Revitalised Ludmilla Primary shows off $7.4 million upgrades

The NT Government has splashed money on one inner city Darwin primary school.

Ludmilla Primary School students Daniel Mbemap, Milo Bender, Teshania Sing, Marcus White, Tarni Date and Samatha Schiller are loving their news digs.

STUDENTS at Ludmilla Primary School can now enjoy some of the best classroom conditions of any student in the country after the completion of a $7.4 million refurbishment to upgrade classrooms and play equipment.

With the school at below 30 per cent capacity, the 110 enrolled Ludmilla students are lapping up their new space across 11 upgraded classrooms and an Early Learning Centre with capacity for 44 children.

The refurbishments include comprehensive upgrades to classroom technology and furniture, with new gadgets such as hearing loops, voice activate microphones and audio headsets hailed by school principal Carol Putica as “game changers” for students and teachers.

“Our new classrooms and a different style of learning is essential to student engagement because education is changing,” Ms Putica said.

TERRITORY infrastructure investment on target

“Our students are moving into different career paths than we did traditionally and we have to prepare them for their new careers.

“These classrooms are focused on problem solving, creativity and collaboration.”

Ms Putica said the money spent on the school was “a very mindful plan and it looked at each child as a learner from birth to year six”.

$57m in Parap Primary School in construction contracts awarded

“The result is here today: our families can start their education from our Families as First Teachers (FaFT) program from the moment their child is born,” she said.

Education Minister Selena Uibo said the investment from the Territory Government would breathe new life into one of Darwin’s oldest schools.

“The infrastructure was well needed in terms of an upgrade,” Ms Uibo said.

$1 A WEEK for 12 weeks. Australia's best news subscription deal

“The contemporary learning spaces and new classrooms, along with the new Early Learning Centre, will help children receive the best possible start towards a bright future.”

Although the school has struggled over the past decade with enrolments in its primary program, the school’s FaFT program is one of the most popular in the NT with 98 children enrolled — an achievement Ms Uibo celebrated.

“We know the first years of a child’s life are critical and impact their success in school and in their adult years. That’s why we’re investing in early childhood,” she said.