School to make fresh start next to Torrens
A renowned school for Aboriginal students will move to bigger and better premises at Thebarton as part of a State Government relocation plan linked to the T2D Project.
To make way for construction of the T2D motorway, Warriappendi School will shift from its current location at Marleston to the refurbished former TechinSA building in Thebarton, from the start of the 2025 school year.
Established in 1980 and attended by Aboriginal students from across Greater Adelaide, the school supports the move because it is outgrowing its John Street campus and is keen to have its students involved in rejuvenating an underused precinct east of South Road, next to the River Torrens / Karrawirra Parri.
The school’s new site located next to the river is a culturally significant place for Kaurna people, who are the traditional custodians.
Design is carefully considering cultural requirements through close consultation with the school community, with appropriate cultural design, stakeholder engagement and Aboriginal employment outcomes a focus for the project team.
The new school will be housed in the existing three-storey building on the former TechinSA site, updated to a contemporary, purposed-designed school facility. It will have spaces for general and cultural learning, STEM, art, drama/music, wellbeing, a library and VET kitchen together with a new 900 square-metre gymnasium building.
Landscaping will comprise yarning spaces, outdoor half court, open space with AFL goals, playground and walking trail linking to produce gardens and artwork.
The precinct where the school will be relocated, situated between the south bank of the River Torrens and West Thebarton Road, also has potential for further development to include a shared-use riverside path, pedestrian bridge across the river and planting of native trees.
The school will become an immediate neighbour of Torrensville Bowling Club, which the State Government has announced will relocate to an adjacent site on Ann Nelson Drive.
A select tender has been released for design and construction works on both the school and bowls club, contract award expected in late 2023.
