A western suburbs public high school has thrown its support behind a nearby Renewal SA residential redevelopment, applauding its long-term benefits for the community.
Seaton High School, located directly opposite the first parcel of land being redeveloped by Renewal SA as part of its Seaton rejuvenation project, is set to benefit from the delivery of 1,452 new homes over the next 10 years.
Richard Abell, Principal of Seaton High School, has long been a supporter of the project.
“The environment that you live in, and the environment you work in as a school is really important,” Mr Abell said.
“The nicer the environment, the better it is for the total impact of the community. Anything that improves the facilities and the amenities are nothing but a plus.”
With strong community ties and its proximity to the development, Seaton High School has played an important role in the planning and early delivery of the project.
The school has hosted community consultation events and involved students in providing input into the redevelopment.
“In the early stages there was a fair bit of community consultation, and we had the opportunity to both host that for the local community but also had some opportunities for students and the community to have direct input into it,” Mr Abell said.
Construction has now begun on the first 27 privately owned homes within the initial stage of the redevelopment, following extensive civil works to prepare the land.
The site directly opposite the school, bounded by Frederick Road, Glenburnie Street, Lark Avenue, and Matthews Avenue, is earmarked for 137 new houses, townhouses, and apartments, to be completed within the next two years.
A new community park will also be developed, featuring wetlands, trees, green lawns, shaded areas, and BBQ facilities, stretching from Matthews Avenue to Glenburnie Street.
“We’re very happy,” Mr Abell said.
“It seems as if it’s going to have some nice links from the development into the school, and to have that flow through connection is really important.”
Seaton High School also underwent a major redevelopment in 2024. The $19.8 million upgrade included a new two-storey mixed-use building housing administration services, 21st-century learning spaces, a resource centre, senior school services, and improved street frontage.
Aging infrastructure and old transportable buildings were removed to make way for a new entrepreneurial hub with modern indoor and outdoor learning spaces and breakout areas.
Several existing buildings were also refurbished to accommodate a revitalised arts, music, and drama precinct.
Mr Abell expects some of the new residents moving into the area will become students at Seaton High School and, thanks to the school’s recent redevelopment, there will be room to welcome them.
“We are currently at about 1000 students, but our recent redevelopment sets our official capacity closer to 1200,” he said.
“We look forward to being able to welcome more students, some of which will come from this development.”
Renewal SA’s Seaton development is a partnership initiative with the South Australian Housing Trust.
Described as a once-in-a-generation transformation, the project aims to offer a well-connected lifestyle within an established and welcoming community.
Set for completion by 2035, the development will deliver a mix of standalone homes and townhouses, affordable privately owned homes, affordable rental apartments, brand-new fit-for-purpose Housing Trust homes, and community infrastructure.
“Public schools, like Seaton High School, are community organisations and improvements such as quality, affordable housing and related infrastructure, like the reserves included in this development, will do much to enhance that sense of community and connection,” Mr Abell said.
“We look forward to the families moving into these new homes becoming members of our school community, either now or in the future.”