The new public school will have space for 400 students, from Reception to Year 6 as well as a 60-place preschool and will support major residential growth in the northern suburbs.

A site has not yet been selected for the school, but planning for the project is underway to ensure equitable access to high quality public education services within Adelaide’s northern suburbs, to meet growing demand from families.

An additional $40 million commitment in this year’s State Budget will target upgrading heating and air conditioning units and other upgrades at a range of public schools across South Australia.

Premier Peter Malinauskas claimed investment in education is high on his Government’s agenda; it transforms lives, he said.

“We are a state that is growing, with enormous opportunity for economic prosperity ahead of us,” Malinauskas said.

“But to maximise this opportunity we need our growing population of families building their homes in communities with high quality schools.

“That’s exactly what this investment in a new school and preschool, along with school upgrades around the state, will deliver.

Malinauskas said the State is undergoing unprecedented growth and the State Government needs to ensure it is ready with schools in new developments ready to go as families with young children move in – not 10 or 20 years in the future.

The Department for Education holds a substantial infrastructure portfolio, with about 5700 buildings at more than 900 public schools, preschools and children centres.

With the average building age in schools being 44 years, the State Government’s 20-year infrastructure plan sets out its priorities to ensure communities have access to what it calls “fantastic local schools”.

The budget commitment sees an extra $10 million per year for the next four years allocated to fast-track priority projects.

Among the schools to benefit will be Henley Beach Primary School, in Adelaide’s west, where more than 300 children will soon have an improved heating and cooling system in their classrooms.

Another project that will benefit from the $10 million commitment is Karcultaby Area School on Eyre Peninsula where the design and technology facilities, currently housed in a shed, will be replaced giving students the opportunity to use modern facilities supporting their career pathways.

Other schools to share in the initial tranche of upgrades include:

  • Banksia Park School R-6
  • Mitcham Girls High School
  • East Torrens Primary School
  • Kilkenny Primary School
  • Hewett Primary School
  • Flagstaff Hill R-7 School
  • Underdale High School
  • Renmark West Primary School
  • Coromandel Valley Primary School
  • Goodwood Primary School

Minister for Education, Training and Skills Blair Boyer said the budget continues the State Government’s record of prioritising education – from the early years, through school, training and university.

“It’s the best way we can ensure economic growth for our state,” Boyer said.