- Minister for Education
Senior secondary students in Benalla will now be supported with a new hub for learning, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Education James Merlino today joined Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes at Benalla P-12 College to formally open the Year 10-12 Hub and Trade Centre.
As part of the school's $9.1 million redevelopment, the senior learning school has been relocated to the Faithfull Street campus, alongside the freshly completed Trade Centre.
The new senior hub features classrooms, a student lounge, staff room, collaborative spaces and outdoor areas, while the trade wing incorporates woodwork, metalwork and material preparation areas.
The new senior hub is a modern design, purpose fit for this generation of students, but pays respect to Benalla's proud history by being named after World War II veteran Sir Edward Weary Dunlop, who attended Benalla High School in the 1920s, while the Trade Centre has been named after long-serving college staff member Rex Wills.
Since coming to Government in 2014 the Labor Government has been working closely with P-12 College to finalise the masterplan to deliver the facilities that the Benalla community needs now and into the future.
In addition to the redevelopment on the Faithfull Street Campus, the school has received a $200,000 new inclusive playground and garden for the middle years students and the Avon Street campus has been refurbished.
The Labor Government has also committed $12.1 million to transform the schools tired old facilities, completing the next stage of the redevelopment including a new STEAM building and science block.
All senior students are now on the one campus, creating efficiencies for the operation of the school and eliminating the need for teachers and students to travel from one side of town to the other for different classes.
The Barkly Street campus is now surplus to the needs of the Department of Education and will undergo careful community consultation to determine the future of the site.
As noted by Minister for Education James Merlino
"These modern learning facilities will be a great boost for Benalla College students in their final years of high school."
"We're delivering first-class facilities so that Benalla students are equipped and supported to achieve their best."
As noted by Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes
"As a former student I couldn't be prouder that the Labor Government has delivered this wonderful new facility and we have more to come for Benalla students, families and teachers."
"Under Labor, Benalla is going from strength to strength – hundreds of local jobs are being created and we are seeing massive investment in new school, health, sporting and recreational facilities."
