Nestled beside the Richmond River and under the Nightcap Range escarpment, Public School is a rural primary school located on the Traditional Lands of the Bundjalung Nation in the Northern Rivers Region. Serving students from Kindergarten to Year 6, the school is deeply connected to its riverside setting and close-knit community. Positioned within the historic village of Wardell on the banks of the Richmond River, the school reflects the area's rich timber milling heritage, agricultural character and strong sense of local identity around items such as the lift span bridge.

When the devastating 2022 floods swept through the Northern Rivers, they took more than homes and infrastructure—they disrupted childhoods, separated communities, and left many schools at the heart of their towns damaged or lost. In the years that followed, Pedavoli Architects became part of the region's recovery through the Northern Rivers Flood Recovery Program. As a response to the flood planning requirements, a new ground plane was established at the first floor level, uniting the school functions in a flood resilient and accessible manner.

Initially engaged by the Department of Education to undertake site due diligence studies and master planning across seven sites, Pedavoli Architects later worked alongside ADCO Constructions to deliver six new flood-resistant public schools using modern methods of construction, where building components manufactured off-site before being assembled on location. Throughout the process, the practice worked closely with local communities and First Nations Elders to ensure each school reflected its place, culture and people.

By 2026, the six replacement schools—Wardell, Empire Vale, Broadwater, Blakebrook, Tumbulgum and Condong Public Schools—had all been completed, marking an important milestone in the region's recovery.