Greater Shepparton Secondary College Special 2021

Special commemorative publication December 2021

Recognising and celebrating the highly anticipated opening of Shepparton’s new state-of-the-art school, Greater Shepparton Secondary College.

brought to you by

WWW.HANSENYUNCKEN.COM.AU

Proud Builder of Greater Shepparton Secondary College For over 96 years Hansen Yuncken has called Shepparton home. We are extremely proud to have built this world class education facility with our local community, and for all current students and future generations.

Congratulations to the Department of Education, Victorian School Building Authority and all partners involved in bringing this extraordinary new campus to life.

5 Zurcas Lane, Shepparton VIC 3630 03 8290 5100 | shepparton@hansenyuncken.com.au

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Dear students and families,

Welcome to Greater Shepparton Secondary College Here, in our new and impressive college campus, our staff have the privilege of building and sha community. The work we do here ping a new learning , together, will support your chil dren to thrive and realise their As secondary schools in Greater dreams.

Shepparton, once we were four . Now we are one.

Our strengths have combined and are now articulated through one vision, one mission, and one strategy to deliver grea ter educational outcomes for all.

SHARE IN OUR HIGH EXPECTATIO NS HOME AND NEIGHBOURHOOD COMMUNITY KEY TO OUR SUC - A LEARNING VILLAGE CESS

On behalf of the college leadersh ip team, I invite you to embrace the high expectations we have for ourselv es, our community and our students .

We want all our students to alw ays be proud members of GSSC. We wan t all to experience the type of care and belonging that comes from being known and connected to their peers and teac hers.

We want these things because we understand that a sense of care and belonging inspires motivation, engagement in education and a love of lear ning.

I’m excited to see how all the way s in which our values - Aspiration, Integrity, Respect and Responsibi lity - play out at our new school and shape our day-to-day interact ions.

I look forward to our school crea ting and telling these stories to our com munity.

Stories that show we aspire to excellence in all that we do, we act in ways that are honest and trustworthy, we sho w care and value difference, and we acc ept accountability for our decisions and actions.

What we have here on campus is effectively a learning village com prised of three Neighbourhoods and their respective Houses and Home Gro ups.

While designed to accommoda te a total population of 2700 students, a student’s House will be their home through out secondary school. An inclusive, intimate Home in a House of no more tha n 300 students across all year leve ls.

Our Houses share specialist lear ning spaces like science, food technolo gy, art, dance and VCAL subjects with other Houses, to make up a Neighbourhood of 900 students . These shared spaces particularly suit our subject offerings in Years 9 and 10.

Our senior students will enjoy all the benefits of our big school status.

Their “home away from home” is the Enterprise and Innovation Centre. It has the wood, metal and textile workshops, mus ic and dance spaces, performing arts centre, commercial-grade kitchen, adv anced science, multi-media learning areas and more.

So this is a contemporary, cutting-edge school - both in terms of its infrastructure, and our teaching and learning approaches. For junior students, it begins in a House, bra nches into their Neighbourhood and in senior years, embraces our wid er community and working world.

Shepparton is widely known for its cultural diversity. We’re also kno wn for our community spirit and sho wing our commitment to each other, particularly when times are toug h.

We may be a small regional city , but we come from more than 30 nationa lities, speaking some 50 languages.

We enjoy an ancient and rich Indigenous history, with our Koorie families caring for our land, sky and rivers over many generat ions.

Our diversity is fundamental to our identity in Greater Shepparton – how we see ourselves and how we are perceived by others. And it’s reflected across this city – in business and industry, in politics, in our cultural and social gatherings and above all, in our people.

So no matter if you are a student, staff member, family member or a mem ber of our community, I would like you to embrace our new college. It is a magnifi cent, custom-designed facility to deli ver big school opportunities and the nur turing environment of a small school atmosphere.

Only our people, and our commun ity, will animate it and bring it to life. Onl y we can make it into a great college com munity that offers unprecedented opp ortunity and pathways for our students .

Together, let’s make Greater She pparton Secondary College all that it can be.

Barbara O ’Brien Sincerely,

Barbara O’Brien Executive Principal Greater Shepparton Secondary College

Acknowledgement of Country The Victorian Government and the Department of Education and Training acknowledge the Yorta Yorta and Bangerang

Clans, Traditional Owners of the lands of Shepparton, and pays its respects to their Elders past, present and future.

The Department of Education and Training is committed to honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique

cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their rich contribution to society.

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‘A defining project to be proud of’ I f successful project management means bringing in a major development on time and on budget, then SEMZ has nailed it with Greater Shepparton Secondary College. delivered – GSSC, with its three “GSSC, however, has always been Neighbourhoods, Enterprise and about more than that,” said Tom Innovation Centre and double Warne, Director of SEMZ Property gymnasium, has facilities that Advisory and Project Management. are the equal of any school “The school will open for the first in metropolitan Melbourne day of school in 2022 as planned, or elsewhere.” however this state-significant SEMZ has played project has always a pivotal role in been more than just The wiring managing the physical buildings. installed in GSSC project on “This is a school would stretch from behalf of the built to deliver Shepparton to Melbourne and client, the improved (almost) back again! Exactly Victorian education and 332km of wiring powers the School opportunities college’s computers, multi-media screens and high-tech features.

Building for the Other impressive numbers Authority students include: 780 doors, 3098 lockers, (VSBA), of Greater more than 2000 keys to the coordinating Shepparton, who place and 22,740 plants and have not had the and trees. collaborating same outcomes and with the builder opportunities as other Hansen Yuncken, regional areas,” Tom said. principal design consultant “Our job was to deliver firstGray Puksand, the Department of class facilities in a new school Education and Training, and GSSC. to help make that happen. I’m “It’s been a really, really proud to say that this has been

On time, on budget and that was just the basics…

SEMZ Director, Tom Warne and Project Manager, Caera Harter. successful project,” SEMZ Project Manager Caera Harter said. “We have had great collaboration and mutual respect between all of us because we have been focused on delivering the very best result for students and staff.”

SEMZ’s role began well before heavy equipment arrived at Hawdon St. On behalf of the VSBA, the firm coordinated a lengthy consultation and design phase with community and school stakeholders.

“We’ve been involved since 2018 so it has been a big commitment, both professionally and personally,” Tom said. “What excited us about the project was

the opportunity to help deliver something so transformational to the community.”

For Tom, who grew up in Albury, the Goulburn Valley is pretty familiar territory. Caera, however, is from rural Western Australia.

“I can safely say I never expected to be involved in building anything in Shepparton!” she laughed.

“But having grown up in regional WA, I can appreciate that we are delivering something so important to a country community, and to see this scale of development in a regional city like Shepparton is just so impressive.”

The Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District Inc. is a peak body whose mission is to promote and represent the social, cultural and economic well-being of ethnic communities in the Goulburn Valley Region through the provision of quality and innovative settlement, refugee support, community development and information and advocacy services.

Over many years the Ethnic Council has developed strong relationships with the schools in the region and looks forward to enhancing the partnership with Greater Shepparton Secondary College.

P.O Box 585 Shepparton, 3632.

158 Welsford Street, Shepparton, 3630.

Ph: (03) 58312395 Fax: (03) 58313764 Email: info@ethniccouncil.com.au 4

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Registered No. A 6321

‘Best in design, with all the bells and whistles’

A SCHOOL SET TO BENEFIT FROM DECADES OF DESIGN EXPERIENCE… Architect, Stephen Turner.

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the advice of expert education consultants to deliver rchitect Stephen Turner calls it “memory cutting-edge teaching and learning practices. of place” and regards it as a critical Stephen said a defining design element, design feature in creating a new school. however, always came back to the student “School is such a big part of our life, we want experience and their “memory of place”. to always be proud of that time and place and “Students have their own front door to their own to own that memory,” Stephen said. “That is why House,” he said. “It’s their home at school and their it is so important to get the design right.” experience at being in a large school is also softened Stephen is a Managing Partner for national by having their own Neighbourhood, where architectural firm Gray Puksand, which is they feel a sense of belonging. responsible for many iconic commercial, “I always approached this retail and public buildings designed GSSC has been project as if I was designing from its Melbourne, Sydney, built to last. Exactly a little townscape.”

