An unusual beginning

Giralang Primary School opened in 1977.

As a result of some confusion in planning, the suburb of Giralang was built before the school, while a school had been built in neighbouring Kaleen before any housing! So students from Giralang travelled to and from Kaleen Primary (which was known as Giralang Primary School) by bus until our school opened in 1977.

A stimulating environment

The design of the school buildings reflected the latest international education trends, and immediately won acclaim for their innovation. In 1997,the buildings won the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) ACT Medallion (the most prestigious award for architectural excellence in Canberra).

 “I inspected Giralang Primary School this morning. May I say how delighted I was at the joyfully creative design. It is a school modeled for children, full of interest, unusual corners and nooks, and yet with an… overarching majestic quality in its total architecture.”
  - ACT Chief Education Officer Dec 1976. 

The school was designed by highly respected local architect, Mr Enrico Taglietti The unique design creates a learning environment that is second to none while creating an atmosphere of fun and drama.

 “It is like an adventure playground turned to educational use,”
  - European architectural magazine ‘Architectural Review’,1978.

 In 1996, the buildings were nominated for heritage listing.

Giralang School is the only government school listed on the RAIA ACT Register of Significant 20th Century Architecture and one of 13 places in the ACT included on the RAIA National Heritage Register.

Innovation in Computing

Computers and the Internet were first introduced to Giralang classrooms in 1995, making the school the first in the ACT to embrace information the use of IT in teaching.

Giralang was also the first school  to use  IT in administration. The School Based Financial Management system now used throughout the ACT was developed at Giralang.

Towards 2020

In 2006, the ACT Government’s Towards 2020 educational plan proposed that the school be closed. The P&C established the Save the School Steering Committee to develop a response to the plan and fight to save the school. The committee was successful in saving the school – the school remains unconditionally open into the future.