Mawson Lakes School $6m upgrade to give more classroom options

Having 80 junior primary kids in earshot of each other can make lessons difficult at Mawson Lakes. A $6m fix is on the way. See the designs.

Artist's impression by Phillips Pilkington Architects of the courtyard in the upgraded Mawson Lakes School. Picture supplied

The first stage of a $6m redevelopment of Mawson Lakes School will improve the teaching space for junior primary students.

Sliding glass doors will allow teachers to compartmentalise what have been large open spaces accommodating up to 80 students from three classes.

“So you’ll be able to close off your classroom but you can also have the doors open for the highly collaborative activities that the junior primaries do together,” principal David Cowles said.

Mawson Lakes consists of two campuses on one site, with junior primary on the eastern flank.

Work on that internal refurbishment is due to begin in November and be ready for 2022.

On the western campus, which has year 3 and up, a “tapestry” of transportables installed at various times as the school grew will be demolished and replaced by six new modular buildings and courtyard designed by Phillips Pilkington Architects.

Work on that stage is due to begin in December.

Artist's impression of the upgrade to Mawson Lakes School, South Australia. Picture supplied by the Department for Education

Education Minister John Gardner said Mawson Lakes would have “world-class facilities” after the upgrade.

“We are committed to helping students right across our education system reach their full potential and I am excited to see this new vision of Mawson Lakes School come to life,” Mr Gardner said.

The $6m was orginally allocated in 2017 under the former Labor government’s Building Better Schools program.

In a separate project, the school is eagerly awaiting reconstruction of a footbridge which spans a creek which runs between the two campuses.

Mr Cowles said the existing bridge flooded about ten times a year and a new bridge would be built in a joint project with Salisbury Council.

“It’s terrific that the council has committed funds,” Mr Cowles said.

“The local community uses our grounds a lot after-hours.

“We don’t have fences and the community uses our basketball courts, ovals and nature play areas.”

Artist's impression of a covered deck area in the new modular buildings to be constructed at Mawson Lakes School.

Mawson Lakes has 760 students this year. Numbers will fall slightly next year when the year 7 level moves to secondary schools but Mr Cowles expects growth to then pick up again straight away.

The school has a special program to assist families of defence personnel.

It also is very multicultural with students from some 50 different country backgrounds.