Principal's Report
Dear Collingwood College Community,
Anticipating your expectations, we are thrilled to announce a multitude of captivating projects set to commence shortly. These initiatives are poised to further elevate our already remarkable college.
Junior School Playground:
We have been working diligently with a landscape architect to create new designs for the Junior School playground. As you may already know, we have allocated significant funds to refresh this area and turn it into an incredible playground and learning space for our Junior School. The project will include enhancements to the footpaths, gardens, sandpits, and the addition of new equipment that complements the existing and wonderful structure. We value the input of our community, and after the final consultation round with our students, we will be sharing the designs with all of you within the next few weeks. The construction work is scheduled to take place in November and is expected to be completed within 4-6 weeks.
Collingwood College Early Childhood Centre:
The journey towards creating our Early Childhood Centre has been a remarkable one. Through a successful partnership with the City of Yarra, we secured funding several years ago to establish the Collingwood College Early Childhood Centre offering 66 places. This initiative aims to address the concern that not enough local students were starting school with kindergarten experience due to limited spaces in nearby kindergartens. In this partnership, Collingwood College will host the building while the City of Yarra will oversee the operation of the kindergarten.
Originally, our plan was to renovate the area, but we secured alternative funding that allowed us to take a combined approach, which includes minor renovations and the construction of a new modular building. These works mean we need to demolish a portion of the existing 'Cultural Infusion' (CI) building to create space for the new building and an extensive play area. Consultation with architects, environmental specialists, arborists and engineers confirmed the surrounding area will also need to be cleared. This includes removing existing vegetation.
While we are saddened to see some trees and vegetation being removed, we are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. Having existing soil and asphalt removed allows us to collaborate with our Junior Playground architects to replant, redesign, and create safe new gardens, paths, and play-spaces. Additionally, we would like to create a new dedicated space for our indigenous garden and mural. Furthermore, we will reinstate toilets on the bottom floor of the old Vere St side, making them accessible for students in P-6.
In terms of sustainability and environmental responsibility, we have worked with contractors and designers to repurpose all the trees that will be lopped to have new life as seats and equipment for the new playground renovation. Moreover, we are also creating an outdoor classroom, providing students with an enriching and unique learning environment.
This work is set to begin in a few weeks, and during this time, we will need to block Vere St access for a brief period. We will keep you updated with further information from the school as the project progresses.
Roof:
The Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) has been given the go ahead to progress works pertaining to our ageing roof on the main building. As part of the project, the Vere St building (Music), Theatre, and CAS campus will also receive renovation works. The design phase for these works is underway, and we expect construction to begin during the Christmas holiday period. This is fantastic news for our school community, and we eagerly await the completed project.
Theatre:
As if that wasn't enough, we have more exciting plans in the pipeline! Planning for the design work of the theatre and music upgrade will begin in September 2023 following the appointment of an architect. These learning areas will undergo a transformation to become facilities that will allow our teachers and students to establish our school's reputation as one of the best arts schools in the city, living up to our reputation of being an "education oasis in the heart of Melbourne".
Long Service Leave
After 20 years working in schools, I have managed to accumulate a nice little bucket of Long Service Leave! This afternoon, I’ll be waving goodbye until next term as I enjoy some of this leave whilst on holiday with family and friends. I’d like to announce that Angela Watters will be acting College Principal during this time with Lori Michael acting as the Secondary Assistant Principal.
Between Angela, Chris, Sormeh and Lori, our College is in great hands as we lead up to Swing into Spring and the warmer months of Term 4.
Stay tuned for information from Sormeh Afkari in the coming weeks. She will be conducting a walk-around tour of the proposed works and will unveil the playground designs at the same time.
Thank you for your ongoing support, and we look forward to witnessing the positive changes ahead.
Sam Luck
College Principal
Collingwood College
Cromwell St & McCutcheon Way, Collingwood, Vic, 3066
Ph: 03 9412 7700