New Beaufort Secondary College students share excitement for school upgrades

More than 40 year seven students at Beaufort Secondary College will benefit from refurbishment and rebuild works that are set for completion later this term.

A new science and information technology with general purpose classrooms was completed mid-2018, while a new food technology centre with general purpose classrooms is expected to be completed by mid-term one.

The art wing has undergone refurbishment, and the demolition of outdated buildings has opened up space for outdoor learning and socialising, with room for new outdoor sports courts to be installed. 

Beaufort Secondary College principal Karl Schier said the modern facilities would improve learning outcomes and cater for expected growing enrollment numbers.

“The local government projections are we will continue to increase in numbers,” he said. 

“From observation, the Beaufort community is growing. There are some parcels of land that have been opened up and we are seeing property development. It is a great community.

“Now we have a new early learning centre, a new primary school and new secondary school facilities. I think that would be really encouraging for a parent coming into the local community and seeing we have modern learning facilities right across all three of those areas.”

Around 200 students are enrolled at Beaufort Secondary College.

Mr Schier said around 90 per cent come from Beaufort Primary School, while others come from smaller rural schools in the secondary college’s catchment area including Skipton, Waubra, Buangor and areas bordering Ballarat. He said the school runs a strong orientation program to support students in their transition. 

“We do a lot of work with them to transition to a new space but also understanding each of the students who are coming into the school. Information is transferred from the primary school so we know where a student is at academically as well as socially and emotionally.”

Year seven coordinators Keiren Vernon and Julie Doyle said teachers had been working with year sevens during their first week to build strong relationships to help them feel confident and relaxed. 

Students Rakai, Trai, Kaela and Isabelle said they were excited to start new subjects like science and were looking forward to the new building being finished. 

Kaela said there had been some challenges to starting school like figuring out lockers and classrooms, but she was quickly getting used to the change. 

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