By Derek Schlennstedt
Minister for Education James Merlino joined students and teachers on 15 November to officially open Monbulk College’s new $7.57 million facility.
The striking architecturally designed building houses four general-purpose classrooms, a staff lounge, office space and two ICT rooms.
Speaking at the event, Mr Merlino said the new developments give students access to cutting-edge 21st century learning facilities.
“Students need new skills and technologies so they can thrive in the future – great facilities like this will give our young people the tools to succeed in our fast moving world,” Mr Merlino said.
“We are transforming Monbulk College with exciting new developments worth over $20 million – when they’re all completed the school will look very different from when we first came into government.”
Previous stages already completed have included a new two-storey administration and resource building featuring new classrooms, a library and toilets, as well as a new $8,700 adjustable basketball hoop.
Future upgrades include a new arts and fabric classrooms and improvements to the oval. New lighting for the oval and ground surface improvement have already been delivered, with new change rooms also set to be completed.
An additional $935,000 has been invested to commence planning for the delivery of the $9.3 million election commitment from the Labor Government to deliver upgraded home economics and general purpose classrooms.
Mr Merlino also announced the school would receive an additional $631,000 through the recent Labor Government School Maintenance Blitz, to upgrade the school gym to improve its shelters in Place standards for fire. The extra funding will allow for upgrades to improve the place of last resort for the community during the fire season.
