It was built in 1876, and in 1921 SA pastoralist Sir Sidney Kidman donated Eringa to the Department for Education.
But a fierce fire in March 2022 reduced the historic building to a burned-out shell, devastating the Kapunda High School community, with principal Paula Hill describing Eringa as "the heart of our school".
Now the walls of the 147-year-old building are once again echoing with the sounds of exited stu
dents following a detailed process to restore the heritage-listed structure as closely as possible to its original design.
And the painstaking restoration has been a learning experience, with the school using the devastating event to establish a heritage trades program which involved Year 10 and Year 11 students working alongside stonemasons to gain practical experience and skills.
This included students restoring stonework on the original coach house that accompanies Eringa on the school site.
The rooms within Eringa served as classrooms and a library until 2010 when the building was turned into the school's administration building.
Designed by Grieve Gillett Architects and built by Badge Constructions, the building's restoration has been an extensive and exhaustive task in accordance with Heritage SA requirements.
Many of the defining features have returned, including the leadlight windows in the original entry along with fireplaces, ceiling features and timber flooring.
Within Eringa there have been significant improvements, with a new lift installed, accessible entry, staff room and a museum run by the school's tourism students.
Bricks from the original chimneys were carefully reclaimed and reused to help preserve the site's historical significance.
Items such as floor and wall tiles, cornices and lattice work were also salvaged and documented prior to reconstruction.
The $23 million project included replacing a transportable building dating back to the 1960s also lost in the fire, providing a modern facility for the school community.
The new learning centre features contemporary classrooms, an art room and outdoor deck connecting students to the iconic Moreton Bay Fig tree in front of Eringa.
Ms Hill said that the reopening of Eringa was "an auspicious and important occasion for the whole community and for the Kapunda school community past and present".
"The rebuilding and reopening of Eringa means far more to our school community than just the return of a building," Ms Hill said.
"Eringa has always been a place where students, staff, families and community members connect, seek support, celebrate achievements and build relationships.
"As a result, for many staff, students and community members, the reopening of Eringa is deeply personal and we welcome its restoration as the heart of our school."
