House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-09-05 Daily Xml

Contents

KAPUNDA HIGH SCHOOL

Mrs VLAHOS (Taylor) (14:41): My question to the Minister for Education and Child Development. Can the minister inform the house about the government's investment to redevelop and restore the heritage-listed building named Eringa at the Kapunda High School site?

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI (Hartley—Minister for Education and Child Development) (14:41): I would like to thank the member for Taylor for this important question. I was very pleased just recently to attend, together with the member for Stuart, the opening of the beautifully restored (in fact, I opened it) Eringa building at Kapunda High School. The restoration of this outstanding building is a fantastic effort and I would like to acknowledge the principal, Kristen Masters, and the many teachers and past principals who were also there at the function and, of course, the students and the broader community. It really is an enormous reflection on their commitment.

Eringa was the former home of the South Australian cattle king, Sir Sidney Kidman, and Lady Kidman, who generously donated their home to be used as a school. Today it is used for much more than just administration, although it does house the administration of the school, but it is also used for students for course counselling, the SRC, the governing council and other meetings. The official opening and the leadership of the students during this event was an absolute credit to the school. I am sure that the member for Stuart would absolutely agree.

I am very proud to be a part of a state government that has invested more than $3 million alone in this building to bring it to a point where not only do we preserve the heritage of the building and the community but we also create a 21st century learning space for that school. I would like to extend my congratulations to that school community. Whilst I was in Kapunda, I also visited Kapunda Primary School and had a great opportunity to meet with the students. I had a chat with student leaders and met with new staff at the school, and, I heard a great deal about the fantastic work they were doing in relation to literacy and numeracy. I thank both those school communities for welcoming me so warmly.