Media Release
Air-conditioning upgrade a cause for celebration at Gillen School
Monday 8 May 2006
The Gillen Primary School community in Alice Springs celebrated their much-appreciated comfortable new classrooms when they came together today for the official opening of a major upgrade to the school’s air-conditioning.
Senator Nigel Scullion officially opened the $350,000 air-conditioning upgrade at Gillen School, which was fully funded by the Department of Education Science and Training. Senator Nigel Scullion unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion.
Ms Rita Henry Executive Director for the Department of Employment, Education and Training for Central Australia attended the opening on behalf of Syd Stirling, Minister for Employment, Education and Training.
Ms Henry said the new facilities replace the older evaporative air conditioning system that has cooled the two main blocks of the school since Gillen opened in 1970.
“The newer technology of refrigerative air-conditioning is a system far better suited to the increasingly humid conditions and overall climate of Alice Springs”, she said.
“Having now had the opportunity to trial the new system, the Gillen community have reported that it is working superbly. Most importantly, it allows our students and school staff to learn and teach in comfort – the whole year round,” she said.
Ms Henry said construction of the new system was a major project – with new ducting and insulation required throughout the two blocks. Installation was completed in two stages, and timed so as to have minimum disruption to student learning and school operations.
Gillen Primary School has a student population of approximately 250 students, some 70 per cent of which are Indigenous.