Education Minister Chris Bourke has announced two new schools will kick off construction this year:
The $64.4 million Bonner Primary School andthe $44.1 million Franklin Early Childhood School are set to open at the commencement of the 2013 school year, catering for enrolment growth in the east and north Gungahlin areas.
Bonner Primary School is scheduled to open at the start of term 1 in 2013, providing pre-school and primary school facilities for families in the north Gungahlin region, especially in the growing suburbs of Bonner and Forde. When completed, it will accommodate up to 560 students.
As part of our commitment to the environment, the new school has been designed to achieve a 5 Green Star design rating from the Green Building Council of Australia. It will also integrate horticulture, science and environment teaching areas. There will be a significant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander influence in the school landscapes and artwork, as befits a suburb named after the pioneering Senator Neville Bonner.
Franklin Early Childhood School will provide facilities for children from birth to eight years of age. The learning spaces and facilities have been designed to support national childcare standards and the latest educational practices in purpose-designed early childhood facilities. The school will accommodate a 120-space childcare centre, and will be able to enrol up to 300 students from
pre-school to year 2.