Staff and students of Bondi Beach Primary School will get a welcome surprise once schools return to face-to-face learning, after repairs were completed and the school restored following severe fire damage last month.

Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said she was delighted that the repairs had been made quickly so that the school community could return to their own learning environments, playground and staffrooms.

“It’s been a great team effort by about 40 construction workers, tradespeople and suppliers and has resulted in the school being restored to top condition within a very short timeframe,” Ms Mitchell said.

“The new classrooms will be a special bonus for returning students when learning from home settings are removed as a result of the pandemic.”

The fire destroyed four classrooms, adjacent storerooms and a hallway. Smoke damage on the first floor of the building also damaged the roof, which had been replaced previously.

Repairs have also included electrical restoration work, cleaning, painting and replacement of floor coverings.

Member for Vaucluse Gabrielle Upton said she was grateful that repairs were done so quickly to give students, teachers and staff the opportunity to return to newly restored classrooms when current COVID-19 restrictions allow.

“After the devastating fire last month at Bondi Beach Public School I am so pleased to see that it has been restored to the highest standards,” Ms Upton said.

“I want to thank both the local Bondi Beach and Bellevue Hill Public School communities, who pulled together to support the school during this difficult time.”