Our School History
HISTORY OF WHITE HILLS P.S. 1916
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Primary School No 1916 opened in Napier Street on the 1st July, l877. One hundred and eight years later this new site in Plumridge Street was purchased and officially opened by the Minister of Education Mr Lindsay Thompson. Two hundred young trees were planted on that day and the results can be seen today. In August l983, Education Minister Mr Robert Fordham set up a local planning committee to develop an educational brief as a basis for a new school. On approval of the brief, we secured the appointment of local architect, Mr David Breaden. Tenders were called in February l984 and let by the P.W.D. to Hookers Builders. The local planning committee carried out close monitoring throughout construction. Mr Robert Fordham – Deputy Premier, officially opened the new building on Friday, 18th October 1985. |
Landscape and Grounds Development
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Throughout the years has seen the construction of two large, covered playgrounds, (one for Prep use). Additional playgrounds and sandpits and large structures were erected over a basketball and netball courts providing shade and wet weather cover. A large sport’s shed was built to enable Physical Education classes to be held indoors and in all weather. The floor of this building and one of the two covered courts is covered with artificial turf. A 150,000 litre tank has been placed to collect the water from these two large structures to enable the watering of the school gardens, while connection to reclaimed water has resulted in our oval being green at all times. Upgrades to retainer walls, the construction of a chook nook and veggie gardens in recent years and the moving of the turtle enclosure for all students to enjoy have been very popular.
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Classroom Development
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Internally, the school environment has also been enhanced by continuous maintenance and improvement. A significant grant in 2018 has seen the redevelopment of the main building to include more permanent classrooms and the creation of shared and flexible spaces throughout the building. These include a large STEM room, makerspaces, a sunlab, a community library facility and two presentation rooms. The reshuffling of some relocatable buildings has created learning neighbourhoods throughout the school (P-2, 3-4 and 5-6). Classrooms have multimedia facilities, with students accessing a range of ICT including personal laptops and I-Pads. A large staff carpark has been constructed at the front of the school to cater for the growing number of staff and enabling easier access to the school for parents to drop off and collect their children. We welcome you and your family to this school community and invite you to join in and take part in activities, programs, planning, ground maintenance and improvement. We are proud of our school and the environment that we and others have created. |