Shepparton students and families are a step closer to having the state-of-the-art secondary school facilities they deserve, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Education James Merlino today attended a “topping out” ceremony at the building site of Greater Shepparton Secondary College, marking the structural completion of the school’s five separate buildings: three Neighbourhood Buildings, an Innovation and Enterprise Centre, and the gymnasium.
The Neighbourhood Buildings each feature modern classrooms, a canteen, and an atrium with tiered seating and rooftop garden area. Each building incorporates three Houses, providing more intimate and inclusive settings for students.
The school is being built by Hansen Yuncken, having been designed by architects Gray Puksand. It will deliver the modern, contemporary facilities Greater Shepparton’s public secondary students have lacked for decades. In May, the Labor Government announced a $119 million investment to see the project through to completion for the commencement of the 2022 school year.
Hansen Yuncken has had more than 800 workers inducted on site. On average, more than 250 workers are on site every day – a number that will rise as the project progresses to completion for the start of the 2022 school year. Three-quarters of the contractors working on the school are from Greater Shepparton. 90 percent of Hansen Yuncken’s on-site workers are local.
Mr Merlino also announced the House names and colours, chosen by current Greater Shepparton Secondary College students, that will follow future students of the school for generations to come. Water is the lifeblood of the Goulburn Valley, a connection reflected in the students’ selection of rivers as the theme of the House names.
Neighbourhood Building 1 will be the home for students from the Ovens, Murray and Lachlan houses. Their colours will be navy, teal and lime. Neighbourhood Building 2 will be the home of Campaspe, Goulburn and Kiewa students, with their colours being red, orange and purple. Neighbourhood Building 3 will be the home of Warrego, Murrumbidgee and Loddon, with their colours being blue, yellow and forest green.
Next year, the Neighbourhood Buildings will each be given Indigenous names that reflect the heritage of our longest surviving cultures.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino
“We are delivering transformational change and investing in Greater Shepparton’s young people to give them improved educational outcomes and opportunities in life.”
“Students will experience a small school environment while enjoying the subject choices and pathways only a large school can provide.”
“We thank builders Hansen Yuncken for their careful site management and COVID-19 precautions that have allowed this building site to continue employing local contractors and workers throughout 2020.”
Reviewed 16 December 2020