OUR OPPORTUNITY TO ‘CHANGE THE GAME’

At Ballarat Grammar, we recognise that personal health and wellbeing are paramount to thriving physically and mentally in and out of the classroom. Activities such as sport and physical education have long been significant components in making strong and confident Ballarat Grammar students, with participation in organised sports and outdoor adventure promoting physical, social, and personal development.

As part of the School’s Strategic Plan, key priorities have been identified that focus on general health and wellbeing:

A Thriving Connected Community

We will develop a health precinct incorporating positive education, health, sport science, physiology and physical education.

Future Focused Learning Pathways

We will develop innovative learning experiences that increase student activation, meaning and academic success.

We aim to strengthen outdoor and environmental education programs to optimise their contribution to the School’s holistic learning philosophy.

We are developing flexible and adaptable indoor and outdoor learning facilities and play spaces that enhance learning and wellbeing.

While the recent Capital Works Master Planning process focused on the school precinct, it identified two priorities in the area of health, sport/recreation and personal wellbeing to prepare for future growth and the educational needs of our School community.

A new state-of-the-art Rintel Sports Precinct will be at the heart of our schoolwide commitment to health and wellbeing. It will be a pivotal piece of infrastructure that will substantially improve the varied ways in which our students can be involved in sports, learn the principles of sports science and strength and conditioning, as well as train and perform to a very high standard across a range of disciplines, including basketball, netball, and volleyball.

The Rintel Sports Precinct will provide:

+ An additional two International Standard indoor basketball/netball courts (to expand on the current Rintel Centre) with retractable seating for up to 1,200 spectators

+ Seven flexible teaching and learning spaces for health, sport, and wellbeing subjects

+ State-of-the-art weights, spin lab, conditioning, and cardio facilities

+ A flexible multi-purpose function space for up to 350 people

+ Modern changerooms and facilities

A new Residential Outdoor Education Centre, located at a recently purchased farm at the edge of the Grampians National Park, will be designed to help students build resilience through physical challenge, healthy risktaking, social learning experiences and opportunities to care for the environment.

The Centre will feature:

+ 560 acres of farmland and bushland

+ 6 eco-independent living cabins and a communal building

+ Solar-powered facilities with battery back-up, water manually pumped to header tanks, and solar hot water to demonstrate sustainable living

+ Activities including multi-day hikes, rock climbing/abseiling, cycle touring, agriculture projects, and community service, such as aged care visits, Parks Victoria projects, and local farm work

Both projects will be important in:

+ Promoting personal health and wellbeing through being active and demonstrating the value of teamwork through being involved

+ Building students’ resilience through character-building experiences

+ Embedding in our students the importance of physical activity for lifelong physical and mental health, improving self-esteem, teamwork, energy levels, quality of sleep and concentration

+ Growing our students’ understanding of building and maintaining effective relationships with a diverse range of people

+ Developing a deep understanding of the natural world in our students and demonstrating the value of lifelong outdoor recreation for enjoyment, health, and wellbeing

We look forward to working with our extended School community to bring these strategically important and oncein-a-generation projects to life as planning progresses further.