MARIST CATHOLIC COLLEGE PENSHURST

Friday 15 September, 2017 - Number 1

one school • one family • one communityTelephone: 9579 6188 Fax: 9579 6668 www.maristpenshurst.catholic.edu.au

SOUTH HURSTVILLE CAMPUS DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

On 31 August 2017 over 90 parents and carers, from Marist Catholic College and its feeder schools, accepted the invitation of College Principal Mr Ray Martin to attend a Symposium regarding the development of a second campus for Marist Catholic College at South Hurstville Campus.

The purpose of the Symposium was to provide information to the community about the vision for the second campus, for Years 7 & 8 and features of the emerging architectural design. The College Principal Mr Ray Martin, Sydney Catholic Schools Regional Director Mrs Elizabeth O’Carrigan, Mr Glenn McLachlan, Director of System Stewardship and architect Mr Bob Sly of Munns Sly Moore Architects addressed the gathering and provided information about the progress of the development.

A highlight of the Symposium was a 3-d walk-through and aerial representation of the planned facilities, including internal spaces and outdoor active and passive areas.

The opportunity was also provided for the College parent community to comment on what they heard – what they liked, and matters they want more information about.

2one school • one family • one community

Agnoscere Et Diligere - To Know and To Love

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WHAT THE PARENTS SAID...

Based on the information presented, parents and carers indicated overwhelming enthusiasm for the South Hurstville campus development, with attendees clearly reflecting their positive experiences of the successful transition to Years 7 to 12 co-education and the significant development of new and refurbished facilities on the Penshurst campus. Parents also responded positively to the commitment by the Regional Director that the development of the South Hurstville campus would in no way impact the completion of the next stages of facilities planned for the Penshurst campus.

Features of the development which parents were particularly enthusiastic about included:

•The size of the South Hurstville site itself, the open spaces and proximity to Council parks

•The overall design concept and contemporary educational architecture

•Provision for 21st Century learning

•A range of other matters including reducing crowding on the Penshurst campus, drop-off zone and parking, and meeting the need of more families seeking a Catholic education for their children.

Features of the development which parents indicated they would need more information about:

These matters fell into two categories – those which could be answered now, and those which would be developed over the next two years as the College Leadership Team set in place the arrangements for the occupation of the South Hurstville campus from 2020.

2one school • one family • one community

Agnoscere Et Diligere - To Know and To Love

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WHY YEAR 7 & 8 ON THE SOUTH HURSTVILLE CAMPUS?

In 2014 Sydney Catholic Schools commissioned Dr Alan Laughlin Adjunct Associate Professor Charles Sturt University to research options for the development of a dual campus model of secondary education at Marist College Penshurst. On the basis of his research, the recommended model was for a Years 7 to 8 campus (350-400 students) on the South Hurstville site and Years 9 to 12 campus (700-800 students) at Penshurst.

Dr Laughlin identified the following advantages of the Years 7 and 8 on the South Hurstville campus:

•The Years 7 and 8 model provides a sound educational concept, particularly specialisation in pedagogy for personalised learning and technologies to best prepare the students for the challenges of the senior campus

•A minimal need to build specialist facilities on the South Hurstville Campus - Science and Music would be required, but costs of duplicating specialist facilities on both campuses would be avoided

•The provision of greater playground and outdoor learning spaces for the more active group of Years 7 and 8 students

•The success of Trinity Catholic College Auburn, developed on the same two-campus model.

Our Vision for Learning Dream More, Do More, Learn More, Become More

2one school • one family • one community

Agnoscere Et Diligere - To Know and To Love

4

FUTURE PLANNING

Planning will be undertaken progressively over the next two years by the Marist Catholic College Penshurst Leadership Team in preparation for the first intake of students on the South Hurstville Campus in 2020. This planning addresses matters raised by parents at the Symposium and includes:

•Transport, both to the South Hurstville campus and between campuses

•Daily timetable, start and finish times

•Specific features of the facilities, including lockers and bikes

•Construction timeline and transition arrangements for Years 7 and 8 in 2020 and 2021

•Pastoral care and staffing

More information will be provided for parents and carers through Newsletters over 2018 and the College website will provide links to this information at www.maristpenshurst.catholic.edu.au

Elizabeth O’CarriganRegional Director, Eastern RegionSydney Catholic Schools

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