Northern Rivers students are celebrating a new chapter as they move into newly-rebuilt, flood-resilient schools at Wardell Public School and Empire Vale Public School, two years after they were extensively damaged in the devastating 2022 floods.

The new Empire Vale Public School welcomed students back last week, and features three new classrooms, a new library, canteen, new landscaping and trees, new play equipment, and new administration and staff facilities.

The historic school has been an important part of the local community for nearly 150 years, and the rebuild allowed for the retention of the original school building.

At Wardell Public School, the newly rebuilt school includes four new classrooms, a new library, a new canteen, a new front office, new administration and staff areas, and the continuation of Jumbunna Sugartown Preschool next to the school site.

Wardell Public School and Empire Vale Public School have been rebuilt using flood-resilient design, with the capacity to withstand possible future flooding events.

Key resilience measures include raising core school facilities off the ground on a steel structure, using resilient materials throughout the new buildings and designing downstairs amenities that are easy to clean and restore if inundated with water.

On the Far North Coast, flood repair works were also completed at Mullumbimby High School earlier this year.

Improvements have been made to the school’s hall, library, food technology facilities, performance area, gym, and staff spaces.

Flood restorations have also been completed on the school’s sports fields, playgrounds and sport courts.

The flood resilience of the school grounds and buildings has also been improved, and planned maintenance, including the replacement of seven roofs, has been completed.

This is part of the NSW Government’s investment in rebuilding public education in NSW, and commitment to ensuring critical flood recovery works are delivered to the Northern Rivers community.

Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“It is wonderful to see flood recovery works completed and students returning to permanent facilities at Wardell Public School and Empire Vale Public School.

“These school communities have been through significant upheaval since the floods of 2022, and it is pleasing that students and staff will now have new, permanent facilities to learn in every day.

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to working with the Northern Rivers community to rebuild and replace school infrastructure damaged in the floods.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Early Learning Greg Warren said:

“It is fantastic to be here in the Northern Rivers to welcome students, staff and families back to these new, fully rebuilt and flood-resilient schools.

“These are some magnificent new facilities for staff and students to enjoy and I look forward to seeing the benefits that these wonderful new schools will deliver for the local communities for generations to come.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin said:

“I know the Empire Vale and Wardell communities have been looking forward to returning to their permanent schools after the devastation of the 2022 floods.

“These communities have shown tremendous strength in difficult circumstances, and it is fantastic to see the schools now returned to permanent facilities.”

Empire Vale Public School Principal Bonita Avery said:

“We are beyond excited to be returning to these wonderful new facilities at our much-loved school.

“Empire Vale Public School has always been the hub of our small community, and losing the school in the devastating floods of 2022 had a huge impact on us all. Our students have remained our highest priority, and I would like to thank staff and families for your support and patience during this process.

“I look forward to starting a new chapter with this community, and for Empire Vale Public School once again becoming the heart of our community, where learning, growth, and community connections thrive.”

Wardell Public School Principal Kim Wheatland said:

"We are thrilled our new school has been built back stronger, with state-of-the-art features designed to withstand potential flooding.

“I also want to acknowledge the resilience and flexibility of our teachers and students and thank our neighbours and the parent community for their incredible support throughout the rebuild.

“I look forward to working together as Wardell Public School enters this exciting new chapter."