At last week’s public hearing, assistant principal Ros Smith said there were various issues to address, such as requiring students to access an asbestos-filled music room via a carpark; a limited capacity for whole-school occasions; "non-existent" disabled access; and a canteen that was difficult to supervise.

“It is essential that we are able to provide our students with a range of opportunities and support them in achieving education outcomes which are not hindered, but enhanced by our rural, isolated and very strong community,” she said. 

All of these issues would be addressed in the $5 million development. Ms Smith said the gym was the one space where all students could meet but it was cold, has no stage and poor acoustics. 

“Our current school hall is too small to comfortably fit the students and even if you can squeeze them in, we are unable to fit parents or community members into the space,” she said.   

Parliamentary committee member Lyons Labor MHA (and previous St Marys student) David Llewellyn said some parts of the school hadn’t been updated since he sang God Save the King in the quadrangle. 

Department of Education asset planning manager Todd Williams said the redevelopment would have more fully enclosed covered areas, flexible learning spaces, improving class room sizes and would consider areas for further expansion. 

“The facilities are very dated … they don’t provide modern education (opportunities) that schools should have,” he said. “The support and staff areas are seriously lacking and the amenities.”

Ms Smith said the school would be picking up three classrooms for music, but six classrooms would be renovated to be more efficient. 

She said the students had been heavily involved in the redevelopment process. 

“The whole school and the extended community is really excited about the prospect of upgrading our 1950s facilities,” she said.  The committee will now deliberate the hearing before the report is tabled in parliament.