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$30 million new school a jewel in the inner south

Wednesday, 30 November 2011

Environmentally sustainable design, exceptional use of space and a focus on high quality education are among the key features of the new $30 million Albert Park College.

Education Minister Martin Dixon officially opened the school today, which has been completely rebuilt since the old school closed down in 2006.

"Today is a landmark day, drawing to a close an ambitious project to rebirth a key school in Melbourne's inner south," Mr Dixon said.

"Locals will remember the former Albert Park Secondary College – it was old, run-down and enrolments were in a downward spiral.

"The school has come a long way since then, with the new buildings a wonderful reflection of the hard work that went into this project, the facilities are fantastic and families are queuing up to send their children here."

Mr Dixon said Albert Park College was a vital part of the Victorian Government's education plan for Melbourne's inner south, which is facing unprecedented growth.

"Parents recognise that this school is state-of-the-art: it is environmentally friendly, it is equipped with an array of technology, it is comfortable to learn in and, most importantly, the staff are outstanding," Mr Dixon said.

The school community has established partnerships with a number of local organisations, and basketball legend and school alumnus Andrew Gaze is on board to run the Basketball Academy.

Mr Dixon said the school was remarkable due to the number of facilities packed into the small available space, with two of the three buildings three storeys tall.

Despite being on a site of less than a hectare in size, the school still boasts a physical education centre, performing arts centre and open learning spaces.

The school began this year with 151 year 7 students, and will take on a year 7 cohort each year.

The Victorian Coalition Government allocated $208 million in capital works funding for new and upgraded schools in this year's State Budget and announced the establishment of a $100 million school maintenance fund to help tackle Labor's school maintenance backlog.

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