IF a State Labor government is elected next month, Woodmans Hill Secondary College will gain a new learning centre, building extension and upgrade.<\/p>\n
Worth more than $8.5 million, a new year 7 centre on the school\u2019s front corner, an expansion of the VCE building, and a freshen-up of the integrated learning space have been pledged by Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle, the Labor candidate for new electorate, Eureka.<\/p>\n
Principal Stephan Fields said the separate building for the youngest cohort will aim to support them in their transition to secondary school.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have lots on our agenda, but this time, we had to go with the heart, and what the students need is the year 7 centre,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want students to feel as if year 7 is the most exciting time. Our vision is to have a flexible learning environment where they can feel safe and connected.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt doesn\u2019t mean we\u2019re going to take away the high school experience. We\u2019re going to make sure they\u2019ve got access to the art rooms, science rooms, and still feel part of the school.<\/p>\n
\u201cResearch shows that there\u2019s benefits to the opportunity to group students together, to be able to do authentic differentiation, and to bring together expertise in team teaching and support.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Settle said starting secondary school can be a big change for a child, and their family.<\/p>\n
\u201cA dedicated year 7 building… would help students transition to a new, larger school in a welcoming environment,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAn extension to the VCE centre would allow senior students to prepare for their exams in a modern space.<\/p>\n
\u201cWoodmans Hill provides an amazing education, and the teachers, like all teachers in our region, are passionate about giving every child the best start in life. These new facilities would help do just that.\u201d<\/p>\n
The college\u2019s enrolments have boomed in recent years, with 100-plus year 7 students in 2022. The school\u2019s zone reaches as far as Ballan.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been consistent. A lot of that comes down to the trust we\u2019ve got within the community that we\u2019ve built, and maintained,\u201d Mr Fields said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy 2030 we\u2019re due to have 650 students, but I think we\u2019ll probably get there much sooner. Maintaining connection is important.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
IF a State Labor government is elected next month, Woodmans Hill Secondary College will gain a new learning centre, building extension and upgrade. Worth more than $8.5 million, a new year 7 centre on the school\u2019s front corner, an expansion of the VCE building, and a freshen-up of the integrated learning space have been pledged […]<\/p>\n