Brisbane and Canberra studios.

1028 pre-cast panels make The concept of students The firm is now proud up much of the building walls. having a home and a to add Shepparton to its Structural steel installed on neighbourhood are key list of iconic projects. the site weighs in at almost 500 design features of GSSC. As Design Lead for Greater tonnes and 1651 truck deliveries Stephen said another Shepparton Secondary College, have poured 28,100 square includes the collaborative Stephen said Gray Puksand metres of sporting areas and areas built throughout brought decades of experience pathways – larger than the school – quiet nooks in building innovative schools the playing area of where students, teachers designed to be effective in learning. the MCG! or a combination of both can “GSSC is now the culmination work independently or in privacy. of all that experience,” Stephen said.

He said this placed value “It has benefitted from the best in design on the humanities, with science and and, as a large project, it has all the bells and technology already well catered for. whistles in terms of facilities and features.”

Stephen said some practical design features The design reflects community and school include the distribution of lockers across feedback on the desired outcomes for students, and the Neighbourhood buildings to avoid the

“student crush” at break time. So too are individual amenities instead of toilet blocks.

“The spaces between buildings are also very thoughtfully designed, with outdoor learning and relaxation areas. To get a sense of the scale, Federation Square in Melbourne will fit into the main courtyard of GSSC.” Stephen is also proud of the front entrance of the school. From a design point of view, its abstract roof form is dramatic, welcoming for all cultures and an important link to the wider community.

“It says to the community, ‘This is a serious and important place’, which, of course, GSSC is.”

congratulations to greater shepparton secondary college Project Ready Project Ready is a hands-on work readiness and personal development program that incorporates a Certificate II in Active Volunteering.

The GMLLEN vision is that all youth in our communities are successfully engaged in education, training, and employment. GMLLEN works with schools like Greater Shepparton Secondary College across Shepparton, including Moira and Strathbogie Shires, to improve education, training and employment outcomes for all youth in the Goulburn Murray region, particularly the most vulnerable young people, as well as indigenous, CALD and those with disability.

Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) and Industry tours The Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) program supports efforts to increase access to practical work placements for Victorian students undertaking Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs as part of their senior secondary certificates.

School Industry Roundtables (SIRs)

The How Work Works Project is a youth-led research project designed to explore local employer needs, their expectations of work readiness, what young people receive in preparation for the world of work while they are at school and what they wish they learnt.

How Work Works

GMLLEN in partnership with the Department of Education and Training, has coordinated and delivered SIRs in Moira Shire and Shepparton. The aim of each SIR is to bring schools and industry together to provide more successful pathways and transitions into employment for young people.

Virtual Placements GMLLEN will explore alternative options for placements and endeavour to engage students in a variety of career pathways that can be accessed virtually or using a hybrid model.

Call out to Employers GMLLEN wants to engage local industries to participate in School – Industry initiatives and encourage our young people to achieve successful work placements. If you are an industry, an organisation, or a sole trader who thinks they can take on students for work placements, please get in contact with one of our Project Coordinators – Neha Samar at neha.samar@gmllen.com.au or Ben VanderZee at ben.vanderzee@gmllen.com.au

What’s happening next year?

GMVICE – Goulburn Murray Virtual Industry Career Experience A bespoke online digital platform to help inform students, teachers, and families about where the real opportunities are and open up real career conversations.

Executive Officer Bec Costa-Lowe

bec.costa-lowe@gmllen.com.au

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GSSC goes back to beginning for builder

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ansen Yuncken has constructed everything from airports to hospitals, shopping centres to museums and just about every other kind of commercial and public building across Australia.

Yet this building partnership of Lauritz Hansen and Otto Yuncken, established in Melbourne in 1918, chose to open its Hansen second office not in Brisbane, Sydney Yuncken or Adelaide – but in Shepparton.

Director, “It was 1925 and off the back of Richard the Shepparton canneries and SPC,” Hansen Hansen Yuncken Director and fourthgeneration builder Richard Hansen said.

“Over time we built much of the infrastructure of the factories and, in turn, built up a local workforce Locally, Hansen Yuncken has been and management team in involved in stages of the Goulburn Valley Shepparton,” Richard said.

Hospital redevelopment, completed the “We’ve been in Shepparton ever since.” recent building addition to Shepparton The Hawdon St site for the Greater Village and many hundreds of other Shepparton Secondary College projects in the region. When it comes redevelopment is literally only a to building schools, ‘HY’ has completed stone’s throw from SPC’s major numerous contracts here and interstate. commercial cannery in the city.

But in terms of a single school “So when the tender went out for development across the country, GSSC, we thought this is something we GSSC eclipses them all. not only want to do, but really something “It’s been a challenge with a huge volume we ought to do after almost a century of work in a very short program,” Richard in Shepparton,” Richard said. said. “But it has been a great example

Tom Cumming with GSSC students... of the designers, project learning about the opportunities managers and client coming in major construction. together for a common goal, our only goal, of working together to make a great school.

That sentiment has continued through “Our focus with GSSC has COVID-19. While carrying the status of always been on the students.” a state-significant project, Tom said Tom Cumming, Hansen Yuncken’s strict induction, testing and procedures Senior Project Manager, has dealt with earned GSSC gold-standard status for the day-to-day task of seeing a $130m its successful site management. development take shape from Tom said the student and start to finish in two years. staff experience of the It has been his biggest transformation of More than project on a personal Hawdon St is set 300 workers level and, professionally, to deliver some were employed on he is proud of the jaw-dropping site during the project peak. GSSC was also local employment experiences. a school long before it and camaraderie “If I looked back opened, with 95 trainees generated from to where we started and apprenticeships the project. at Shepparton employed along the “Even when we had High School, way. to bring in specialist with its outdated trades from Melbourne, gym, leaking ceilings they hired locally and we found and asbestos issues, and many of our workers were really proud I look to what we’ve built … to be here,” Tom said. “Some had gone to “We now have a state-of-theschool here, and they could see this was art high school. I can’t wait for something very special. So it’s always the community to see it.” been a great place to come to work.”

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To the Community of Greater Shepparton, On behalf of everyone at GOTAFE, it is our pleasure to celebrate the opening of the Greater Shepparton Secondary College (GSSC). The new state-of-the-art facilities will improve education outcomes and opportunities of young people in our region.

Education plays a critical role in our communities, and it can transform lives. The new facilities at GSSC will enable secondary students to flourish in an environment which enhances educational experiences, sparks inspiration and encourages creativity.

GOTAFE plays key role in supporting learning, employment and growth in our region working alongside community groups, industry, and schools. We look forward to watching the success of GSSC and its impact on our region’s prosperity.

Congratulations!

Travis Heeney, Chief Executive Officer, GOTAFE

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Celebrating a love of Country T he nine Houses comprising Greater Shepparton Secondary College have been named after rivers in the MurrayDarling Basin that are the life-blood for our region. reflect cultural significance and These well-known waterways a shared link to the importance Murrumbidgee, Kiewa, Warrego, of education across the diverse Murray, Ovens, Lachlan, Campaspe, Greater Shepparton community.

Goulburn and Loddon – are The naming process was significant elements of Country facilitated by the Local Aboriginal revered by the traditional Education Consultative Group. custodians of the region.

“The Neighbourhoods identify A further acknowledgement of three trees – Biyala, Dharnya Country is the use of local language and Bayuna,” Group Chair in the naming of the three main Nicole Atkinson said. “They Neighbourhood buildings that are large, hold an undeniable comprise GSSC. They now proudly presence in our region and show reflect and respect our ancient signs of continuous growth. and rich Indigenous heritage.

