They returned to the classroom last week to find earthworks had begun on the 3.6 hectare site next to the existing school.

On it will be built 10 new classrooms, new entry and administration, arts room, music room, food tech facilities, kitchen veggie garden and landscaped open play areas.

There will also be a new competition grade gymnasium and football oval which will be used by the community after school hours.

The start of the expansion project is the culmination of years of work by principal Dale Power and the school council lobbying for the much-needed redevelopment.

When Mr Power took over as principal nine years ago the school had about 150 pupils but with the rapid expansion of Miners Rest its current enrolment is around 450 and the expanded school is being built for around 500 children.

The school project is also a boost for local jobs, with construction firm H Troon winning the $17.1 million build contract and steel work, windows and other important components being manufactured in Wendouree.

"We can't wait to get in to our new facilities around the middle of 2021," Mr Power said.

"Students are looking forward to the amazing events and occurrences for them in the future ... it's a 21^st century facility and they can all thrive in the space.

"We are on a rather small school site at the moment and this will have a significant impact on everyone in this community - (putting them) in good stead for many many generations of students for future learning."

In addition to the new facilities, the existing classrooms and buildings will also be upgraded. The original brick school building currently used as a staff room will become a library, and the current school gym will become a STEM unit.

The full building project and redevelopment is expected to be completed in 2022.

School captain and year six student Addy Ryan looks forward to visiting the school when the building is complete next year.

"My friends and I are a bit sad we don't get to be involved with it but hoping we can come back and visit," she said.

"We have had lots of student voices involved and different ideas we put in (to the planning) that they might include."

IN OTHER NEWS

Wendouree MP Juliana Addison said it was exciting to see the school project finally underway and welcomed the boost to jobs and manufacturing it would kickstart.

"To allow for 500 students is a real reflection of the great community we are living in; people want to live here, want to work here and want their kids to go to this school," she said.

"This multi-million dollar upgrade for Miners Rest Primary School was designed with the whole school community in mind and importantly, shaped by their feedback."

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