Singing praises for a new multipurpose hall

The acoustics of a new Building the Education Revolution funded multipurpose hall were aptly tested by a chorus of children at a recent opening ceremony. The 22 special guests who form the Watoto Ugandan Choir helped to celebrate the opening of the Spring Head Trinity Lutheran School hall.

The hall was funded $845,606 through the Building the Education Revolution Primary Schools for the 21st Century program. Additional funding of $75,000 was granted through the National School Pride program for general school refurbishments.

Spring Head Principal Tori Weiss said the impact of the building project had extended well beyond the school grounds. “The BER funding was a blessing, providing more opportunities both for the school and the wider community while also bolstering support for local employment,” Ms Weiss said.

“We engaged about 19 different local businesses for everything from the supply of doors to building and fitting a new kitchen.”

The school is located between Charleston and Mt Torrens east of Adelaide. It was originally erected more than 150 years ago in 1856, with the entire school consisting of only one room and a lean-to. The new hall and refurbishments are standout moments in the character-filled journey of the school.

The local community was able to enjoy the new hall and the wonderful performances of the choir, with about 700 people attending two recital sessions. The children’s choir is made up of orphans between the ages of eight and 14 years. The children perform African gospel music and dance routines. The Watoto choir program is aiming to support 10 000 Ugandan children by 2023.

The school principal described the performance as an unforgettable experience. “We feel really fortunate to have been visited by them and it was great to be able to share it and the new facilities with the local community,” Ms Weiss said. “I think it was a really powerful way for our kids to see life from a different perspective”.

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