Yandina State School Principal Wayne Torrens is clearly a happy man. He's 'thrilled' with what has happened, he said.
Wayne was referring to the school's new $2.12 million library, computer lab, science learning area, and IT resources provided under the Primary Schools for the 21st Century (P21) and National School Pride (NSP) components of the Australian Government's $16.2 billion Building the Education (BER) program.
"We've now got what we were dreaming for - and a lot more. It's allowed us to achieve a vision that we've had for the school for a number of years," he said.
Located in the hinterland of Queensland's Sunshine Coast, the 120-year-old Yandina State School takes the prize for having the first completed P21-funded facilities in Australia.
Part of the Australian Government's Nation Building - Economic Stimulus Plan, BER is supporting and creating local employment while delivering contemporary education facilities.
"Building the Education Revolution has really been a revolution for us. We have gone from having ordinary resources and facilities to having the resources needed for the delivery of 21st Century education," Wayne said.
"The new facilities, complete with new computers, smart boards and data projectors means improved learning and teaching for our 260 students.
"The increased access to IT will help our students control their own learning and allow them engage them in contemporary learning practices," he said.
Yandina's P&C Committee President, Lisa Connolly said the new facilities are 'totally amazing'.
"We had plenty of opportunities to see the plans but I hadn't realised how extensive they would be until I actually walked through the buildings.
"The new library is a really comfortable environment for children, something which will encourage students to spend more time there reading and using the computers," she said.
Wayne said community access to the new facilities was an important part of the project.
"We are now looking at how the local community can best access our new facilities. This could include local high school students using the internet facilities after school hours to do their home work and making the computer lab available for community adult education courses."
Construction of the facilities was completed ahead of schedule and Wayne praised the efforts of local construction firm, Evans Harch Pty Ltd of Maroochydore.
"They have been fabulous, meeting with us on a weekly basis, and seeking our feedback to ensure we were satisfied with what they were doing," he said.
Evans Harch's BER Manager, Barry Lehman said the company had welcomed the opportunity to design and construct the facilities at Yandina State School.
He praised the Building the Education Revolution program, saying it had saved the construction jobs of local workers.
"Ninety per cent of the sub-contractors that worked on the construction of Yandina State School are based on the Sunshine Coast.
"Quite simply, BER has helped to keep construction money local, allowed us to continue training local apprentices, and kept people employed.
"Due to BER, Evans Harch has also employed management staff, several new foreman and leading hand carpenters," Barry said.
The Queensland Government's Department of Education and Training is implementing the Building the Education Revolution in Queensland's state schools on behalf of the Australian Government.
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