million in 2017-18 to increase capacity at Neville Bonner Primary School with eight additional learning spaces, Gold Creek Junior School with two additional learning spaces, and an increase in capacity at Harrison School and Palmerston District Primary School to meet enrolment needs. The government also recently committed further funding to provide an additional 500 student places across Amaroo, Gold Creek and Neville Bonner Schools for the start of the 2019 school year.
I am also excited to announce the opening of a new school in North Gungahlin, in the suburb of Taylor, for Term 1 2019. As schools are the centre of our local communities, I asked for the views of local families, teachers, parents of school children, community organisations and the broader Canberra community on the visual identity of Canberra’s newest school. It was important to me to provide an avenue for local families to become connected to the school community well before the start of the new school year in 2019.
Feedback was received through online voting, resident drop-in sessions, emails and social media which helped finalise the different aspects of the school’s identity. The community voted for:
- School Name: Margaret Hendry School
- School Uniform Colours: red / black
- School Logo: The ‘Spots’ school logo
The uniform option has been developed with consideration regarding gender neutrality, ease of manufacture, ease of matching colour and distinctiveness from other Gungahlin schools. The manufacturing and supply of the school uniform will meet the expected standard regarding ethical supply.
I look forward to the first day of the 2019 school year, welcoming new students to all of our schools across the ACT, and particularly the first students at Margaret Hendry School.
For more information on choice of school name, uniform colours and logo, visit YourSay.
- Statement ends -
Yvette Berry, MLA | Media Releases
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