A well-timed State Government $3.6-million grant has allowed Horsham’s Ss Michael and John’s Primary School to expand to accommodate its growing student numbers.

New classrooms and learning spaces and a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths, STEAM, centre are among the additions that are under construction, serving the school’s current enrolment of 320 students.

Principal Louise Chesterfield said the grant was received in 2024, ahead of a design process that encompassed the school’s history and open-plan teaching style.

“We are a really collaborative school – we really love that sense of community and belonging,” she said.

“But being a landlocked block, we’ve had to be creative about how we add space to the buildings without actually compromising space for children to play, and space for children to play has been key as part of the design.”

Two buildings at either side of the school will expand from three learning communities to become four, with a STEAM centre at the corner of McLachlan and McPherson streets.

A feature wall will be built using the tin sign from the original school and bricks from the convent that stood on Roberts Avenue.

“The expansion will enable that connection and sense of community, which is so important to the way that we work. It will also maintain our connection to the past, with the purpose and the mission of our school,” Mrs Chesterfield said.

“It’s really important that we acknowledge the tradition and where we come from. 

“We’re really excited about that, and because the tender was awarded to local builder Rob Plazzer – talking about connection and community, Rob came to school here, Rob’s kids came to school here, and their grandfather, with the building of the church, built this school. 

“But you’ve also got a builder invested in the project and accessing local contractors, which in a time where we’re trying to keep our community thriving – it’s a contribution we can make back to the community.” 

Mrs Chesterfield said while student enrolment was expected to keep increasing – in the past few years it had grown by about 60 students from prep to grade-six. 

“However, our capacity will be at about 350,” she said.

“The size of our school is really important to us, it’s really important to know all of the children, all of the families, and have that sense of community within.

“We’ve been really fortunate here, especially in the current climate of teacher shortages, to maintain pretty consistent teaching staff, which has been wonderful.

“As a principal, I’m really privileged to work with an incredible group of people who put the children at the centre of all that we do – the children are at the basis of all the decisions we make.”

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