“The GSSC buildings are The names pay tribute to likewise large in stature, signifying the grand trees that line these the importance of education. rivers and are iconic to the They are rooted in history and Goulburn Valley region: Biyala will provide our students with (pronounced Bee-yar-lah) is the shaded support and the tools and River Red Gum; Dharnya (Darnresources they need to grow.” yah) is Grey Box, and; Bayuna Also unveiled recently is the (Bay-you-nah) is Yellow Box. centrepiece artwork that will greet The Neighbourhood naming visitors to GSSC. Taking pride of involved Yorta Yorta and Bangerang place in the main foyer is a painting community representatives and

Rebecca Atkinson and Tom Day with ‘Ngarri Ngarri’, artwork proudly gracing the front entrance to GSSC.

titled “Ngarri Ngarri” (pronounced nah-ree, nah-ree), which is a Yorta Yorta and Bangerang word for “teaching knowledge”.

The large painting, by Yorta Yorta artist Tom Day and Bangerang artist Rebecca Atkinson, is a product of consultation with Aboriginal students and captures a series of symbolic elements portraying the significance of education in our region.

Themes in the artwork include how education in this region first began by the river, in the shade of towering trees. Stories and song lines were recorded on possum skin cloaks and passed down with Dreamtime stories

featuring the region’s totems; the river-dwelling long neck turtle and platypus.

This imagery is depicted in the artwork along with Cummeragunja’s schoolhouse and the flats near Mooroopna.

An eagle represents elders with its outstretched wings depicting their knowledge and oversight.

The rivers represent a continuing journey and the merging waterways represent our secondary schools coming together. Completing the picture are leaves - representing new growth and young ones coming through as the next generation of leaders and role models.

Framed in Aussie steel A t its core, Greater Shepparton Secondary College is built from a skeleton of steel beams, cut and welded to exact size by CPE Construction.

The Cobram-based structural steel fabricator used entirely Australianmade steel for this project.

CPE director Damion O’Callaghan said the business supplied about 300 tonnes of steel to the school – the bulk from Whyalla in South Australia.

“Because of the restricted supply of imported steel, more projects are currently utilising Australian made steel which is really good for the local industry.” Damion said.

“We are proud to be a part

of a local job this size, we’re a local company and most of our suppliers are in Shepparton.”

Damion said the building project was efficient and well run, with the process from getting the initial drawings for what was required to delivering the customcut steel to site being smooth.

“Directly, 15 people were employed over the job and if you count our (plate and bolt) suppliers that number jumps to 30 or 40,” he said.

Congratulations to all at

Greater Shepparton Secondary College on the completion of your new school!

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Ganbina here to help – every step of the way ABORIGINAL youth in the Goulburn Valley are being encouraged to register with Shepparton’s largest Aboriginal school-to-work transition service provider, Ganbina, for the 2022 school year, ahead of Greater Shepparton Secondary College’s (GSSC) official opening, in order to make the transition as smooth as possible.

“Ganbina has always had a great working relationship with Shepparton’s secondary schools; regardless of the changes in physical layout of the campuses, we still have the same rapport and close working relationship with GSSC’s Koorie Education Support team,” she said.

“There will be Ganbina staff regularly on site across all three GSSC

plan with the individual to support them to achieve their education and career aspirations.

In addition to individual case management support, all secondary school Ganbina participants have access to education funding, tutoring in English and maths, specific industry days, employment training and a driving program, a three-year leadership program starting in Year 10 that includes interstate and international trips to learn and experience other Indigenous cultures, as well as the opportunity to apply for the annual Youth Achievement Awards program.

Ganbina chief executive officer Anthony Cavanagh said Ganbina was uniquely placed to support Aboriginal kids during this time, as its services had always been fundamentally about successful transitions.

Ganbina has hired an extra Koorie education project officer, on top of its current education and employment offering for Aboriginal youth, to ensure Koorie kids not only rise to the challenge of transitioning to GSSC, but thrive.

Ganbina’s general manager Laurienne Winbanks said although the transition to GSSC would be a brand new experience for everyone, Ganbina’s ongoing partnership with the school, in addition to its well-resourced team, would ensure there would be more support than ever to help Aboriginal youth succeed.

Neighbourhoods, so we’re very well resourced to take on this new environment,” she said.

Ganbina was established in Shepparton in 1997 and is widely regarded as Australia’s most successful Aboriginal school-to-work transition program from six to 25 years old.

For Aboriginal secondary students or upper primary school students about to make the transition to secondary education, Ganbina participants are supported by an education project officer who will develop a one-on-one personal

“Our speciality is helping Aboriginal kids with those key education and career transitions throughout their life, whether that be transitioning from primary school to secondary, or secondary education to your first after-school job. Whatever the transition is, if it’s within the education or employment space, we can help you,” he said.

“Being Aboriginal-led and run, we understand what Aboriginal families and their kids need to thrive in their education. We’re here for any Goulburn Valley Aboriginal kid who wants or needs our support,” he said.

To find out more or register for Ganbina’s services for the 2022 school year, visit www.ganbina.com.au or phone (03) 5821 7333.

Empowering Shepparton’s Aboriginal kids to unlock their full potential since 1997 • EDUCATION • TRAINING • EMPLOYMENT • CULTURAL CONNECTION Need support transitioning to the GSSC? Ganbina is here to help Aboriginal school-to-work transition program for children and youth aged 6-25 Suite 2, 1 High Street Shepparton 3632 | PH: (03) 5821 7333 | W: www.ganbina.com.au E: info@ganbina.com.au | www.facebook.com/ganbina Greater Shepparton Secondary College Commemorative Publication - Brought to you by The Adviser and The Shepparton News

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A whole lot of electricians… Watters’ employees on site at GSSC.

A classroom even before the doors open

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efore students sit down to their first class in their new school, Greater Shepparton Secondary College has already been used for a great deal of learning. along with fire detectors, Contractor Watters Electrical emergency warning systems, Shepparton alone has employed audio-visual systems and more. more than 20 apprentices on the busy “Each classroom has a 75school site – most of them hired on inch display that people can recently to help with the workload. connect wireless to,” Tobi said.

Project manager Tobi Kennedy “We got to install all those TVs, said the apprentices enjoyed the sound bars, speakers and the opportunity to get handsHDMIs. We also installed the on and learn their craft. hearing augmentation system.”

“For those one- to four-year The cutting-edge system provides apprentices, they have loved the job wireless communication from a TV, because they got to cover a wide teacher’s microphone or school range of technology,” Tobi said. public address announcement “Some were from Shepp High and sends it to a receiver worn and they felt a bit of belonging and by a hearing-impaired child – contribution to the next generation.” ensuring engagement from all.

Watters Electrical has installed the communications to GSSC

“For us, the job couldn’t have been planned better,” Tobi said.

“We were trying to hold onto apprentices as the pandemic hit, wondering if we could keep them employed, then we got this job.”

Tobi said the job was one of the biggest their Shepparton branch had completed and required them to nearly double their apprentice numbers.

He said the site was a great one to learn on.

“With a project of this size there is usually a lot of metro-based contractors, but nearly everyone was local. It created a good feeling and a lot of guys made life-long friends. It was a really good job site.”

Tobi said he was confident

the new school will open many doors for Shepparton kids.

“Everyone (working here) has been saying none of their schools were like this.” Tobi said. “This generation is going to be luckiest to come through Shepparton.”

Watters Electrical has served Shepparton since 1957. It is also one of the longest serving local companies involved in the GSSC development – their staff disconnected electricity to the old Shepparton High School before demolition and will remain at GSSC for some weeks yet, after wiring up every new building and now fitting out the electrical needs of the old schoolhouse.

Andrew and Tammy are proud & honoured to be associated with the Greater Shepparton Secondary College development.

We would like to thank Hansen Yuncken for the opportunity to be involved and congratulate them on another successful project in Shepparton.

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Local businesses deliver solid foundation

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he towering concrete walls of Greater Shepparton Secondary College’s Enterprise and Innovation Centre and its double gymnasium were made only 800 metres away.

Statewide Panels operates very unique specifications. out of a workshop two streets “The colour is ‘Smoky Blue’. It was over from the GSSC grounds. powerful stuff,” Dale said. For the Director Dale Baldi said the small crew of 12, ‘Smoky Blue’ is now school’s panels were made to ingrained in their minds – and clothes.

E.B Mawsons & Sons regional manager Phil McIntyre.

