Tony Zappia (Makin, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last Friday, I had the pleasure of representing education minister Jason Clare at the official opening of the new 11.7 million multipurpose two-storey primary school building at Torrens Valley Christian School in Hope Valley. The new building comprises 15 classrooms, a STEM room, a music room, staff offices, and staff and student amenities. From its humble beginnings as an independent coeducational school with just 14 students in 1980, under the tutelage of Mrs Jenny Sexton, Torrens Valley Christian School has today grown to almost 600 students, from foundation to year 12, thanks to the vision and drive of the school founders and of the early principals Peter van der Schoor, Bob Stunell and Andrew Mackenzie and their leadership teams.

As the member for Makin, I have often visited the school and noted the commitment of the last three principals, Nigel Bennett, Julie Prattis and, currently, Emily Brookes, all of whom have made a unique and personal contribution to the school's ongoing development and its future plans. My congratulations and commendations go to all who contributed towards the modern, well-designed new building, including the school board, the architects and the builders. I know the new facilities will make a real difference to the education and development of current and future students at Torrens Valley Christian School.