WITH enrolments gradually increasing at St Mary MacKillop College in Swan Hill, the school had to either build up or out.
But to build out, the Catholic secondary school, bounded by four streets, would need to find a new campus.
Principal Michelle Haeusler said the time had come to buy land and begin a new build.
Ms Haeusler told The Guardian that six years ago she and the business manager had a conversation about the future of the school and its current location.
“We had knowledge that enrolments were increasing at the local Catholic school that could see a flow-through to here,” she said.
“We spoke about what we could do in terms of development. If we decided to stay where we were, we would have to build up or move to a new site.
“We (were) on not even two hectares, with lots of old buildings from the two primary schools.”
Ms Haeusler said the enrolment had sat about 430 students for the past four years, before increasing to 450 this year. The school is preparing for 470 next year.
“It’s a gradual impact but nonetheless it has an impact on the students’ space to access,” she said.
“It’s not the main reason to move sites, but it will be wonderful to have more land around us – greater recreation, lots of open and green space, spaces for spirituality and Indigenous culture, things we can’t on this site.”
The Nationals this week revealed a pledge $10 million to build the first stage of the college’s new campus if the Coalition is elected on Saturday.
In August, the college bought a six-hectare greenfield site at 183-187 Gray Street, which backs on to the Ken Harrison Sporting Complex, featuring tennis courts, soccer pitches and an athletics precinct.
“We are now planning for the next 50 years into the future, which will be amazing,” Ms Haeusler said.
“The greenfield site is over six hectares, so three times the size of what we have here.”
The school is working with architects based in Bendigo that have worked with other Catholic schools.
“They have worked with similar school so they know the needs of an expanding school,” Ms Haeusler said.
“They are creating the master plan and it will be built in stages, and unless someone gives us lots of money, it takes time to develop.
“So much of the money in the first stage is spent on things you can’t see, such as developing the land and putting critical services in.”
The first stage of the build will include a technical wing to ensure students are ready for the workforce.
“We are very aware of the challenges in terms of employment in Swan Hill,” Ms Haeusler said.
“There are lots of trade businesses crying out for more employees, so the first stage will involve building a technical centre that will help provide traineeships for those workplaces.”
She anticipated one or two year levels would first move to the new campus, which would then gradually grow.
“It will be a small inconvenience of two campuses for a while, but we are looking to the future and the possibilities of what it can be.”
A number of sites were scoped by the college, initially with five possible locations.
“The site purchased was probably high on the list of priorities at the time, and with COVID, it took a bit longer to work through,” Ms Haeusler said.
“The price was good and the location was amazing because it backed on to the Ken Harrison Sporting Complex and a short distance to SuniTAFE, where students attend to complete VET subjects.
“We could see the benefits of being in that part of town.”
However, Ms Haeusler appreciated it was a considerable distance away from the CBD.
“It’s only 2km further away than we are now, but if you lived in metropolitan Melbourne, 2km you wouldn’t blink at,” she said.
“In the country, we travel long distances every day for lots of things but in a town, we like things close.
“We will investigate how we will have to support some students getting to school by moving there, which we will work through in the next few years.”
The college’s business manager was praised for being an “amazing steward” of the finances for a “long time”.
“We are in a very good position to be able to get loans, so whatever we can get through the capital grants will be supported through our own loan funding,” Ms Haeusler said.
“We love to also think new facilities will attract teachers to Swan Hill and we would warmly accept them, especially in the current climate.
“Our school is small but it’s an amazing school. We have a great culture here and hope that same culture goes to a new campus and that we don’t lose that.
“I’d love to think that that sells itself to teachers, not just facilities and open space.”
Ms Haeusler said she hoped the original heritage buildings, some of the last remaining remnants of the primary schools, could be retained.
“The old St Mary’s buildings will disappear in the future, which will bring sadness to people,” she said.
“I sit here in my office looking out the window and watch the works going on for the new hospital development.
“In a week, I could be looking at demolition history over there.
“Progression is important, we have to keep up with technology and facilities that provide teaching into the future.”
It is hoped stage 1 will be completed by 2025.
