23 October 2009
Peter Garrett
Federal Member for Kingsford Smith
Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts
Federal Member for Kingsford Smith, Peter Garrett, today visited Kensington Public School to officially open one project and inspect progress on a second funded by the Rudd Government’s Building the Education Revolution.
Cutting the ribbon to officially open new landscaping in the school grounds, Mr Garrett said the BER Program was about investing in vital school maintenance and infrastructure, and local jobs.
“This is an exciting phase of the Government’s Education Revolution and these fantastic gardens, built with $150,000 from the National School Pride Program, are a great addition to Kensington Public School.
“It’s great to see a completed project in one of my local schools – one of 47 receiving support through the BER,” Mr Garrett said.
School principal, Ms Annie Jones, said the school community was very pleased with its National School Pride project.
“This landscaping has turned a dustbowl into a shady park-like area which we use for free play and at lunchtime,” said Ms Jones.
Mr Garrett also inspected the construction site for the school’s new library. The school received $2.5 million under the Federal Government’s Primary Schools for the 21st Century Program for the library.
“School communities, parents and tradespeople are working together to deliver these important projects such as this. And, once completed, they will give our teachers and students the 21st century facilities that they so richly deserve,” said Mr Garrett.
“When the library is finished, our school will have a 21st century facility and with state-of-the-art technology.
“We are also very pleased that the new library will not take away an inch of playground space,” said Ms Jones.
Building the Education Revolution is a $14.7 billion is part of the Rudd government’s $42 billion Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan to support jobs, stimulate local economies and invest in important infrastructure for the long-term.