Sod turned for new $11.5 million Kyneton Primary School

KYNETON’S new $11.5 million primary school will include state-first architecture to meet the varied learning needs of 300 pupils.

Minister James Merlino and MP Mary-Anne Thomas with Kyneton Primary School students at the sod-turning ceremony. Picture: Rob Leeson

KYNETON’S new $11.5 million primary school on Edgecombe St will include modern design and architecture to ideally meet the varied learning needs of 300 pupils.

That’s the view of Kyneton Primary School principal Alistair Rayner as construction on the new site officially started on Wednesday with a sod-turning ceremony attended by State Education Minister James Merlino.

Mr Rayner said the three main buildings included open studio workspaces, quiet spaces and more traditional classrooms.

One building will cater for prep to grade 2 students, another grades 3 to 6, and the third will be for specialist learning and leadership.

KYNETON PRIMARY DESIGN GOES BEYOND THE TRADITIONAL

“This is one of the best things to happen to Kyneton education in a long time,” Mr Rayner said.

“The primary school and Kyneton community can barely contain our excitement at the prospect of the new school being completed sometime in term four this year.

“The project management plan has delivered a plan that caters to individual learning needs and a learning environment that best suits each students learning style.”

Mr Rayner said architect Gray Puksand had delivered one design feature not seen in Victorian schools before, a mixed toilet bay with individual cubicle toilets and shared washbasin area observable through glass doors.

The design, observed in New Zealand schools, would promote inclusiveness and reduce intimidation felt by students in going to the bathroom, he said.

The most popular feature for students was undoubtedly a full-sized oval, Mr Rayner said.

Both Mr Merlino and Macedon state Labor MP Mary-Anne Thomas praised the vision and tenacity of parents who became the Friends of Kyneton Education, the group which helped win political support for the project.

“This was one of the best community campaigns I’ve seen which kept up over many years,” Mr Merlino said.

“It is a tribute to this community and to parents who sat around kitchen tables and thought we need something better than this.”

Mr Merlino also visited Kyneton Secondary College on Wednesday, where consultation for a new $5 million trades training hub will be built. The secondary college has $10.5 million in works to start, including the trades hub.

Ms Thomas said as well as the clear positive educational outcomes, the $22 million investment in Kyneton would provide a noticeable boost to the local economy.