Surfside Primary hails new upgrades

PUPILS and staff at Surfside Primary School are enjoying the extensive $1.486 million improvements to their facilities.

Bellarine MP Lisa Neville visited the school in Ocean Grove last week to officially open the classroom upgrades and new sensory garden.

The works, supported by the state government’s Inclusive Schools Fund, include an upgrade and refurbishment of 10 classrooms, designed to allow neighbouring rooms to interact and forming a more collaborative modern learning environment.

There were also upgrades to the school’s library, administration area and pupil toilets.

Design work was completed by Sibling Architecture and carried out by Rendine Construction.

Outdoors, a sensory garden has been established, making play areas more inclusive for all students of all abilities.

The garden was designed by Architecture P/L and installed by Searle Brothers.

Surfside Primary School principal Peter Walsh said the upgrades were considerable.

“It’s flooring, acoustics of the room, painting … it’s bringing life back to the areas and making them more vibrant learning environments for our students.

“The sensory garden is for students around ‘brain break’ time and for extra movement, allowing them to regulate and get ready for learning.”

The Inclusive Schools Fund promotes small infrastructure projects that make a big difference to meeting the educational social needs of all children, including those with disabilities and additional needs by promoting inclusive and innovative practices in schools.

“Surfside Primary is a great school led by principal Peter Walsh and I congratulate the entire school community for their work in achieving this important upgrade,” Ms Neville said.

“Modernisation of the classrooms will ensure all students at Surfside Primary will continue to receive a first-class education in the first-class facilities they so deserve.

“The Sensory Garden is a wonderful and important addition to the school, enabling students of all abilities to enjoy even more their outdoor play areas.”

The state government says it has invested more than $10.9 billion in building new schools and more than 1,700 school upgrades over the past seven years, creating about 13,500 jobs in construction and associated industries.