The new public primary school and early childhood education and care in Strathnairn is a step closer with the signing of a construction contract this week with the Head Contractor for the project.
Icon SI were engaged in July 2023 to undertake the Head Contractor detailed design phase for the school, which is now complete.
Icon will work with their nominated design team, CK Architecture, to complete the final designs and oversee and manage the construction process.
The new public school will cater for 130 ECEC places and 780 students from preschool to year 6 to accommodate the growing population of families in the Ginninderry region.
The school will provide general and specialist learning environments, both indoor and outdoor learning areas and integrated spaces to support students with specialised needs.
"This is an exciting and important milestone. The new school in Ginninderry will foster strong connections with both the local community, but also the nearby natural environment," Minister for Education and Youth Affairs Yvette Berry said.
"In line with the ACT Government's commitment to act on climate change, the school will be 100% electric in its operations. The buildings will use sustainable materials, air permeability membranes, and include a solar power generation system when operational."
The school will have a 3,900sqm playing field – approximately the size of a junior football pitch, an 860sqm kick about space, and an 850sqm combined basketball/netball court.
The primary school will also have a playground, nature play area, sensory courtyard with equipment, handball court, additional informal outdoor play areas, as well as quiet zones. There will also be a separate playground for the preschool.
The ECEC will have four play spaces – two with equipment and two with nature play.
Facilities will be available for community hire and these will be positioned for easy access. Facilities will include a single gymnasium with basketball, netball, futsal and volleyball markings, hard court suitable for basketball and netball, kickabout spaces for ball sports and external play equipment.
"I know the Ginninderry community is as excited to see this school construction get underway, as I am," Minister Berry said.
"I can't wait to see this new school open its door to students for the first time in 2026."