The colour was a break from the norm for the pre-cast panel manufacturer, which usually pours panels on-site for heavyweights like Bunnings, Woolworths, Coles and BP. The school project also demanded unique designs to be pressed into the concrete slabs.

“There were a lot of different sections with different depths they wanted; the idea was to create a 3D look on the surface,” Mr Baldi said.

To get the look, Statewide Panels used marine plywood for the first time.

“It gave a very smooth finish and we could re-use pieces again and again.

It seamlessly achieved the multishaped look the school was after.”

The company sourced its concrete from E.B. Mawsons & Sons, which also supplied and poured about 95 per cent of the concrete used for GSSC’s foundations, slabs and footpaths.

“The concrete for the school job was very high spec,” Mawsons’

Statewide Panels director Dale Baldi with the marine board the business used to create a 3D look to the school. regional manager Phil McIntyre said. “They had coloured concrete and a lot of exposed mixes where you can see the rocks.”

Concrete is a time-sensitive material. The moment it’s mixed with water and starts agitating in the barrels of the concrete trucks, it has a time limit. So when a pour starts, it can’t be stopped until the entire job is done.

“There were some pours which went for five or six hours,” Phil said.

“One in particular went from 6am to 4pm. We always start early to try and avoid the traffic as much possible.”

Phil said the school has turned into an awesome project and urged the community to embrace it for the kids.

“There has been a lot of public opinions on it, change can be challenging for some people,” he said.

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Small school feel and A

t the new GSSC, students will experience the firstclass sporting, technology, science and arts facilities of a large, modern school, with the benefit of learning, socialising and receiving support in “House” communities.

The House and Neighbourhood model promotes a feeling of belonging, ownership and students feeling connected to their college and classmates. Throughout the school, a range of learning spaces cater for individual study, one-to-one teaching opportunities and small group collaborative spaces to larger group settings. Outdoor areas are inviting for relaxing or recreation.

GSSC’s contemporary new facilities are designed to improve learning.

They allow the school to offer broader choices, new opportunities and additional wellbeing support.

They will encourage all students to participate at the school and support their transition to further education (TAFE or university) and work.

ENTERPRISE AND INNOVATION CENTRE As the college’s flagship building, the Enterprise and Innovation Centre provides a central heart for the school and a place to welcome the broader community.

The centre has been designed for senior students, giving them access to a broad range of subjects and career pathways in three specialist precincts – technology, performing and fine arts, and sciences.

Scientific pursuits Building on the amenities for multiple science streams offered in the Neighbourhood Buildings, VCE science programs in biology, chemistry, environmental science and physics will be supported by stateof-the art learning environments.

Science labs and seminar rooms can be found on Level 2 of the Enterprise and Innovation Centre.

Artistic endeavours Students will pursue a wide spectrum of performing and visual arts in the Enterprise and Innovation Centre.

Specialist music rehearsal spaces for all music genres and band sizes feature, ranging from jazz duos through to a full orchestra.

There are small solo practice rooms and a music studio, a performance arts venue for drama and dance presentations plus physical art spaces, ceramics, digital media, photography spaces with a green screen and more.

High-tech meets hands-on High-technology design and fabrication spaces combine with

12

traditional hands-on trades in the Enterprise and Innovation Centre.

The ground floor houses specialist facilities for materials and technology education in woodwork, metals and electronics.

A commercial kitchen ensures food technology and hospitality pathways is well catered for.

These spaces will equip students with new opportunities and skills geared for local jobs and further training opportunities.

Connecting with community The Enterprise and Innovation Centre connects to its three surrounding Neighbourhood

buildings, supporting specialist classes for older students.

Also housing senior administration, public gathering spaces and the main entry to GSSC, the centre will also serve as a key link between the school and the community.

YOUR HOUSE AND NEIGHBOURHOOD GSSC has three Neighbourhood buildings, named Biyala, Dharnya and Bayuna, which are identical in layout and facilities. Each Neighbourhood has three Houses.

GSSC’s nine Houses are named after iconic rivers: Murray, Lachlan, Darling, Goulburn, Campaspe, Kiewa,

Warrego, Murrumbidgee and Loddon.

While identical in design, each House has its own distinct colour, reproduced in carpet, furniture and corridors, to build a sense of belonging.

Each House is a self-contained smaller school with its own classrooms, collaborative study areas, student lockers and amenities.

No more than 300 students form a House, which is in turn comprised of up to 50 students from each year level (Years 7-12).

The House model makes it easy for students to get to know one another and for teachers and support staff to build relationships with students and families.

Greater Shepparton Secondary College Commemorative Publication - Brought to you by The Adviser and The Shepparton News

big school benefits ensure it can also be used for large school and community functions.

The gymnasium offers far more than catering for team sport. It features a fitness and weights room with tinted windows fronting Hawdon St. There are flexible spaces for dance and yoga and two multipurpose studio rooms for recreation and classroom instruction.

Other facilities to be found in the gym include amenities and changerooms, a kitchenette and first aid facilities.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS Around two-thirds of the GSSC school site is dedicated to outdoor space.

Outdoor spaces are important features of the school design, and will serve a wide range of social, cultural, recreation and learning uses.

Outdoor sporting amenities include hard courts, a full-size oval and a soccer pitch. There is landscaped spaces suited to performances, community events, exercise, sensory experience and play.

The great outdoors is accessible for environmental, sustainability and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education; and for everyday enjoyment to enhance the wellbeing of students and staff.

Each of the Neighbourhoods also features a roof-top garden, with outdoor learning, relaxation and lunch areas.

INTRODUCING ‘THE HUB’

For many Year 7 students, their House in secondary school will be smaller than the primary school they came from.

Knowing your Neighbours Just like in the wider community, a student’s Neighbourhood helps to develop a close-knit feel and give students opportunities to connect with family members and friends.

The three Houses that make up a Neighbourhood share a common area with a range of learning and support services for our students: • A canteen • A learning resource centre (library) • Science, design and technology, food technology, visual arts,

•

•

• • •

media arts, visual communication and design, performing arts (music, dance and drama) and Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) facilities A variety of general learning areas suited to large and small groups, as well as individual learning needs Outdoor learning spaces, including a rooftop terrace with sensory and recreational spaces Culturally safe spaces celebrating diversity Student support, wellbeing and career services Tiered seating area for group gatherings

• A gallery for displaying student art and project work.

Shared facilities with each Neighbourhood give every student access to high quality, modern learning environments they can be proud of. Student support, wellbeing and career services are integrated throughout these areas.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORT The new GSSC features a fantastic double gymnasium with competitionsized basketball and netball courts.

Early in 2022, roll-out seating will be installed in this massive space to

The new GSSC incorporates one of the oldest school buildings in Shepparton.

Now, having undergone a multi-million-dollar renovation, the former front entrance of Shepparton High School and the original Hawdon St school house has been retained and rebuilt to house our student service teams.

Now known as “The Hub”, the building will be dedicated to student care and wellbeing.

It has been designed to host the many allied health and education agencies supporting GSSC and our students. These include the School Nurses and the Doctors in Schools Programs, mental health practitioners and other agencies including The Smith Family, Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project and employment agencies and programs, like Geared for Careers.

Thank you to our students who posed for these photos and our front cover: Marlo Daddona, Xavier Chandler, Racheal Angeline, Matthew Hanns and Jamila Sudi.

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13

Working as one already achieved

W

hile much will change with the move to the new Hawdon St site next year, Megan Michalaidis said staff have already experienced and embraced the most important change in the development of Greater Shepparton Secondary College.

“As a staff we’ve been working together for two years now,” Megan said of the 2020 merger of McGuire, Mooroopna, Wanganui and Shepparton High secondary schools.

The merger saw staff and students experience immense change, with year levels shifting to three campus sites over 2020 and 2021 while the fourth site – Shepparton High – was demolished and rebuilt.

For many teachers, it meant a new office, new classroom, new leadership and new faces in the staff room – in years impacted by COVID-19 and remote and flexible learning.

“We’ve come to know each other and support each other through these many challenges and changes,” Megan said.

“Importantly, we’ve all become respected colleagues at GSSC before we have even set foot on the new site.”

