The first sod was turned on Monday by the school principal, Linda Langton and Education Minister, Rob Stokes to mark the beginning of construction.

The new, two-level building will consist of six innovative science classrooms, a staff study space, seminar rooms and an outdoor learning area. Prework will begin this Thursday to clear the site for the building, with construction expected to begin at the end of this term, Mrs Langton said.

The building has been funded by a $6 billion NSW government program, announced in June 2017, to upgrade over 170 schools.

The Education Minister said the STEM building was an exciting investment and represented how the skills required by today’s workforce have changed over the past ten or 20 years.

“I am pleased that the NSW government’s historic education infrastructure spending is making a difference for school communities and providing the education resources our students need now, and into the future,” Mr Stokes said.

Member for Goulburn Pru Goward also attended the sod turning ceremony and welcomed the build.

“We want our children to have the best education possible, and providing a high-quality and modern environment is a key part of that,” she said.

Also in attendance was the Liberal candidate for Goulburn, Wendy Tuckerman to talk to the Education Minister about the school’s need for a bigger hall.

The school was built for 300 students and currently has near to 600, who can no longer fit in the existing hall, Ms Goward said.

The Yass Valley Council and NSW Department of Education are currently working on plans for a multi-purpose indoor sports centre at the school, that could also be used by the community.

Ms Tuckerman said if elected in March, she would be pushing to secure the funding for the new hall.

The opposition, Labor candidate for Goulburn, Dr Ursula Stephens said if elected she would be pursuing council and the department’s proposal.