Official opening for $54m transformation of new Norwood International High School
One of Adelaide’s largest schools has unveiled at $54m transformation, complete with a new name. See the pictures here.
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For decades, Norwood Morialta High School was split into two campuses – one at Magill, the other at Rostrevor.
Now, following one of the state’s biggest school refurbishment projects, a new Norwood International High School has been born through the union of 1700 junior and senior secondary students.
Based on what was the former senior Norwood Morialta campus at the top of The Parade, old structures dating back to the 1960s have been given makeovers while a custom-designed three-storey building has been created for years 7-to-9 students.
They were among students who had to be relocated from the school’s former years 8-10 campus on St Bernards Rd at the beginning of the year so it could be demolished for a new secondary school now under construction, Morialta College.
They were joined by year 7 students from local primary schools moved into secondary school this year for the first time by the previous Liberal state government.
For principal Jacqui van Ruiten, overseeing the $54m project has been the biggest challenge of her teaching career, which previously involved senior leadership positions at Underdale High School and Salisbury High School.
Not only has Ms van Ruiten managed the school’s daily operations, she also had to integrate hundreds of new students within an active construction site while working closely with architects Swanbury-Penglase and construction company Lendlease.
The project has involved creating a two-storey innovation hub, new library, a classroom with a commercial kitchen and specialised science laboratories.
There are upgraded metalwork and woodwork studios, new art studios, paired classrooms with connecting sliding doors, break out spaces, a cafe, new hard courts for sports and numerous other outdoor spaces.
They include a rooftop terrace reserved for junior students, who have spent the year in a brand-new building with contemporary classrooms featuring giant screens.
“We’ve gone from having 650 students to having 1700 year 7 to year 12 students and we’ve gone from having 60 staff to over 170 staff,” said Ms Ruiten.
“This is not just a building project, it’s a transformation of our school.
“It’s been about finally bringing our staff and school together on one compass.
“This is a change which staff and our school community have been wanting for 15 years and it is very significant.
“It’s been a big challenge but we have got there. To see it come to fruition has been incredibly rewarding ”
Year 11 students Sofia DeMond-Iouguina, 17, and Patric Partridge, 17, said they were enjoying their new educational environment.
Sofia said she especially liked the new middle-school building.
“Every time I go in there the colours just pop out, it is just like ‘wow’,” she said.
Patric, who joined the school under an accelerated learning program in Year 10, said he was finding it an “excellent” place to study.
“It’s very spacious, very welcoming and just nice to look at. It’s not like you are at school.”
The new Norwood International High School will be officially opened by Education Minister Blair Boyer on Wednesday.
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