Last year the school faced significant uncertainty over its future.

A merger with Eaglehawk North Primary School was earmarked by the government but was then scrapped after campaigning from the school community.

Since then, Eaglehawk identity Gordon McKern, who led the way for the school to remain open, has been working to reinvigorate the school.

This week contracts will be signed for a $2.85 million renovation of the heritage-listed building.

“Stage one works include a new slate roof, a new toilet block, new computer cabling and various other maintenance works,” Mr McKern said.

It is hoped stage one works will begin as soon as next week and be completed by the start of school next year.

“That will be followed by stage two next year, which will concentrate on improving conditions inside the school for teachers and students, new carpets, new floor coverings, new desks and a new front entrance,” Mr McKern said.

“It is an 1870s building and the front entrance reflects that, so we want to make it more user-friendly.

“As much as possible, we want to make the whole school building better for people with a disability.”

This week the school has also signed up a new principal, Kerrie McMillin.

Ms McMillin, a past principal at Inglewood Primary School, will take over from acting principal Neville Sharpe.

Next year is set to be a big one for enrolments, too. So far student numbers for 2012 are 30 per cent up on this year.

“There are 117 enrolled already for next year and that’s growing every day,” Mr McKern said.

“Of that there are 17 preps, which is three times as many as this time last year.”

As part of the ongoing redevelopment, Eaglehawk Primary School is holding a community barbecue in Dr Catford Park next Friday, November 25.

Contact the school for details.