Hands-free light switches, smart air-conditioning systems and interactive touch screen boards: Tamworth Public School is stepping into the future with the completion of its $8.2 million redevelopment.
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It couldn't have come at a better time, with the heavy shift to online learning sparked by the pandemic, coupled with an increase in enrolments from metropolitan families making a lifestyle change to Tamworth.
"It's managed to keep our history but put us into the future," principal Chris Connor explained.
NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell was joined by MP Kevin Anderson on Monday to congratulate Mr Connor, teachers, staff and students for their patience during the build, which was given the green light in March last year.
"I'm thrilled to join the students and staff of Tamworth Public School and proud that the 50th project for the State in 2020 is being delivered in regional NSW," Ms Mitchell said.
"As a local girl I am so excited to see this investment in Tamworth."
The development includes seven new learning spaces, a new hall, new staff facilities, three activities areas and the refurbishment of the former teachers' cottage.
While officially opened on Monday, the school's new classrooms and communal hall have been in use for almost three weeks now.
The new classrooms, which are used by Years 5 and 6, replace six demountables, giving the students the chance to focus their education in a "new and modern" way.
Watch the Leader's video walk-through below:
"We can move classes out of the demountable buildings where they've been for quite a number of years, into state-of-the-art classroom facilities here," Mr Connor said.
"This is an excellent school, but now a school with cutting edge technology, not just what we carry from room to room, but which is embedded into all aspects of the teaching process."
Latest touch screen interactive boards, video conferencing facilities, iPads, laptops, opportunity for energy saving electricity and aircon facilities, and the connectivity to education "adventures" around the world are the main features.
In the last 10 years, the school has grown from 600 students to well over 900, with 11 new enrolments since the start of the term.
Mr Connor attributed the growth to city families seeking the regional lifestyle.
Early works of the project were done in the original school hall, built back in 1919 in the art deco style, and converted into a staff room.
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"They kept the internal features, the nice pillars, and inserted into it all the features of the common room," Mr Connor said.
Before the build, there was only one toilet for a staff of over 80.
The last building to be built for the school was around 1980, which was the school library, and the last major work saw lighting, electrical and technology upgrades.
"It's been a long time coming but it's really worthwhile - it's just beautiful," Mr Connor enthused.
Member for Tamworth, Kevin Anderson said he was proud the NSW Government had delivered such a significant project for Tamworth.
"I'm pleased to be here today to be able to see the wonderful new facilities first hand," Mr Anderson said.