Work has begun on a new campus for Marymede Catholic College at Doreen, with the school set to open in 2024.
The new campus will include an early learning centre, expected to open next year, and a years seven to 12 secondary school campus, which will first open for year seven students in 2024.
Each year one additional year level will be added, meaning that in 2029 the campus will be fully operating as a year seven to 12 campus.
The campus is in addition to the college’s South Morang school.
Federal Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell joined families and staff of the college last week to help officially turn the sod for the college’s new Doreen campus.
Mr Mitchell said the Federal Government was proud to support the project, which would provide high quality secondary education options for families in Melbourne’s north.
“We need more schools in our area, no one will argue with that,” he said.
“I am proud to be part of a government that will be investing around $800 million on facilities at schools across the nation, including $40 million here in Victoria this year.
“We want every Australian child, no matter where they grow up, to have the best schooling possible.”
Mr Mitchell paid credit to retired principal Michael Kenny and current principal Tim Newcomb who have both made contributions to the project, alongside business manager Paul Romanin.
“I also wish deputy Julie Plymin, who will be head of campus for Doreen, all the best when those young year seven students start their secondary school journey at the new campus in 2024,” he said.
Melbourne Archdiocese of Catholic Schools acting executive director Edward Simons was also in attendance at the sod turn.
The campus will be situated on an expansive seven hectare site adjacent to St Paul the Apostle Parish School on Bassetts Road, Doreen, and will provide state-of-the-art facilities.
“The teachers, staff and students at Marymede Catholic College have a strong and positive school community and the new secondary campus will further enhance our local educational opportunities,” Mr Mitchell said.
The college will offer the same curriculum at both the South Morang and Doreen campuses, with the same opportunities in extra curricular activities such as performing arts and sport.
Students will also have the same opportunities to participate in camps, wellbeing programs and leadership roles.
The masterplan for the campus is planned to be implemented across the next decade, with the following facilities to open in 2024: the junior A building including reception, digital technology, drama, food technology, general purpose classrooms, media arts, music, product design: wood, science, space for an initial library and other learning resources, STEM, visual arts and wellbeing, plus a hockey and soccer pitch.
In 2025, a fitness centre will be added, with a double internal basketball court, changerooms, performing arts rooms, food technology rooms and additional outside courts, plus a small oval.
An administrative building, additional classrooms, and a library/resource centre will be added in 2026; then a junior learning B building in 2027; senior learning A building in 2029; senior leaning B building in 2030, and an arts centre in 2031.
Enrolments for year seven at the Doreen campus in 2024 are now open.