Growing up in Euroa and commencing her teaching career in Melbourne following university, Megan found herself in the Goulburn Valley after getting engaged to a Shepparton local. She taught

at Mooroopna Park Primary School before making the move to McGuire College about 13 years ago, where she held numerous leadership positions.

“I’ve definitely been committed to the

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merger of our secondary schools from the moment the option was put forward,” she said.

Collaborative spaces … the new GSSC features “My biggest motivation furniture booths for one-on-one or small group was to see students who couldn’t activities, corner rooms for larger groups and other study the VCE courses and subject contemporary learning areas with digital access. choices they wanted to be given these important opportunities in life.” and woodwork, science, performing In 2019 Megan was given the executive arts and other specialist facilities. opportunity she wanted on behalf of Next year, Megan will become the students – as GSSC’s Associate Principal GSSC executive team’s Operations of Teaching and Learning, Megan Principal, leading the college’s IT, has led the development of timetable, events, sports, Years 7 to 10 curriculum, facilities and much more. delivering the best qualities Megan said there will be ‘Everything from the four merging a settling-in period for about our school schools and meeting the school but is in no and its development the best in innovation doubt about its future. is 21st century – I can and expectations.

“I think in two or see the teachers of At the same time, she three years, you will the future learning has led the expansion see us leading and from us’ of subject choice. being seen as the future Megan said she can’t wait of secondary education for that curriculum development delivery in Victoria,” Megan said. and VCE choices to be complemented “Everything about our school and its by the new facilities at the Hawdon St development is 21st century – I can see campus, particularly the Enterprise and the teachers of the future from all over Innovation Centre’s technology, metal Victoria learning from us at GSSC.”

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‘Massive effort’ about to pay off

W

ith well over three decades in education, Steve Bolton cites the last three years as among the busiest and most challenging of his career.

“I was there at the start when it was agreed our best way forward for secondary students was to merge our four schools,” he said. “Since that day, the effort over the last three years has just been massive.”

Steve said the planning that took place in 2019, the closure of Shepparton High School that year, the merger of 2020 to create Greater Shepparton Secondary College (GSSC) and the transition of Mooroopna to a Year 9 campus, presented hard work and huge change for staff, students and families.

With COVID-19 added to the also take on a cross-campus mix, Steve said there has been responsibility for oversight little time for reflection until now. of the careers and pathway “We are only a short time away programs for senior students. from coming together on the one His latest role is a long site and I can tell you I am way from his start in just so excited,” Steve 1985 as a teacher said. “I so much want in the tiny town to be a part of this.”

‘The new of Wycheproof, Steve will be an GSSC will show in north-west integral part of the students just how Victoria. He next leadership team at much has been spent 15 years the new GSSC. As invested in their at Kyabram a Neighbourhood before arriving Principal, he will future’ at Mooroopna head one of the three as an assistant GSSC Neighbourhoods principal in 2007. and its three Houses – Steve said he was fortunate Kiewa, Campaspe and Goulburn. to have an important skill that Steve said administering the had served him well in building Neighbourhood, the development relationships with students, staff of staff and the progress of and families throughout his career. students from Years 7 to 12 “I was lucky in the genetic lottery will comprise his major dayto-day duties, however he will

No more crowds … a design feature of the new GSSC is the distribution of student lockers throughout every House and Neighbourhood, ensuring easy access between classes.

in that I am able to remember names and faces!” he said.

Steve said he hopes to gain that first-name familiarity with staff and students in his Neighbourhood in the first few weeks of Term 1, 2022. However, he is confident the surroundings of the Hawdon St campus will make students feel special from the moment they step into their new school.

“Mooroopna Secondary College was founded in 1972,” he said. “It is well resourced but it is almost 50 years old.

“The facilities and features of the new GSSC will show students just how much has been invested in their future.”

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15

Embracing change for our future

K

aren Utber, much better known as “Daisy” to her colleagues and the school community, made a huge personal and professional decision in 2019.

After more than 30 years at Wanganui Park Secondary College, Daisy was one of the first school leaders to put her hand up for change as Greater Shepparton Secondary College was formed from the merger of her school, Mooroopna, McGuire and Shepparton High School.

For Daisy it was a dramatic shift from a pretty comfortable and rewarding working world at Wanganui.

Upon the merger of schools in 2020, she found herself as an Assistant Principal at the Mooroopna campus of GSSC, which had changed from a Year 7 to 12 school to a Year 9 campus during the transition to a new school.

A new office, new staff, new students and new place of work was part of Daisy’s daily change.

All teachers were dealing with the changes involved in the twoyear transition to the new Hawdon St campus. Despite being at the leading edge of these changes, and the added stress of Coronavirus over 2020 and 2021, Daisy said her move had come with absolutely no

regrets and was all for the best.

“My initial response to the school merger was, ‘What’s wrong?’ Wanganui felt very special and was very special and teachers would often say that when they worked here,” Daisy said.

“That said, our academic results could have been better and I knew our colleagues at Mooroopna, McGuire and

A BRIGHT FUTURE...

If we as a community tap into the potential of our young people, and invest in their education, we have a very bright future. That is what the education plan and Greater Shepparton Secondary College is designed to do.

The College offers a large range of subjects that will be supported by the extensive facilities at the state-of-the-art campus.

We are committed to a constructive relationship with the College, with the goal of ensuring that all of the students find their way into a rewarding career and life. The transition has been hugely challenging – a difficult change exacerbated by the pandemic, and we congratulate the staff and students on their resilience over the past two years.

Shepparton High were struggling with their own student outcomes,” Daisy said.

“We had also always had difficulty delivering student subject choices across different campuses.

Something big had to happen with secondary education.”

Daisy said the Shepparton Education Plan and its promise for unprecedented secondary education investment – including the delivery of a brandnew school with state-of-the-art facilities - was a game-changer.

“I’m not scared of change and like I said, something big had to happen. So when the opportunity came along I said to myself, ‘What role do I play and how can I make real change come about?’,” Daisy said.

“I put my hand up to transfer to Mooroopna and a number of my colleagues followed. I’ve loved the last two years and we’ve felt absolutely supported by staff here.”

Daisy will take on the role of Neighbourhood Principal in charge of

House entry … every entry to GSSC’s nine Houses has its own name, colour scheme and design. It’s the front door for every student’s home at high school.

Warrego, Murrumbidgee and Lodden Houses when GSSC opens at Hawdon St next year. She will also have oversight of student wellbeing and inclusion.

“Our students have no idea what they are in for next year – and that’s a good thing,” Daisy said.

“They have no idea that they’ve been putting up with some pretty ordinary conditions and old schools.

“We are so ready to deliver for our new school – a sense of belonging, a sense of safety, a sense of care and an understanding that we have high expectations of every student.

“We have a great group of teachers coming through the system and the positive culture in our new school is assured with that new blood. I am so very excited for next year.”

Congratulations Greater Shepparton Secondary College!

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Greater Shepparton Secondary College Commemorative Publication - Brought to you by The Adviser and The Shepparton News

Dougie leaps at latest challenge K errianne Souter’s teaching career has come a long way. As a graduate majoring in art, her first job was teaching the subject to rural schools in the Goulburn Valley – often without the benefit of a classroom.

“I had a van fitted out with art supplies and I would pull up at small, often just one teacher, rural schools, open the sliding door, and deliver a program to the students,” Kerrianne said.

“That was my first teaching position. I moved into the area and stayed.”

Fast forward a few decades and in 2022, she will be one of the inaugural Neighbourhood Principals at Greater Shepparton Secondary College. She will oversee Ovens, Murray and Lachlan Houses, with an all-school oversight of curriculum and teaching practices.

Kerrianne, better known as “Dougie” to her colleagues, has had a great deal of local experience and leadership roles inbetween her mobile rural art lessons and senior GSSC role. These include curriculum consultancy and

school improvement guidance to front line teachers.

She is best known to local families as Principal of St Georges Rd Primary School, where she had been the friendly and respected school leader for 14 years.

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We were able to provide a diverse range of training opportunities to students who showed an interest in the Warehouse and Supply Chain Operations sector.

