Principal's Report

This week at our Whole School Assembly I briefly shared some of the changes that are proposed for MFG as a result of the Victorian Government’s Grant. Our local MP, Christine Couzens, was instrumental in us receiving this funding and has taken a keen interest in the development of or plans.

Some of the main developments are:

1. Upgrading of the services (gas, electricity etc.) to provide the school with adequate lighting, heating and cooling. A 7.2 x 7.2 m electrical sub-station will be established in Fenwick Street, right on the corner of our garden so that we can have enough electricity to service the school. This will be welcomed by everyone on the Main Site who have put up with the Old Building switches going off regularly. While the sub-station will not be particularly attractive, we will do our best to make it look like it belongs to our community garden.
2. Redevelopment of the Embling Building - is the main change, sadly not to the outside but to the inside of the building. The following pictures show the floor lay out, which is still being refined but is close to how the spaces will look. As for the outside, on MADD Day some paintings were made to add to the façade and we will develop more art works to display the learning at MFG on the outside besser brick walls.

Embling Ground Floor

This will house the teachers (in the old library space) and Art and Textiles (in the current Open Area). The Hall will remain but not be changed in this phase of building.

Embling First Floor

On the first floor is the Information Resource Area (Library/ICT/Pathways) and general purpose classrooms.

Embling Second Floor

Science, Digital Technology, Media and Graphics are on the top floor, along with a kitchenette for Year 12 students.

Conversion of the Multi-Purpose Room into the Food Technology Room with a dining space and outdoor eating area overlooking the garden.

A refurbished Administration Building which will provide a much more accessible office area for parents and students.

In the Old Building we are planning on restoring the building to its original state, but this may be limited by budget constraints.

The job goes to tender in November and building may start as early as January 2018. In Term 4 we will be moving the library to the Helen Fraser site in preparation for Year 11 & 12 students being over there in 2018.  In Term 4 we will work with the Year 11 students to ensure they have a quiet, suitable study space for their final year.

The amount and quality of work and consultation by Melissa Thong and Dev Mistry from Baldasso Cortese Architects and the tremendous level of detail that they have invested in the project have been amazing. We express our sincere thanks to them, as well as to the staff and students who have been giving input along the way.

Staffing Update

• We wish Margaret Macauley a wonderful retirement and thank her for her support of students, staff and the school for many years.
• We welcome Anne Halliburton and Vanessa Bartholomew back from leave in Term 4.

I am off with our students and staff on the Indonesia School Trip to our Sister School in Lombok. I wish you all safe and relaxing holiday.

Michele Crofts

Principal