Construction is underway at Ballarat High School with local building company SJ Weir starting a $7.8 million project to create a new senior learning centre and upgrade other buildings.
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Science laboratories, flexible learning spaces, a lecture theatre as well as study and common areas for year 12s will be contained in the new senior centre on the Gillies St side of the school.
The project also includes a refurbishment of the J.J. Sheehan Wing of the school on Sturt St to create a specialised learning centre for year seven and eight students, upgrades to the change rooms and stadium wall surfaces of the Arch Gymnasium, and other minor landscaping works.
Vice principal Michele Kennedy said the new senior learning centre and refurbishment of the JJ Sheehan wing would project a new face to both Gillies and Sturt streets.
Building works are expected to be completed in 18 months, and will start immediately.
“It will be an exciting day when we open the doors to our new facilities and the opportunities these provide for engaging learning,” said principal Gary Palmer.
“We are pleased to be working with local builder SJ Weir who have a strong commitment to our project and a personal connection to our school.”
The school has been working closely with architect Nick Marino since 2014 when the Department of Education and Training announced a budget of $17.8 million for Ballarat High School as part of its support for secondary education in the Ballarat West growth zone.
The burgeoning suburb of Lucas, west of Ballarat High, has no secondary school and increasing enrolments from the rapidly-growing area are putting more pressure on the school.
“We are very happy at how the project has developed and what we will get out of project,” Ms Kennedy said.
“While it’s about changing the look of the school, what’s going on inside is much more important than what it will look like. The learning environment it will set up will be really contemporary and energising.”
Mr Marino said the buildings would provide an “interesting addition and improvement to the streetscape” surrounding the school.
“That’s all important, but the internal environment we create for students and staff is the important aspect.”
Ms Kennedy said she hoped further funding would follow after this project to upgrade the school’s 1960s and 70s era buildings, and some more historic ones, which also needed modernisation.
Local MP Sharon Knight said the strong local partnership between SJ Weir and Ballarat High School would result in a wonderful facility for students now and in the future.
