JINDABYNE students have welcomed in their new school year in early February by attending a brand-new school and experiencing some of the best educational facilities in NSW.
The $160 million state-of-the-art Jindabyne Education Campus, which includes the new Jindabyne Public School and Jindabyne High School was officially opened by Member for Monaro Steve Whan and a host of dignitaries in February.
The new Jindabyne Public School has capacity for more than 400 students and features 20 new classrooms, two support classrooms, expanded outdoor play space, a multi-purpose hall with multimedia facilities, an outdoor basketball court and sports field, a purpose-built playground, functional garden spaces and a new library.
At Jindabyne High School, students will be taught in 26 new classrooms, dedicated support learning classrooms and amenities, a commercial kitchen designed for VET hospitality programs, workshops for metalwork, woodwork and construction, a modern, fully-equipped school gym with a full-size basketball court, outdoor spaces and sports areas with an amphitheatre, a grassed play space, multi-purpose sports courts, a football field, and a library.
The high school, which has capacity for 500 students, also features specialised agricultural facilities to support students studying agricultural subjects including the VET-based subject of Primary Industries.
In a grand opening ceremony attended by all students, Member for Monaro Steve Whan along with high school principal Kelly Henretty and public school principal Steve McAlister were all just as excited for the opening day as were the students.
Mr Whan said it is an amazing site, has capacity to grow and was impressed by the outlook of the school.
““The exceptional facilities and opportunities available at the campus will prepare students for an exciting future, whether they are pursuing further education or a skills pathway into a career. I’m feeling pretty emotional about it, because I was also at the first day at the central school, I opened the new facilities at the central school when I was last a member,” said Mr Whan.
“The principals and teachers at the Jindabyne Education Campus are so dedicated to their work and I am thrilled they have these new facilities available for the new school year.”
High School Principal Kelly Henretty said the staff have been waiting for this moment and are so excited to be working in their new spaces.
“I’ve worked throughout NSW and it’s the best school that I’ve ever worked at with regards to the site, its phenomenal,” said Ms Henretty.
Public school principal Steve McAlister welcomed students and mingled with the new kindergarten kids and families arriving for their first day.
“Our state-of-the-art school is designed with each child’s success in mind, and we are excited by the opportunities that lie ahead,” said Mr McAlister.
Parents dripping off their children on opening day were just as complimentary on the new premises, and all saying their kids were all very excited for their new school.
Monique and Joe Driessens dropped off their twins Aislynn and sister Roxie with Monique stating “the new facilities are so grand”. She compared their household on the morning as like Christmas morning for the twins. “They were awake very early with a lot of excitement,” said Monique.
Luke Seget arrived with his sons, nine year old George in year 4, and six year old Harry 6 starting year 2.
“It’s a great facility, I think the opportunities for kids to do all the extra curriculum stuff is just unreal, classrooms are top of the line, it’s a really good facility, a great place to be,” said Luke.
Commenting on his kids, he said, “they’re pumped”.
“I did a bit of the plumbing here for the school over the last two years so they’re telling all their buddies I put all the dunnies in, and the bubblers in, all the important stuff.”
Kindergarten kids arrived for their first day where parents were able to mingle to acclimatise their kids to the new surrounds.
Sonny Hall was all smiles as he played, accompanied by parents Skye and Ian Hall.
When asked how it was for the parents, as well as the kids, Skye said, “it’s my second child so it was a little bit easier than the first one, still nerve wracking but he’s settled in really well”.
“He went to pre school with a big group of kids and they were all looking forward to it,” said Skye.
The road works around the new school precinct has created some confusion, with access driving from the Leesville side to the school. Residents arriving from the south are not able to make a right turn into the school, having to continue further down to the Barry Way roundabout on Kosciuszko Road and then retrace their steps.
The Barry Way road works at the school are likely to continue for up to another year.
