New facilities boost learning

GEELONG Lutheran College celebrated the official opening of a designated bus parking area and two new basketball and netball courts earlier this week at its Armstrong Creek campus.

The $2.6 million project, which was opened on Monday by Corangamite federal member Libby Coker and executive principal Sue Ellis, features a new road on the campus’ eastern boundary with five parking bays for the school’s bus fleet and a bus turnaround.

Ms Ellis said, after several years of operating out of the staff car park, the new bus parking area would help to reduce congestion and free up parking space for both staff and visitors.

Speaking at the opening on Monday, Ms Ellis said the school community was grateful to partner with the federal government to deliver the new facilities.

“While the two components of this project are very different, what they have in common in that they set GLC Armstrong Creek up well to cater for the increasing numbers of students who walk through our gates over the next few years.

“Most importantly, however, the new road and parking bays have improved safety for our students, making it easier for the nearly 500 students catching buses on a full or part-time basis.

“And our two new basketball and netball courts have not only doubled the number of outdoor courts [at the campus] but have enabled our primary and secondary students to have courts for their exclusive use.”

College captain Casey Sanders, federal member for Corangamite Libby Coker, GLC health, PE and sport faculty leader Hamish Flavell, GLC sports coordinator Nathan Berry, executive principal Sue Ellis and college captain Lucille Graham.

The upgrades were jointly funded by Geelong Lutheran College and the federal government, with the government contributing $1.4 million through its capital grants program, which is aimed at improving infrastructure in non-government schools.

“At Geelong Lutheran College, the teachers, staff and students have cultivated a positive and close-knit community, and these new facilities will further support and improve educational prospects for local students,” Ms Coker said.

Ms Coker also opened a new $10 million learning centre last week at Iona College Geelong in Charlemont, also funded through the capital grants program.

Federal member for Corangamite Libby Coker on the new basketball and netball courts with college captains Casey Sanders and Lucille Graham.

The Columbia Specialist Centre and Francis Centre of Courage offers the school more modern facilities for its science, arts and digital technology students, as well as a new building to house its library and administration services.

“The teachers, staff and students at Iona College Geelong have built a strong and positive school community and these new facilities will further enhance our local educational opportunities,” Ms Coker said.

“Our government strongly believes in providing the best possible resources so that local students can realise their potential and develop the skills they need to go on to further study or to find a job.”