Members for Ginninderra, Mary Porter and Jon Stanhope, joined with parents, current and former students as well as present and former teachers, in a special assembly at Giralang Primary School to celebrate the school's 30th anniversary.
A special guest was the architect who designed the school, the award winning Enrico Tanlietto.
The celebrations opened with an indigenous welcome dance performed by the whole school. The dance had been taught to the children by Duncan Smith, an aboriginal artist who works with many school communities, helping to give children an understanding of aboriginal culture.
The audience was also entertained with a concert featuring presentations which included all children from kindergarten through to year 6.
Jason Hayduk, a former student whose own children are now Giralang students, spoke about his own fond memories of his student years and how his own children enjoy the caring and nurturing environment of the school.
In his address Chief Minister Jon Stanhope confirmed that Giralang will benefit from a $1.6 million upgrade which will see the school get a new playground, an upgraded canteen, better toilet access, new carpets, upgraded heating and ventilation, internal and external painting and improvements to security lighting.
The work, which will begin in October, will also feature environmentally sustainable facilities which include a rainwater tank for use on the playground and in toilets, energy efficient lighting and a solar hot water service for the pre-school.
To commemorate the anniversary, the P and C commissioned a stain glass window, pictured above, that was designed by Duncan Smith and created by south coast artist Jenny Bateman.
Gallery 2007 Image 32
