The new works include the refurbishment of the HOPE Centre and the establishment of a new netball and basketball gym, together with storage, toilets, change rooms and teaching space.
Crucial student counselling and wellbeing services are now able to be provided at the HOPE centre in a move to support a more connected, motivated and vibrant learning community. Such services have often been advertised via local flyer printing campaigns.
Merlino said the new facilities were part of the government's record school infrastructure investment, and he added:
“We’re ensuring local students have the best facilities, our classrooms have the best teachers and every child is given the best chance to succeed.”
In another forward-thinking initiative, the minister said Heathmont College was also taking part in a programme aimed at State government school out-of-field teachers in Years 7 to 10, in the subjects of science and maths.
The Secondary Science and Mathematics Initiative is being delivered by Deakin University and has already seen four teachers from Heathmont College participate in virtual learning events to help boost STEM subject teaching skills.
This latest school upgrade project in one of about 1,600 undertaken by the Victorian government during the last five years, at a cost in excess of $9 billion.