Grade four pupils at Urquhart Park Primary School have moved into their new classrooms after a $1.5 million building project to replace an old building that contained asbestos.
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Not only are the grade fours enjoying new classrooms and a decked outdoor learning space but all of the school's pupils now have a new Japanese garden for quiet activity in the playground, and covered walkways to protect them from Ballarat's weather.
Principal Janet Hillgrove, Wendouree MP Juliana Addison and eager pupils got their first look at the completed building on Monday before teachers and students moved into their new classrooms.
Their previous classrooms in a decades-old building had been earmarked for removal under the state government's asbestos removal program.
"The community of Urquhart Park Primary School is very excited to have this wonderful indoor and outdoor space," said principal Janet Hillgrove.
"Our new building has a beautiful outlook with really big classrooms and an outdoor deck that will provide another wonderful outdoor learning space that teachers can use."
The Japanese garden, designed with input from the school's Japanese teacher, will be a place where students can sit and talk, reflect or play quietly.
The new building on the Victoria Park side of the school grounds was built under the government's permanent modular school buildings program, which sees buildings constructed off-site and arrive at schools ready for assembling.
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Ms Hillgrove said most of the project occurred during remote learning when there were few children on site so disruption was minimal.
"We're working hard to ensure that Ballarat students have the best facilities, so that every child feels supported, motivated and is given every chance to succeed," Ms Addison said.
Urquhart Park Primary School will next year change its name to Newington Primary School.
