St Gregory's Primary School officially opened on Wendesday and was the last of the BER buildings in Queanbeyan. Picture: supplied.
QUEANBEYAN’S role in the federal government’s $16.2 billion federal Building the Education Revolution is all but over following the official opening of St Gregory’s new multi-purpose hall on Wednesday.
The project has brought more than $18 million in school infrastructure to the Queanbeyan region, and for the most part, local principals say they’re happy with the results.
Jerrabomberra Public principal Chris Hunter said she was pleased with the standard and practicality of the newly refurbished hall, three new classrooms, two learning support rooms and a new toilet block.
‘‘It’s all gone beautifully. These are facilities that we would not have had and would have had to fight long and hard for,’’ Mrs Hunter said.
‘‘We are more than happy with what we have received. I know all the talk that’s gone on about the costing and those sorts of things, but ultimately the school has been a winner in that we’ve received better facilities that we never would have received,’’ she said.
Queanbeyan East principal Howard Mackinder was also pleased with his new hall, and said it was getting plenty of use.
‘‘It’s certainly a high-standard building and a beautiful function room we get plenty of use out of. There’s not a day goes by when it’s not being used,’’ he said. ‘‘We’ve never had it so good really, as far as indoor facilities go. The reality is that when you’ve got a school function like education week or presentation day, you’ve got a top quality venue for your parents and the kids to showcase their educational work. ‘‘We’re also built into the police emergency plan as well, so if there’s a disaster of any sort on this side of Queanbeyan, it’s where people can go as an emergency centre. Twelve months ago there was nothing like that in this part of Queanbeyan.’’ At Queanbeyan Public School, the results from the schools BER grant have been mixed.
Principal Kim Hawes told The Age she was very pleased with her three new classrooms and new special ed centre, but that the refurbished hall had proved problematic.
‘‘The hall I have to say I’m not greatly happy with – I think we haven’t gained much from our refurbished hall,’’ she said.