Dougie was also a member of the working party Extensive landscaping … with a central courtyard that had input into larger than Federation Square, there is plenty of room developing the Shepparton for relaxation at GSSC. Extensive planting and irrigation Education Plan. She was will ensure a green start to the 2022 school year. intrigued and impressed prospects the new GSSC will offer to at the scale of investment and our students and teachers as we vision for local education. create a new page in the So when she had the history of education in opportunity to join Greater Shepparton.

GSSC as it neared the ‘I am Dougie said next opening of a statein awe of year will deliver of-the-art school the prospects new opportunities on one campus, the new GSSC and experiences she couldn’t resist will offer to our for all teachers and her latest career students of GSSC, challenge – despite students and including herself. a great love for teachers’ “Through all my primary schooling years of education and leading St Georges in our region, I’ve never Rd Primary School. been involved in the opening She is now firmly focused of a new school,” she said. on ensuring GSSC meets all “But what I’ve seen of our new the expectations of the school GSSC has just been amazing,” community, students and parents. she said. “I can’t wait!”

“It’s such an exciting change we’re going through. I am in awe of the

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The programs are a unique opportunity to combine education and work experience for future employees. The growth we have seen in each student has been incredible and they should be congratulated accordingly The SBAT courses are a new addition to the region and are a unique collaboration between GSSC and National Food Institute, something we are incredibly proud to be a part of.

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Ensuring high school history is never lost

T

he four secondary schools that merged to form Greater Shepparton Secondary College on January 1, 2020 each have rich and varied histories.

These stories include a vast amount of information and images, which are in the process of being carefully documented and digitised as part of the “Honouring the Past” project. This was established by GSSC to provide the resources to collate the proud histories of these schools, and other well-loved schools of our past.

Geoff Allemand and Peter Matthews share a

Geoff Allemand (left) and Peter Matthew with an early photo of Shepparton High School. passion for local history and have been the perfect pair for the job. Geoff runs the Lost Shepparton Shop and Shepparton Heritage Centre on behalf of the Shepparton Historical Society. Peter is a former school principal and an astute researcher and editor.

“We feel we are about half-way through the project and the Shepparton Heritage Centre is now home to a growing collection of school records and memorabilia,” Geoff said.

Peter said the aim was to have a comprehensive history of state school education in our region,

with the centre becoming the “go-to” place for this information and memories.

Their work can be found on the Shepparton Heritage Centre website at www.sheppartonheritagecentre. com.au/our-schools. On the facing page is a brief snapshot of McGuire College and its origins, Mooroopna Secondary College, Wanganui Park Secondary College and Shepparton High School.

It is fitting GSSC has been built on the site of Shepp High, the region’s oldest secondary school with a history that spanned 110 years.

A final ‘walk-through’ for community

I

n December of 2019, hundreds of community members attended an “open day” at Shepparton High School to bid farewell. Former students and staff, some in their 90s, visited the school to see the classrooms of their youth for a final time before the school’s demolition to make way for Greater Shepparton Secondary College.

The intent was always to do the same for McGuire, Wanganui and Mooroopna campuses. Plans were set for August and then September,

before it became obvious COVID-19 restrictions would make open days impractical and potentially unsafe.

With thanks to the time and

Mooroopna Campus virtual tour

talent of Mooroopna media teacher Darryl McConnell, and our campus principals, we hope you appreciate these digital

McGuire Campus virtual tour walk-through tours of McGuire, Wanganui and Mooroopna.

Scan the QR codes with your smart phone or catch up with

Wanganui Campus virtual tour

these videos on the GSSC website and Facebook page.

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McGuire College

Mooroopna Secondary College

This school was first opened in February 1966 as Shepparton South Technical School and was uniquely located on the grounds of Shepparton Showgrounds.

Produce, needlework and cookery pavilions were the original classrooms as the school developed into its own brick complex.

An increased need for technical skills in the 1960s saw the school rapidly develop. Sharing the site with dairy exhibitions, sheep-dog trials, car shows and circuses was less than ideal but did have its advantages – service clubs sent students on educational tours across north-east Victoria

Founded in 1972 in portable classrooms on Echuca Road, Mooroopna Secondary College had a starting enrolment of 105 students. The school had five classrooms, an administrative portable and a few outbuildings.

It grew rapidly and built a reputation for having stateof-the-art facilities for its time.

While offering all key learning areas

to free-up the site for the Annual Shepparton Agricultural Show.

A new trade wing was established on Wilmot Rd and in the late 1960s, classes were progressively transferred to the new site. In 1990 the school was renamed Shepparton South Secondary College and in 1998, became McGuire College.

The site is currently the McGuire Campus of GSSC and will shift to Hawdon St in 2022.

Shepparton High School Founded in 1909 with 33 students and a generous staff of seven, Shepp High has a history you could write a book about – and indeed, that’s been done.

The original Fryers St school cost 4000 pounds. Enrolments doubled by the end of World War 1 and the school was expanded to include a sheet metal room, science room, general classroom and a “cloakroom”.

As enrolments continued to climb in the 1920s, a junior school was built in Hawdon St. It took until 1962 before the two campuses amalgamated – the first time in 32 years that students weren’t forced to shuttle between sites separated

by 1.5 miles (2.5km) for classes.

Shepparton High School closed in 2019 following its selection as the best site to build GSSC. A send-off and celebration was held in December of that year. Key features of Shepp High are retained at GSSC – the main schoolhouse, which has undergone a multi-million-dollar renovation and the heritage gates along Hawdon St.

As proud suppliers of

Greater Shepparton Secondary College uniformS

e congratulations on th facilities completion of the new

for students, the school has always placed a strong emphasis on using technology to support learning.

The site is currently the Mooroopna Campus of GSSC and is unique for becoming a Year 9-only campus in the final year of its operation, allowing emphasis on teaching and learning dedicated to this year level.

Wanganui Park Secondary College Wanganui Park High School opened in 1975. In 1990 it changed its name to Wanganui Park Secondary College. But to really understand the background to this school, you have to go back to 1960.

With so many girls attending Shepparton High School and technical schools, the Shepparton Girls Secondary School was opened in Fryers St. While new, its buildings were already historic, including the original Shepparton High School (opened 1909), the original primary school (founded 1983) and a science block that had also been used by Shepparton High for more than 30 years.

The school began with 202

students and nine staff but never looked back – it quickly grew to 700 students and changed its name to Shepparton Girls High School in 1966. A new block of buildings was completed in 1967 and was centrally heated – perfect for evening classes in cookery, typewriting and needlecraft.

While such domestic and secretarial studies were typical for its time, the school also offered French, advanced mathematics and excelled in sport. Wanganui Park Secondary College became coeducational in 1975 and has enjoyed a long history at Parkside Drive.

It closed in 2020 to become the Wanganui Campus of GSSC.

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19

For our inaugural president, it’s been a personal journey

T

anya McKenzie-Sleeth is as excited as you would expect a school leader to be as we approach the opening of the largest secondary school project in the state.

As the inaugural School Council President of Greater Shepparton Secondary College, she is thrilled by the fact that the former Shepparton High School site has been the location of this unprecedented investment in secondary education in our region.

“My Dad and his sister attended Shepp High, and so did all my siblings and I,” Tanya said. “Even my children have gone there.

“It’s always been a great school but now it’s time to evolve,” she said.

“And right now, as we close our other secondary schools and respect their history, we need to deliver on Executive Principal Barbara the really important reasons of why O’Brian and School Council President we are merging our high schools.”

Tanya McKenzie-Sleeth.

Tanya said community sentiment is shifting – community concern you really have no idea,” Tanya said. over the merger of four secondary “Yes, it’s a big school, lots of students, schools into one is transitioning to but people don’t realise the amount excitement as people progressively of space here and how impressive visit the new GSSC site. it is until they set foot on site.”

