Melbourne’s first vertical public school is set to open in just over two weeks, providing a state-of-the-art primary school for inner city families.
Victoria Minister for Education James Merlino joined Member for Albert Park Martin Foley on January 9 to tour the new South Melbourne Primary School, which will cater for more than 500 students from Prep to Year 6.
“This brand-new, world-leading school will ensure every child in the inner city has the chance to get a great education at a great local school,” Mr Merlino said.
Mr Foley welcomed the addition of the school to the area.
“This new school will be a jewel of South Melbourne – giving local students and families access to first-class facilities and easing enrolment pressures in our growing community,” he said.
The school, which will be ready for students on the first day of Term 1, features modern teaching and learning space, as well as facilities the community can share so that it is fully embedded in neighbourhood life.
It includes an administration centre, library and arts facilities on the ground floor, as well as a maternal child and health centre.
Level 1 includes school staff areas, music rooms, science classrooms and an external urban ecology chamber, canteen and plaza.
Levels 2 and 5 include classrooms, external learning and play areas, while there are more classrooms on levels 3 and 4. There is also a competition basketball and netball stadium on the ground floor.
The school won the Future Project of the Year award at the 2016 World Architecture Festival Awards held in Berlin.
The project is part of a $2.5 billion investment in education by the State Government.
Victoria’s school building boom has delivered more than 1,200 school upgrades and 56 new school projects across the state, supporting almost 5,000 construction jobs for Victorians.
