VCE studies at Cornish College received a significant boost today with the announcement of funding to build a new Senior Studies Centre. The purpose-built Centre will embrace its environment, sitting in a natural setting of 100 acres and overlooking the school’s wetlands.

The announcement was made by the Minister for Education, The Hon. James Merlino MP, with $2,000,000 provided by the Victorian Government from the Capital Funding Program for Non-Government Schools. This will be matched by Cornish College to provide around $4,000,000 funding overall.

The contemporary learning environment will support senior students in the successful completion of their VCE and in making the transition to tertiary studies. Principal Ms Vicki Steer explained some of the benefits: “The new Centre will provide spaces for formal and small group teaching. We recognise that learning is not confined to classrooms though and the large, open plan areas will support incidental learning too. Importantly, the space will provide opportunities for independent study, collaboration, coaching and mentoring, informal interactions and relaxation, to support students’ rounded development into successful young people.”

 

Ms Steer added: “Cornish College’s unique position with 100 acre grounds and wetlands offers an incredible resource to benefit learning. The new Senior Studies Centre will draw on this resource providing an immediate physical connection with the outdoors, promoting wellbeing and provide a light, airy environment in which to learn and achieve”.

The building has been designed by McGlashan Everist Architects, and takes learnings from tertiary institutions and contemporary activity-based work settings. It will have the capacity to benefit around 200 senior students.

College Board Chair, Reverend Dr Robert Johnson, is delighted by today’s announcement. He said: “Approval to build the new Senior Studies Centre is another major milestone for Cornish College and demonstrates our commitment to support teaching and learning of the established VCE program within the Senior School. The College has come a long way in a relatively small amount of time thanks to a vibrant and committed community of supportive parents and staff who really do make a difference in the lives of our students. We would like to thank the State Government for their support as this funding enables construction that would not otherwise be possible.”

The design phase for the new Senior Studies Centre is currently being completed and work on the new building is expected to begin in 2018. The Centre will welcome its first students in the 2019 academic year.

Key benefits of the new Senior Studies Centre include:

  • Flexible teaching and learning spaces to enable formal, informal and small group study
  • Unique outlook and indoor/outdoor study environment overlooking wetlands
  • Embracing technology to reflect future workplace environments and help prepare students for further studies
  • Space to connect with friends informally and socially with comfortable common areas featuring fireplaces and home-away-from-home furniture
  • Study spaces shared with the teaching team, providing a greater opportunity for better educational, social and emotional support and outcomes.

 

 

  • Date: 22 November 2017
  • For immediate release
  • Contact: Rhiannon Matthews or Kelly Williams on 9781 9000