High school rebuild to finish in December

Upgrades to Newman Senior High School totalling $7.65 million should be completed by December, more than two years after the school was damaged when an electrical fire took hold.

The first of the significant landscaping projects which include seating and shading for students will be completed by the end of the month, with the second stage to see construction start on new the new building facilities.

NSHS principal Milanna Heberle said students and staff had been resilient since the fire and added the rebuild would provide a wonderful facelift to the 40-year-old school in line with other new schools being built around the State.

“It’s a well-designed learning environment and will suit the needs of our students and community well into the future,” she said.

“Staff and students are looking forward to moving into the new facilities.”

The damage done in October 2014 totalled $7.5 million and the incident, which police said was an accident, destroyed three science rooms, three general classrooms, offices, toilets and a nurse’s office and medical room.

To cope with the lack of facilities since the fire, replacement transportable buildings were used by staff and students.

Education Mminister Peter Collier said students and staff had quickly bounced back from the fire and the upgrade would be fantastic for education in the Pilbara now and into the future.

“Newman Senior High School offers outstanding education opportunities for students and these new facilities will further provide opportunities for excellence,” he said.

“Teachers are focused on delivering a high-quality education and the new maths and science rooms are designed to suit their needs as well as encourage students to achieve their best.”

The overall floor area of the new $7.65 million build, which is due to open for the 2017 school year, is 1165sqm.