Mary Porter, Member for Ginninderra, has joined Minister for Education and Training, Andrew Barr, at the official opening of the new Giralang preschool and early intervention and autism units.
Mary Porter said the new facilities are a great example of collaboration between the ACT Government and the local community.
“I have worked with the Giralang community on a number of issues since becoming a local member and I am pleased that through community consultation and creative thinking, we have been able to develop this facility into one which better serves the needs of the students both now and into the future,” Ms Porter commented
Throughout the design phase, Early Childhood Education staff, Giralang Preschool program staff, Primary School staff and the school community had significant input into the design of the facilities and 45 students are currently enrolled.
Mr Barr said that as schools are primarily places of learning, one of the key lessons students must learn is the need to reduce their environmental footprint and what simple and effective things they can do each day to achieve this.
“I am pleased to see these new facilities include environmental features including a water tank providing water for the toilet facilities, motion activated taps in the wash area so taps are not left running, motion activated lighting so lights go off when a room is not in use, a solar hot water system and, even the soft fall surface on the playground reduces landfill by using reconstituted tyre rubber,” Mr Barr added.
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