Expansion of Sathya Sai Primary School
Stage 2 Works
Stage 2 provides a separate classroom for all classes, and alleiviates the need to use portable classrooms. It also provides a Music Room and Library - Resource Area.
Stage 2
- Four new classrooms, library, toilets,
- Ready for Occupation in 2010
- Removal of portable classrooms
- Staff room and Administration area
- Estimated Cost: $700,000
Turning the First Sod
Celebrating the commencement of Stage 2
of the Sathya Sai School Building Programme
by Roger Packham, Chair, Central Council,
Sathya Sai Organisation of Australia and PNG
It was November 12th 2008 when I arrived at the school at 8.45am on an overcast day. I was to represent the board of the Sathya Sai School NSW (Inc) at this auspicious event to mark the beginning of the construction of the new School buildings. It was an eagerly-anticipated event that goes back more than ten years. The School originally commenced at the "Sai Temple" at Mount Warning, and then moved into the town of Murwillumbah itself to be more accessible to more students. The school quickly outgrew the rented premises being used, and through generous donations, we were able to purchase an existing hall nearby, that had room underneath for classrooms. Again we quickly outgrew this, and demountable classrooms were added as plans were drawn up for permanent school buildings to meet the long-term needs of the school. Having done this and circulated the plans to all interested, the challenge remained as to how to turn this 'dream' into a reality?
Through the generous donations of many Sai devotees, the wonderful support of the Government Building grants programme, and a loan from the St George Bank, the Board of Sathya Sai School NSW (Inc) was finally in a position to approve the commencement of stages one and two of the building programme. This is what we were celebrating on this day.
An elaborate outdoor event had been planned by the Principal (Bob Malloy) and the staff involving all the children at the site of the new Library-to-be, but as the weather became wetter, so came a rapid change of plan. The chief guest - the deputy Mayor of Tweed Shire Council - the project manager, the builder, and other special guests, together with the student leaders, braved the rain with the help of umbrellas to perform the ceremony as planned, while the other children and guests stayed dry in the hall. We all then returned to the hall for the rest of the ceremony. This commenced with a wonderful musical presentation from the school recorder band - a band which will be playing in nursing homes and elsewhere over the next few weeks up to the end of term. There then followed speeches from the Principal, myself and the deputy Mayor, followed by a vote of thanks from the two school captains. In attendance were many members of the school community and the local Sathya Sai Organisation, including parents, teachers, administration staff and others.
The rain did not dampen our spirits; in fact it was seen as a positive omen to help the school to 'grow' quicker! The event can be viewed through photographs that follow this commentary. Once phases 1 and 2 (that here commenced) are completed, it is hope that sufficient extra resources will then be available to go on and complete the final stage three (a four-classroom block), and thus complete our Sathya Sai School building programme.
You may view a pictorial record of the early days of the Sathya Sai Primary School and see pictures of this occasion in this photo album.
The next stage of construction was the Library and the Resource Centre. These were completed in July of 2009. You may view a photo album of stage 2 - part 1 works, finished (along with school images). View here
Staff from the School Board of Management attended the school and inspected the extensions, and fitting out of rooms. You may view a photo album of the inspection of extensions and room fittings.
Completion of Works - End 2009
The worldwide economic downturn prompted the Federal Government to provide the economic stimulus package in February 2009. This has allowed us to bring forward Stage 4 building our final two classrooms. We have witnessed what seems like a miracle - the whole project was completed in one year, in December 2009! The school now has all the facilities to cope with the continued growth five years ahead of schedule. We thank all those who have provided service and help to bring about this miracle.
The new classrooms
Showing the covered walkway between buildings
The Library and Resource Centre
The skylight atop the Resource Centre
The covered walkway extends to the School Hall
The School Hall with new stairway coming off the covered walkway.
The Kindy and Classes 1 -2 building (Stage 1) are seen behind the hall.
| School Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8.30 am-4:15 pm Address: 9 Nullum St Murwillumbah NSW 2484 Postal Address: P.O. Box 705 Murwillumbah NSW 2484 Phone: 02 6672 8972 Fax: 02 6672 6016 | Fully accredited by NSW Board of Studies |
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Building the Education Revolution This school has received funding from the Australian Government to undertake infrastructure projects under the Building the Education Revolution component of the Government's Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan.