Eastern Hills Senior High School

The project was delivered in an active school environment, with all works taking place while the school remained open and fully operational. A core consideration throughout the project was the live nature of the site. To manage this effectively, Swan maintained an open and consistent line of communication with school representatives. This included the use of a two-week lookahead program, which provided advance notice of planned works, including any potentially disruptive or noisy activities. The program ensured school staff could make any necessary adjustments to scheduling, classroom use or student movement around the refurbishment zones. Maintaining safety and limiting disruption in a live education environment required strict staging and clear delineation between construction and active school areas. The site team coordinated daily with the school to manage access, deliveries and onsite activities without affecting normal school operations.

Scope of refurbishment works

The project scope included the complete fitout of the existing canteen and food studio areas. All redundant fixtures, fittings and finishes were removed as part of the initial strip-out phase, followed by the staged installation of new building services and finishes. The full electrical upgrade included new lighting, power points and infrastructure to support modern kitchen appliances. Hydraulic services were also replaced, providing new plumbing connections and fixtures. Mechanical services were brought up to current standards with the installation of new ventilation systems, including rangehoods to service the cooking areas. New appliances were supplied and installed throughout, tailored to the functional needs of a teaching kitchen and canteen. A key design requirement was accessibility. Swan ensured that all appliances and benchtops in the food studios were wheelchair accessible. This included appropriate bench heights, reach zones and clearances around equipment to allow ease of use for all students and staff. The project included the installation of stainless steel joinery in food preparation zones to meet durability and hygiene standards. New standard joinery was installed across other areas, providing a mix of functionality and storage options. The new stainless steel rangehoods were fitted above cooking stations to ensure safe and effective extraction. Refurbishment of the existing ceilings formed part of the overall upgrade. These works were completed while retaining structural elements, contributing to a refreshed visual finish and improved service integration without requiring a full ceiling replacement.

Delivering functional, inclusive spaces

The outcome of the project is a fully refurbished set of facilities that support contemporary food education and canteen operations at Eastern Hills Senior High School. The works delivered modern, fit-for-purpose spaces designed for high-frequency use within an educational environment. The project met all functional requirements outlined in the scope, with Swan’s team coordinating trades and suppliers to deliver a cohesive and high-quality finish. Despite the constraints of operating within a live school setting, the refurbishment was completed with no major disruptions to school operations. Swan Group’s methodical approach to planning, stakeholder engagement and site execution contributed to a streamlined delivery process. Throughout the project, a consistent focus was maintained on user safety, accessibility, and minimising impact on teaching activities. The successful delivery of this fitout demonstrates Swan’s capability in managing complex refurbishment projects in sensitive, live environments. The Eastern Hills SHS upgrade reflects Swan’s practical experience across the education sector and its ability to coordinate detailed fitout programs to meet functional, compliance and timeline requirements.