High school under way

Construction has begun on a brand-new secondary school in Fishermans Bend.

Minister for Education James Merlino turned the sod on the new facility on January 16, which will service the growing communities in Fishermans Bend and its surrounds, including Southbank.

The four-storey school will open in 2022 and cater for up to 1100 students. The state government has invested $3.8 million in planning works for the school, while it’s also sharing in the $624.8 million in school builds upgrades announced in the 2019/20 state budget.

Mr Merlino said that Fishermans Bend Secondary School – the school’s interim name - was one of a growing number of vertical government schools being rolled out in Victoria to help meet increasing demand.

“I’m excited that the community’s vision for a Fishermans Bend Secondary School is now becoming a reality and students will get to attend a modern and innovative school with first-rate facilities,” he said.

Its architecture and materials honour the area’s unique identity, including its proximity to the ocean, and maritime and industrial history. Informed by local community consultations, it will showcase environmentally-sustainable design and feature high-tech amenities, including a fabrication lab and robotics workshop.

There will also be an array of arts, food technology, sports and learning resource centre spaces that can be shared with the community.

Mr Merlino said that it would also have a strong focus on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and maths). Once completed, it will include a high-tech robotics workshop, digital technology and fabrication lab, which will expose students to career pathways that align with Fishermans Bend’s proposed design, engineering and manufacturing precinct.

While urban renewal in Fishermans Bend has slowed in recent times, the state government’s focus on creating a world-class employment precinct centred around advanced manufacturing and technology continues.

The University of Melbourne’s investment in part of the state-government-owned former GMH Holden site will soon house the university’s new engineering and design campus. RMIT University is understood to still be in talks with the state government about establishing its own campus in Fishermans Bend.

The news of construction beginning on the new high school was followed by the state government announcing a grant to the new South Melbourne Park Primary School, which is now in its second year of operation on Albert Rd.

Member for Albert Park Martin Foley said the school received the grant from the Inclusive Schools Fund initiative to build an indoor inclusive learning space.

“This funding will ensure that all students at South Melbourne Park Primary have access to the required assistance, equipment and learning environments to support their learning and behavioural needs,” Mr Foley said. •

“Congratulations to the leadership team at South Melbourne Park. I look forward to seeing the space when construction is complete.”