Giralang Primary School opened in 1977. It is shares the name of the suburb in which it resides. The suburb is named after the word in the language of the Wiradhuri Aboriginal tribe of the Central West of New South Wales, meaning star.
All streets in Giralang are named after Aboriginal words for stars, astronomers and constellations seen from the southern hemisphere. This theme continues into our school and is reflected in our school logo, sporting houses and our commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island education.
Our School Building
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 modelled 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 the places in the ACT included on the RAIA National Heritage Register.