St Bernard’s Primary School, Upper Mt Gravatt, has opened its newly renovated Penola Building, marking an important milestone in the school’s ongoing commitment to high‑quality early years education.
The upgrade follows a significant year for the school, which celebrated 70 years of educating local families in 2025. Originally built in the 1970s, the Penola Building has supported generations of learners and has now been thoughtfully reimagined to reflect how children learn today.
Principal Daniel Hodge said the redevelopment was both a celebration of the school’s history and a forward‑looking investment in its future.
“The Penola Building has been part of St Bernard’s story for decades,” Daniel said. “It was time to give it an upgrade that reflects how children learn today. We designed a space for the kids of today — one that supports their wellbeing, curiosity and love of learning.”
The renewed precinct now houses Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 students in bright, flexible classrooms designed to support a range of learning styles. Adaptable layouts, modern furnishings and access to natural light allow teachers to create engaging learning environments that respond to individual student needs.
Importantly, the design also supports contemporary teaching practice.
“These spaces give teachers the flexibility to respond to pedagogy,” Daniel said. “They support explicit teaching, inquiry‑based learning and collaboration, allowing educators to adapt their approach and create meaningful learning experiences for every child.”
A key feature of the upgrade is the new corridor learning hub, which extends learning beyond the classroom. This shared space encourages creativity, small‑group work and collaboration across early years classes, giving students greater choice and agency in how they learn.
Students are also enjoying a newly completed playground and landscaped outdoor areas, providing opportunities for active play, exploration and connection with nature throughout the school day.
Daniel said the project reflects St Bernard’s strong sense of community and its commitment to nurturing young learners from their very first years of schooling.
“These upgrades are about more than buildings,” he said. “They’re about creating welcoming, inspiring spaces where children feel confident, supported and excited to learn.”
With Prep students already settled into their new learning environment, the Penola Building is now a vibrant hub of early years learning at St Bernard’s, supporting strong foundations for lifelong learning.
Prep 2027 Enrolments Now Open
Enrolments for Prep 2027 at St Bernard’s are now open, with interviews currently underway. Families are invited to explore our welcoming early years spaces and discover the nurturing start we offer our youngest learners.