Students relocate ahead of exciting construction phase
AFTER enduring three floods in as many years, Warwick East State School is continuing to rise up from the destruction.
Works are under way to further flood-proof the school, which lies directly on the Condamine River's ruthless flood path.
The school is one of the first buildings to be affected by the destructive waters, which have damaged playground equipment, classrooms, the canteen, offices and school supplies in the past.
Prep buildings located at the front of the school are on the ground level and are heavily inundated with the floodwaters soon after the banks break.
But that is all about to change, with a new precinct now under construction.
Principal Warren Elder said the school had been given funding to install raised buildings.
"They have taken out two buildings and the overall idea is to increase the flood resistance of the school," he said.
"For the two buildings they have taken out they will provide us with a double classroom module and the current prep building will be raised up."
Students in Prep to Year 3 will also soon enjoy a new playground and an outdoor storage shed is also included in the works.
"There will be some landscaping done and from the plans I have seen there will also be a paved area and seating for parents after school," he said.
Some students have had to be relocated while the work was carried out but Mr Elder said there was an air of excitement as the school community anticipated the new facilities.
"I am really excited because we are an old school and this will give us something so we can compete with the newer schools," he said.
"I think this we will really regenerate us and the students are very much looking forward to having a whole new precinct."
Mr Elder said he was unsure of when the work would be completed but was hopeful the new facilities would be open in Term 4.