132 preschoolers will join new school in Throsby, and have their say in school name

Local preschool children have been invited to join families, teachers, community organisations and the broader Canberra community in voting for the name of Canberra’s newest school, to be located in the suburb of Throsby. 

The 132 preschoolers will join a cohort of 450 students from Kindergarten to Year Six when the school opens its doors in 2022. As well as having an influence on the name of the school, the school uniform will be chosen from four design concepts which are based on the natural habitat of the region, and will also be selected by the community. 

The name of the new school will be selected from a shortlist of distinguished Australians whose contribution is related to the suburb theme of Throsby. These names were shortlisted by the Place Names Committee following consultation with the Office of the Surveyor-General and Land Information and families of the nominees. These Australians are:

• Clifford ‘Possum’ Tjapaltjarri
• John Calaby
• Shirley Jeffrey
• Charles Throsby

The school has been designed to accommodate future student growth. It will also be the ACT’s third zero-emissions school, building on the ACT Government’s commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2045.

Annamaria Zuffo has been appointed as the founding principal of the school, and is said to be looking forward to establishing a collaborative place of learning where students, staff and community can build a vision for the future and where all students are welcomed and successful.

“As well as providing for the educational needs of our young people, schools are also important hubs for the local community and provide facilities for many local clubs and groups,” Education Minister Yvette Berry said. 

“The new school in Throsby will be the first community facility for the area and will include a large community room and kitchenette, multipurpose double gym, sports courts, and change-room facilities, as well as an outdoor turf sports field and outdoor multipurpose hard courts for everyone to enjoy.”

For more information about the school please see here.