SA students will have $192m in construction projects opening at both public and private schools in 2025
From a $20m sports centre in Athelstone to a $15m gym and performing arts centre in Salisbury Downs, there is a suite of upgrades set for SA schools in 2025. See the list.
Education
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Schools both private and public in South Australia are set to expand or upgrade with some of the projects to open for 2025 totalling about $200m.
Some are multimillion dollar developments that will cater to massive enrolment growth while others are refurbishments of existing buildings to create state-of-the-art spaces.
The most expensive private school projects revealed by The Advertiser for 2025 total about $83m.
There are 19 projects at public schools around the state that will officially open in 2025 at a cost of about $167m.
A further 24 are set to finish construction in 2025 – costing around $306m – but won’t be officially opened until 2026.
Education Minister Blair Boyer said that “high quality, modern schools can lead to better student results”.
“Creating the right environment for learning is incredibly important and it’s vital that learning spaces in our schools reflect that,” Mr Boyer said.
“Every investment we are making is aimed at making sure families can attend their local school with confidence that it can cater for their child.”
Here are some of the biggest developments being opened or built in 2025.
CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETE IN 2025
Mount Carmel College, $25m
The Catholic school’s campus in Pennington submitted plans in 2023 for a new two-storey building which would raise its capacity from 350 to 500 students.
The construction project, which forms part of the second stage of the school’s development plan totalling $25m, includes six general learning areas, a staffroom and a canteen.
When Mount Carmel College submitted the plans in July 2023, principal John Konopka said he expected the development to be open at the start of the 2025 school year.
St Joseph’s School, uncosted
The two-storey building is set to comprise eight general learning areas for students in years 1 and 2 and common areas on both the ground and first floors.
The building will span two allotments, one of which contains a childcare centre, which has been acquired by St Joseph’s, and the other open space within the school.
The building is part of the school’s stage 6 redevelopments and is expected to open mid-2025.
Pimpala Primary School, $15m
Work on a $15 million redevelopment of Pimpala Primary School in Adelaide’s south will soon begin after the first concept designs were released by the state government – building contemporary learning areas, a new administration building and demolishing old buildings.
Construction will start at the beginning of next year and is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
The school will remain open during the work.
The Heights Technical College, $32m
One of five new technical colleges in the state, the project at the site of the Heights School will be completed this year, ready to accept students at the start of 2026.
It will offer an alternative program for students in years 10-12 designed to provide a pipeline of skilled workers for priority industries.
The college is being built at the site of The Heights School, in Modbury Heights, which has a current reception to year 12 enrolment of about 1800 students.
While located at the existing high school site, the technical college is a stand-alone build.
Port Augusta Technical College, $38.5m
The technical college at the site of Port Augusta Secondary School will be complete by the end of 2025, ready to open next year.
It will operate in association with, but separately to the existing high school.
The technical college will accommodate 100 students at any one time, including 45 students who will reside in the short-term accommodation for up to five days at any one time.
It will provide a fully integrated program offering vocational training, apprenticeships and SACE completion programs with direct pathways to jobs such as electricians, engineers, boilermakers and gas fitters.
Mount Gambier Technical College, $38.5m
On track to be open for business in 2026, Mount Gambier Technical College is being built on an existing carpark at the TAFE campus on Wireless Rd.
The technical college will provide students in Year 10, 11 and 12 with access to industry relevant training in agri-tech (for careers in forestry, agriculture and manufacturing), early childhood and education, health and social support, and multi-trades (for careers as plumbers, builders or electricians).
The Department of Education said the programs on offer were selected as a result of ongoing industry consultation and future economic opportunities for the Limestone Coast.
Students from both public and private schools will have the opportunity to attend the college with the site able to accommodate a maximum of 100 students at any given time.
Student accommodation consisting of 44 beds will also be built in addition to the education facility to allow remote students to stay on campus while they are studying.
CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY
Prince Alfred College, $23m
Prince Alfred College revealed plans for its new $23m modern-inspired preparatory school, designed by the architect behind the Adelaide Oval redevelopment.
The college at Kent Town will retire the current building on the corner of Dequetteville Tce and Little Flinders Ln, rebuilding it from the ground up.
The new centre will feature nine-classrooms and an outdoor open learning and play space.
Further works as part of the college’s master plan include a carpark, multipurpose sports field, and upgrades to secondary school buildings.
Construction began in December 2024.
Saint Ignatius’ College, $20m
In September, Saint Ignatius’ College unveiled plans for its largest ever building project, a sports centre for senior students.
The three-storey sport and physical education centre will feature double courts with retractable spectator seating, dugout style change rooms, viewing platforms, and space for students to focus on strength and conditioning, weights and high-performance training.
To be built at the Saint Ignatius’ College senior school campus, in Athelstone, the building will also house flexible learning areas, meeting rooms and a kiosk.
It is set to be completed in 2026.
St Peter’s Girls’ School, cost not revealed
Construction commenced in the second half of 2024 on two multipurpose indoor courts, a fitness room, weights room, music rooms and a cafe among other developments.
The complex, to be built on the corner of Hallett and Stonyfell roads, will also include a drama space, general learning classrooms, changerooms and 36 underground car parks.
The plan included demolition of their existing gym to make way for the outdoor courts.
CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN IN 2025
Thomas More College, $15m
Thomas More College in Salisbury Downs is building a new gymnasium and performing arts centre after the school saw almost 50 per cent growth in student numbers since 2018.
The new gymnasium, part of the same building as the performing arts centre, will include a double basketball court, teaching spaces and retractable seating.
The new performing arts area will come with a performance space and large stage area, accommodating more than 250 seats, classroom spaces and studios, specialist music tutorial facilities and catering space.
The expansion comes after Thomas More recently purchased additional land at Venlo Court next to the school.
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