“Until you walk through this site,

Lessons in their new surroundings … in recent weeks our teachers have become students as they are taken on tour and introduced to the new Hawdon St campus.

career and specialist opportunities The “shiny new buildings”, they have at home – should they however, have never been Tanya’s choose a local career path. motivation to serve GSSC at this “GSSC has really embraced new key moment in its history. teaching and learning practices “For me, it’s always been about that encourage and education, career paths develop each student’s and opportunities for core skills, resilience our kids,” Tanya said. and adaptability As a former student ‘For me, it’s to be successful,” at Shepp High, Tanya’s always been Tanya said. “GSSC electives beyond core about education, is a state-of-theEnglish, Maths and career paths and art facility offering Science studies were opportunities’ amazing pathways.” pretty much cooking, Tanya said sewing, and woodwork.

Shepparton doesn’t Innovation was minimal. need to be losing its techShe said the secondary savvy, sporty and scholarly students schools had always worked together to Melbourne or other cities. with the best intentions to increase “If they want new experiences electives to help students find elsewhere that is fine,” she said. engaging courses and opportunities “We need them to know there that would benefit them. are endless opportunities for Unfortunately, there were practical them right here, where they problems and professional gaps. could work in some outstanding “As a mother, I watched my kids local brands, manufacturing pursuing chosen electives via taxis facilities, agriculture, horticulture between campuses, finding their and commercial businesses. way around different secondary “GSSC is set to become a school in recent years,” Tanya said. key partner in developing the “The benefits of the opportunity future workforce for local and were often outweighed by loss of global businesses and industries, class time or a lack of students - and that Shepp lacked before. juggling transport was bedlam.

“This is about providing better “This won’t happen at education for our kids, better our new school.” career opportunities for our Tanya said her experience with youth to be successful doing the School Council and her own something they are interested business connections in the wider in, and to build foundations for community have convinced her experiences and connections within that the greatest gift of GSSC will businesses and our community.” be introducing and integrating our diverse youth into the many skills,

A special congratulations to all involved in the ground breaking new state-of-the-art Greater Shepparton Secondary College.

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Greater Shepparton Secondary College Commemorative Publication - Brought to you by The Adviser and The Shepparton News

PROUD AND READY FOR 2022… School leaders (in back, from left) Tristan Phipps and Jack Morcom; (middle row, from left) Executive Principal Barbara O’Brien, Kesalini Muli, Curtley Kempinski, Georgia Comline, Arianta Kolvani, Sophie Woolstencroft, Rachael Angeline, Rae-Nee Roberts, Angelina Mason, Breanna Makin, Jorja Ayton; College Captains (kneeling from left) Rowan Farren, Olivia Judd, Dante Sinclair-Dealy, Ella-Rei Dunlop, Skyler Norton and Beth Gray

Leaders set for one final move W

ith change being a constant in the last two years due to Coronavirus and the merger of Greater Shepparton’s secondary schools, Rowan Farren and Bethanie Gray say they are ready for more in 2022.

Rowan has experienced life at both fortunate to experience her final McGuire and Wanganui campuses in school year in a brand-new facility. secondary school while Bethanie left her As a student she has fast-tracked familiar and friendly Shepparton High chemistry and is looking forward to School when it closed two years ago. the cutting-edge science rooms of the “It was a close-knit school so Enterprise and Innovation Centre. For that was a bit hard,” she said.

Rowan, who wants to study computer But rather than having another year science after Year 12, it will be the of transitional change, the students contemporary technology spaces. say the move to their new Greater That said, neither have yet had the Shepparton Secondary College is the one opportunity to set foot on the site. change they’ve long been waiting for.

“I’m aware it is designed for our House Rowan and Bethanie have been system so students will have more of a successful in their selection as school family environment,” Bethanie said. “I leaders when they start at GSSC next know it has facilities students will feel year. They are among six College grateful for, so they can try new things.”

Neighbourhood Captains selected to lead Although Rowan has no real experience the school in 2022, along with 18 student of what a “new” secondary school will be House Captains and Vice-Captains. like, he does feel his current surroundings “I’m so pleased to be in the first at Wanganui campus are a bit dated. generation of students on the site,” “To be honest, they are old and at Rowan said. “Our job as leaders will be to McGuire, even more so. The facilities help everyone settle in and to model the are coming to the end of their life.” behaviour we want from all students.”

Bethanie said the lucky students will Bethanie said her selection as a be those in Year 7, who will only ever school captain fulfills an ambition experience a new, modern school during she’s had since Year 7. Now, going their entire secondary schooling. into Year 12, she considers herself

GSSC STUDENT LEADERS FOR 2022 BIYALA NEIGHBOURHOOD College Captains: Skyler Norton, Bethanie Gray House Captains: Mikaya Bright, Rae-Nee Roberts, Angelina Mason House Vice-Captains: Lilly Russell, Tristan Phipps, Breanna Makin DHARNYA NEIGHBOURHOOD College Captains: Ella-Rei Dunlop, Dante Sinclair-Dealy House Captains: Rachael Angeline, Chloe Butcher, Jorja Ayton House Vice-Captains: Tilly Bennett, Curtley Kempinski, Kesalini Muli BAYUNA NEIGHBOURHOOD College Captains: Rowan Farren, Olivia Judd House Captains: Sophie Woolstencroft, Arianta Kolvani, Georgia Comline House Vice-Captains: Mahdi Ghorbani, Sylvester Desacada, Jack Morcom

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Coming together almost complete

K

ylie Hoskin is a science teacher, so she sees the world as it is, not through rose-tinted glasses.

She’s well aware of the huge changes facing staff and students at Greater Shepparton Secondary College, but she’s also a glass half-full person who teaches positive performance psychology.

“In our psychology class we talk about how there can be a raft of emotions and they can happen all at once.

“So yes kids are nervous, kids are anxious, but kids are also excited and looking forward to seeing the new facility and what their classes will be next year,” she said.

GSSC students and staff have been through a roller coaster of challenges over the past two years – moving campuses, changing bus routes, working with new peer groups and in different environments. Then there was COVID-19.

“We’ve talked to the kids a lot, and it’s funny because some didn’t want to come to the Mooroopna campus. But if you speak to them now, most of them say they want to stay.

“So I think we can do the same thing together next year – and there’s going to be so much more support next year,” she said.

Kylie grew up on a dairy farm at Murchison and went to Mooroopna Secondary College before going on to gain a Bachelor of Science from La Trobe University. She taught at Wanganui Park Secondary College for 16 years before completing her education circle and returning to her old school in Mooroopna for the start of transition to the new college.

“I felt if we were going to make a positive change and embrace the new GSSC, I needed to be away from Wanganui. I wanted it to be new and different.

So I asked to come to Mooroopna,” she said.

“I had a great education at Mooroopna, so it was a really positive thing for me to be here and have those memories.”

For Kylie, being on the cusp of great change brings great opportunities and great determination.

And her glass is now more than half-full.

circle and returning to Hawdon St next year – but in a new state-of-the-art campus.

“I believed that at Shepparton High School we were moving in the right direction. But I knew that in Shepparton as a whole, education wasn’t the best – we weren’t getting the results. And it wasn’t for lack of trying – the teachers were working really hard,” she said.

“When they put the proposals forward – we were given a choice about which we thought was the best, but we knew that staying the same wasn’t an option. It wasn’t going to improve anything – we needed big change,” she said.

Her natural positivity then stepped forward.

“It hasn’t been easy but I’ve always believed that this could make things really exciting. We could really change education here with this merger,” she said.

“We’ve developed new curriculum, we’ve got a shared vision, we try to talk the same language, so it becomes one voice within our school,” she said.

Giulia is a firm believer that at the heart of a good education is the belief that people can change when shown the way forward. This goes back to the start of her teaching all those years ago when she was faced with a bunch of disengaged teenage boys in her woodwork class.

“It was really tough – but it taught me how to be a better teacher. Eventually I overheard them talking about horse riding… so I started carving a horse head in the class room.

“Then they came up to me asking questions – what are you doing? Did you make that? Can you teach us to make that? All of a sudden I had them hooked.”

“So, it’s more than just teaching – it’s about connecting.”

For Giulia, teaching is connecting

E

xperts searching for the perfect source of renewable energy need to look up Giulia Rigoni.

Her battery is still running with as much energy and passion as it did when she started teaching woodwork to teenage boys at Swan Hill School in 1984.

