Construction has commenced on a new multi-storey learning centre at St Brigid’s Catholic Primary School in Officer.
Director of Catholic Education for the Diocese of Sale Maria Kirkwood and Parish Priest Reverend Jeff Kleynjans, visited the school to turn the first sod to signal the start of construction.
They were joined by principal Mr Ken Gale, Brand Architects director Gerard McCurry and Gregory Strickland, JR Pryor Building Brendan Pryor and school captains Jack and Madison.
The new learning centre will comprise five flexible learning areas, including two dedicated specialist rooms for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and Japanese language.
The new building will also include a new staff room and ancillary spaces to cater for growing teacher numbers while the administration facilities will also be upgraded to improve security and additional meeting and staff work spaces.
The existing library will be relocated and upgraded in an existing building on site.
Principal of St Brigid’s Primary School Ken Gale welcomed officials from the Diocese of Sale and Brand Architects to the school for the ceremony.
“We are very excited to commence this project which will be a magnificent additional state-of-the art learning space for staff and students,” he said.
“Our school continues to increase in student numbers and this purpose-built facility will provide a dynamic and supportive learning environment for students.”
Director of Catholic Education for the Diocese of Sale Maria Kirkwood, said St Brigid’s was catering to the rapidly growing communities in the South East growth corridor.
“Earlier this year, the school completed extensions to two existing buildings to create four general learning areas. This project, to construct a brand new two-storey learning centre, will further enhance facilities, create an inspiring learning environment and add to the excellent standard of teaching and learning offered at St Brigid’s Primary School,” Ms Kirkwood said.
This project is supported by the Victorian State Government under the 2021-22 capital funding program for non-government schools- St Brigid’s will receive $2 million.
