Catholic primary school Our Lady of the River Berri proposes massive upgrade, with $2.3m grant

A private school in the Riverland would demolish classrooms for a state-of-the-art building. See the images.

Artist impression of the planned new Our Lady of the River at Berri. Picture: SMFA

A Catholic Riverland primary school would knock down classrooma and build new ones under an expansion plan which has already received a $2.3m grant.

Our Lady of the River Berri has lodged plans to rebuild new class and staffrooms on the school’s 14,500 sqm grounds on Verran Tce.

The new single-storey building would include a new general learning area, reception, classrooms, multipurpose hall and open-play area.

Stairs and a ramp would lead to a revamped administration building, while an outside area will be transformed with picturesque landscaping, seating boulders, a yarning circle, dry creek bed, garden, grassy mounds, a raised deck and a butterfly garden.

Artistic image of the street view of the school. Picture: SMFA

Artistic image of entry to the General Learning Area building. Picture: SMFA

Artistic image of external area that is part of the proposed upgrades to catholic primary school, Our Lady of the River Berri. Picture: SMFA

The new staffroom. Picture: SMFA

School principal Michael Slagter said the was experiencing enrolment growth over the past few years.

“The building program will allow us to deliver first-class learning facilities, which will benefit our students and community,” he said.

“The project is supported by Block Grant Authority (BGA) funding of $2.3 million, for which we are very appreciative.”

Four new classrooms with breakout spaces, support rooms, wellbeing space and meeting rooms are part of the revamp, plus more carparks.

Artistic image of General Learning Area corridor. Picture: SMFA

Artistic image of General Learning Area Maker Space. Picture: SMFA

Artistic image of reception area. Picture: SMFA

Artistic image of multi purpose space. Picture: SMFA

The upgrade will permanently replace the existing transportable building used for year 3 to year 6 classrooms and an art/music classroom.

If approved, work is expected to start late this year and finish by mid-2026.

Public consultation is open until March 31.