“I think you have to be passionate. If you’re not passionate about what you’re doing and you don’t think it’s the right thing, you either change your attitude or you get out. You have to be positive and then that positiveness rolls over into other people’s lives,” she said.

Guilia has been powering her positivity into young lives for 36 years from Swan Hill to St Albans in Melbourne, 29 years at Shepparton High School and for the past two years at Mooroopna campus of the Greater Shepparton Secondary College.

She started as an art teacher at Shepparton High School and also taught the occasional woodwork class before moving on to progressive education methods such as team teaching and personalised learning for students.

Now she’s looking forward to completing the

Bird’s eye view Construction of Greater Shepparton Secondary College went smoothly for the two years it has taken to demolish Shepparton High School and erect the five new buildings that comprise the school.

Site access was strictly controlled during construction. Despite more than 300 workers on site during the peak of the build, the control measures were successful in ensuring COVID-19 did not impede progress.

One local resident was not impressed, however.

Drone footage was taken frequently to chart the school’s construction and this angry bird, caught on camera, didn’t like its space invaded.

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Greater Shepparton Secondary College Commemorative Publication - Brought to you by The Adviser and The Shepparton News

People make all the difference What makes a good school?

Committed teachers, cutting edge facilities, an exciting curriculum – all these things make a school stand out as a beacon of light and inspiration.

But what makes a school great?

Leanne Newey and Trevor Wilson are the human glue that binds people together to build a school into a community.

They work behind the scenes to turn a good school into a great one.

Leanne and Trevor between them have provided more than 50 years of dedication to what was McGuire College, and which is now the McGuire campus of Greater Shepparton Secondary College.

Leanne is a former student of the old Shepparton South Technical College which later became McGuire. Six months after leaving school, she returned to work as a laboratory technician and has stayed in the same role for 36 years.

She has quietly and diligently prepared chemical solutions for practical lessons, set up laboratory equipment and tidied everything up for thousands of students over the years.

She has seen the change from Bunsen burners and glass beakers to computers

and solar power and renewable energy projects.

But the rewards are the same.

“I’ve seen my nieces go through technology teachers – Ted taught the school – they’re going to be me when I was a student and I a primary school teacher and a worked with him when I started physiotherapist. I’ve seen other here in 1986. It was great to students who have been to uni get to know them in a different and are now working in science. way – as adults,” she said.

One of them’s a pharmacist now Trevor’s main role has been and caught up with me at the as groundsman – but a chemist – that’s always quick conversation lovely,” Leanne said. reveals he nurtures Leanne has also more than flowers seen an increasing and bushes at number of students ‘I just treat kids the the school. from multicultural way I would like to be treated – as young Trevor recalled backgrounds attend adults’ one student McGuire during who would help the 1990s. She is him in the garden particularly proud of a and in setting up former refugee who went equipment for sports on become a pharmacist. events or chairs for assemblies.

“That was so nice to see. So “He was a bit on the wrong many came from refugee camps track, but he came and helped and faced huge difficulties but me out. He just didn’t like now they’ve moved on and are being in class. He eventually doing interesting things,” she said left school and when he got an She remembered the 2006 apprenticeship as a mechanic, two-day event celebrating he and his mum came to my the 50th anniversary of the house to thank me for keeping founding of Shepp South him on the right track. That Tech as being a really special was very rewarding – he was occasion which brought a good kid deep down and he generations of people together. liked the hands-on stuff. He just “There was Ray McDonald and got side-tracked,” Trevor said.

Ted McDade who were retired

Leanne Newey and Trevor Wilson... making a good school great.

He has also worked with VCAL students, driven them to workshops, attended meetings and helped them choose the right materials. He has also boxed up science equipment for Leanne and in return she has helped him Google information for his projects.

“I’m not a teacher, I’m not qualified in anything. I just treat kids the way I would like to be treated – as young adults. And we have fun – I teach them you can still work and talk and have fun at the same time,’ he said.

Trevor will now move to the new Hawdon St campus with a fancy new job title – Logistics Officer. Leanne will have brand new, state-of-the-art science facilities and a chance to move around the site bringing her expertise to many more students.

But when the dust has settled on the huge transition, you get the sense their familiar qualities will return. Reliable, kind-hearted and skilled in the school of life.

Every great school has people like Leanne and Trevor.

Congratulations!

Greater Shepparton City Council would like to congratulate the Department of Education and Training and everyone involved with the completion of the new Greater Shepparton Secondary College.

The GSSC will provide their students with more opportunities, more subjects and state of the art purpose built facilities.

We have all watched the buildings grow from the ground up and it will be great to see the buildings functioning and the students settled.

We wish the students, teachers and staff all the very best as they come together at the new site, and may 2022 be a new beginning and a very positive year ahead.

Cr Kim O’Keeffe, Mayor Greater Shepparton City Council Greater Shepparton Secondary College Commemorative Publication - Brought to you by The Adviser and The Shepparton News

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PROUDLY P WERING THE GOULBURN VALLEY It has been an exciting journey as a business from late 2019, when Watters began the tendering of the Greater Shepparton Secondary College project, until practical completion at the end of 2021.

From day one our estimating and management team, headed by Justin Phillips, worked closely with local builders Hansen Yuncken to ensure Watters Electrical would be a part of delivering this defining project for the Goulburn Valley region.

Watters Electrical was engaged to deliver the Electrical, Dry Fire and Emergency warning system, public address and audio visual, as well as a specialised hearing augmentation system for hearing impaired staff and students.

“It has been imperative for Watters and our key suppliers, such as Wodonga Switchboard Manufacturers, Honeywell, Commscope, and Middy’s, to work hand-in-hand to get the job done, given the

level of detail and timeline of such a major project” Being a critical infrastructure project for the Department of Education, there was a large focus on local content. Watters Electrical contributed largely to this, with up to 50 electricians/apprentices on the project at peak times, enabling Watters to create local jobs for an additional 25 Goulburn Valley community members – the majority being apprentice electricians.

“WE ARE PLEASED TO RE-INVEST IN A COMMUNITY THAT HAS BEEN SO SUPPORTIVE OF US OVER PAST DECADES” WATTERS GENERAL MANAGER, PETER COPLEY Twelve of the new staff are fully qualified Class A electricians and 13 are new apprentices, securing employment during the economic downturn caused by COVID-19. The projects have also allowed the retention of an additional 15 workers.

For builder, Hansen Yuncken, and the contractors on-site – the majority being local to Greater Shepparton – work has been able to continue unabated.

The college is classed as critical state infrastructure, and both the Hawdon Street site and the Integrated Early Learning Centre, which is nearing completion in O’Brien St, Mooroopna, have

rigorous COVID-safe plans to manage and monitor risk.

“These projects are not only providing job security and career paths for members of our community, but they are also advancing education facilities, resources and outcomes for our students now and for years to come,” Mr Copley said.

Tobi Kennedy, Watters project manager, said the jobs are in an essential industry for many VCE graduates and mature-age apprentices in the wider community.

The facilities within the school are state-of-the-art and will enable teachers

to prepare the students for the next generation in areas such as technology, arts, sports and the sciences. Being able to contribute to this really is a rewarding feeling for our project team.

It also provided a great environment to train the next generation of electricians/ communications technicians in the Goulburn Valley region, something the region will benefit from for years to come on future projects.

This project has been even more satisfying working alongside such a collaborative project team and the builder Hansen Yuncken.

Fun facts

for the project Hours on the project 75,000 hours

Meters of cabling installed 12,500m of Mains & Sub mains cabling 90,000m of Power cabling 80,000m of Lighting cabling 35,000m of Dry fire & EWIS cabling 110,000m of Copper data cabling 5000m of Optic fibre cabling

SHEPPARTON • ALBURY/WODONGA • WANGARATTA ENQUIRE TODAY 1300 WATTERS industrial@watters.com.au www.watters.com.au 19-35 New Dookie Rd, Shepparton VIC REG 4409 NSW REG 253151C

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Greater Shepparton Secondary College Commemorative Publication - Brought to you by The Adviser and The Shepparton News