THE students at San Remo Primary School, along with their community of parents and teaching staff are celebrating $5.3 million in funding from this year’s state budget for a long-awaited redevelopment project. Principal Karen Bowker greeted the announcement with enthusiasm, commending the commitment of both students and the wider school community in advocating for these improvements.
“This is something our students and families truly deserve,” Ms Bowker remarked. “It’s not just about bricks and mortar – it’s about creating contemporary, quality learning environments that reflect 21st-century education.”
The comprehensive upgrade, which has now been fully designed and costed, will feature a new administration area, two modern classrooms, student restrooms, and a dedicated staff space.
This project aims to significantly change the campus layout, especially along Thomas Grove, where the current library and the existing Grade 5/6 building will be removed to make room for the new facilities.
To facilitate the construction, the current administration building and several classrooms will need to be temporarily relocated.
“There will be some initial rearrangements,” Ms Bowker explained. “We’ll have to vacate the current admin building and relocate a few classrooms to accommodate the new Grade 5/6 learning space.”
Having completed all the design work and displayed it for community feedback since last year, the project is now ready for tendering. A final cost review will take place before contracts are finalised.
This upgrade holds special significance for the school’s Grade 6 students, who wrote heartfelt letters to the Premier before the budget announcement, addressing the need for modern learning environments and expressing their desire to leave a legacy for their younger “prep buddies.”
“They wrote some remarkable things,” Ms Bowker shared.
“They conveyed that our school deserves facilities that support quality education and that our preps, their buddies, should have spaces that help them learn and thrive. They’re so proud to know they played a role in making this happen.”
The redevelopment is also viewed as a benefit for the broader San Remo community. As the town experiences consistent growth, modern school facilities are becoming increasingly crucial for attracting new families.
“One of the first questions new families ask is about our buildings,” Ms Bowker noted. “Now we can confidently say that the upgrade is happening – and they will witness it unfold during their children’s time here.”
Additionally, the government has announced they are increasing the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund to help families with a Health Care Card or concession card from January 1, 2026.
