All up, there were 184 pupils at the school. 

Aside from children beginning their school lives, there was more exciting news to be announced.

The school has purchased a section of the old Spenco land from Spotlight Group Holdings.

Measuring over two acres, this land adjoining the current campus will be used to build new Kindergarten classrooms. 

Mumbulla School business manager Hallie Fernandez approached Spotlight a few years ago to see if they were interested in selling a section of their land to the school.

“Spotlight Group have been very professional to work with,” Ms Fernandez said. 

“We are so grateful that everyone involved had a focus on creating a wonderful opportunity for our current and future students, families and staff."

Mumbulla School engaged local consultant town planner Garrett Barry to advise them during the development application process.

A new Kindergarten has been a priority in the Mumbulla School Strategic Plan for a number of years.

The current Kindergarten building was originally a commercial laundry and was converted to classrooms for the school to open in 1988.

Kindergarten teacher and founding member of the school Chrisanthi McManus was bursting with excitement about the new land purchase.

“With so many special memories, we will all continue to hold the current Kindergarten rooms in our hearts,” Ms McManus said.

“However, during this process of designing a new Kindergarten, the teacher in me cannot wait to work in a new building which will be purpose built for Kindergarten needs.”

In late 2017 the school's Master Planning Group secured a grant for $450,000 from the Commonwealth Government Block Grant Authority to help fund the new building. 

With this new land purchase, Mumbulla School have a blank canvas to work with.

The portion of the land above the flood zone will be the building site. The rest of the land, running all the way to the front of Spenco Lagoon, holds a myriad of possibilities for the children and teachers of Mumbulla School.

There have already been extensive environmental assessments completed and after council approval, the community will start to see some remediation work take place on the land. 

The Commonwealth grant goes part-way to cover the cost of a new Kindergarten building. The school has a building fund which anyone can contribute to. All donations are tax deductible. Contact the Mumbulla School’s finance department for more information on 6492 3476 or finance@mumbullaschool.com.au.