Healthy breakfasts and lunches are on the menu for students in Angurugu School with the opening of their new home economics centre, two years after fire destroyed their old building.
Minister for Education Selena Uibo yesterday officially opened the schools new home economics and administration building, along with its new Early Learning Centre, on Groote Eylandt, in her Arnhem electorate.
The $7.7 million project was undertaken by Territory company Norbuilt and employed 14 Aboriginal workers during construction, 12 being Angurugu locals.
The Northern Territory Government provided $5.7 million for the project, while the Australian Government contributed $2 million towards the new preschool and Early Learning Centre.
The new home economics building was rebuilt after fire ripped through the school in April 2016.
It includes contemporary kitchen facilities that will enable students to participate in cooking classes, as well as facilitating the full return of the schools popular nutrition program, which provides healthy breakfast and lunches for students.
The new dedicated Early Learning Centre will house a pre-school and Angurugus Families as First Teachers program.
As noted by Minister for Education, Selena Uibo.
Children are at the centre of the Territory Labor Governments decision-making and these new buildings not only provide contemporary new spaces for learning, they facilitate investment in the health of Angurugu students through enabling the preparation of healthy breakfasts and lunches.
The new dedicated Early Learning Centre will provide families with a continuous pathway from early years learning through to school, in line with our key commitment to Early Childhood investment.
Job creation is our governments number one priority and the construction of this $7.7 million project supported 14 Aboriginal jobs.
As noted by Angurugu School Principal, Paul Riches
Our school community is very excited about these new facilities.
We have a fantastic outdoor dining area for the students to enjoy their breakfast and lunch as part of our school nutrition program and the early learning facility is a space for families to engage in their childs education in a safe, friendly environment.
