Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery today officially opened new classroom buildings at Gingin District High School after a fire damaged the school in 2019.
The $2.2 million rebuilding works included the refurbishment of two fire-damaged buildings, demolition of one damaged building, construction of a new building with two classrooms, a toilet refurbishment and soft landscaping.
The new buildings provide modern facilities for students at the school to learn in, with the new rooms to be used as multi-purpose classrooms, including for STEM lessons and student interactions with other schools through web conferencing.
Hart Architects was the lead consultant for the works, which were carried out in two stages. Stage one, completed in June 2021, involved the restoration of the fire-affected buildings, including four classrooms.
Stage two included the construction of a new building, which was completed this year, including two classrooms, toilets, storerooms and covered walkways.
A small piece of the fire-damaged classrooms has been retained through the original wooden school lettering that was saved and is now displayed on the outside of the school at the Daw Street entrance.
As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
“It’s wonderful to be here today to officially open these modern classrooms for Gingin District High School students to learn and thrive in.
“The buildings that were damaged by fire in 2019 were the original classrooms from when the school first opened in 1964. Many local people were educated in those buildings, so the loss to the community was significant.
“However, there is still a nod to the original classrooms and their history on site, with the wooden school lettering saved from the fire and displayed on the outside of the school.”
As stated by Agricultural Region MLC Sandra Carr:
“It’s fantastic to see the rebuilt and new facilities completed, and the Gingin District High School staff and community continuing their great work educating and supporting local students in the modern classrooms.
“Many of the school’s former students would have felt a sense of loss following the fire, so it is fitting to see that a piece of the former classrooms has been preserved in memory of lessons, experiences and friendships past.”
