Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things.
- Psalm 98:1
This fitting verse has been inscribed into the commemoration plaque of Nambucca Valley Christian Community School's brand new auditorium - a 'marvelous' new multi-purpose facility which was filled with song on Friday at its grand opening.
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The hall's launch marks the completion of the fifth stage of development at the school over the past six years - a process which has seen enrolments quintuple.
Related content: sod turned on new 'capstone' auditorium
Primary school captain Talitha Williams described the changes she's witnessed over the past three years she's attended the school; a new logo, playground equipment, musical instruments, new year levels which now span from K-12 and new classrooms to house them all.
An impressive $7 million has been invested during this period of growth, with $3 million provided through state and federal government grants, and the school community rallying to contribute $4 million.
The final costings of the auditorium came in at $2.8 million, with a million of that coming from the federal government.
"That contribution has already brought a million smiles," Principal Jeff Allen said.
But for current students, who were able to take shelter from last week's rain in the hall for the first time, the building is priceless.
"They say high school years are the best of your life, but I believe the best are yet to come. Here at NVCCS we have been given the facilities, teachers and resources with which to grow," high school captain Isabella Shepherd said.
The hall will now serve as a state-of-the-art space for performing arts, sports, school assemblies and meetings.
"I know that your new first-class facility will give you the best opportunity to excel in your learning journey," Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan said, choosing to attend the auditorium opening over the Australian Hydrogen Forum in Sydney.
"It gives me great pleasure to declare the facilities open."
Students got to test the acoustics of the new space with musical numbers before the ribbon and cake were officially cut.
The school has one more development stage planned for 2020, with new high school classrooms a major focus.
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Mel Leigh Dee
Mel is a journalist at the Guardian News and is based in Macksville.
Mel is a journalist at the Guardian News and is based in Macksville.
