Work begins on school’s $5m redevelopment to provide new music facilities

Construction has begun on a $5 million redevelopment to provide new music facilities at Tasmania’s largest high school.

CONSTRUCTION has begun on a $5 million redevelopment to provide new music facilities at Taroona High School.

Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff marked the start of works with teachers and students at the school on Tuesday.

Among the improvements will be new music facilities, refurbished learning areas in the former music area, support spaces and student amenities.

Taroona High head of music Glenn Schultz and Minister for Education and Training Jeremy Rockliff at Taroona High School. Picture: EDDIE SAFARIK

Mr Rockliff said Taroona was Tasmania’s largest high school and it was important to ensure it had the best possible learning spaces for students.

“This is a $5 million investment into our public education, into Taroona High School,” he said.

“Taroona High School has over 1100 students and is in much need of infrastructure such as this.

“This is a contemporary music facility. There will be individual practice rooms, student amenities, office space as well.

“It is really providing state-of-the-art facilities.”

Taroona High head of music Glenn Schultz said the facilities would be a boon for the school.

“It will be over two levels. The top level we have a band room, 17 metres by 11 metres, with six-metre high ceilings, to give us the acoustic volume that we need.

“And there’ll also be ensemble rooms, practice rooms, on the bottom level as well as another band room, staffroom, a small deck here on the end for students to actually be outside and practice, the amenities-resource room, you name it, we’ve been able to include it.”

Mr Rockliff said the government was delivering a record $7.1 billion investment into education across Tasmania, creating better opportunities for Tasmanians.

“We are committed to creating contemporary and inspiring learning spaces for our students to ensure they have the best opportunity to learn, grown and thrive.”