The newly created Orbost Community College is a source of pride for the small, rural community. Local primary and secondary students are enjoying the opportunity to learn together at the new P–12 school on the former secondary college site (the result of the merging of Orbost Primary School, Orbost North Primary School and Orbost Secondary College).
The new school ensures families and educators in Orbost have access to the high-quality contemporary facilities that a larger school can provide.
The new P–12 college opened its doors on day one of Term 1, 2024, after years of planning by the Department of Education and the local school communities.
The college includes:
- a modern food technology building
- multi-purpose classrooms in a junior learning hub
- an expanded contemporary staffroom
- a multicourt and outdoor stage area.
Orbost resident, school alumni and parent Sammi Reynolds loves the new facilities her young family will get to enjoy.
‘The build is magnificent, and I’m excited to see what potential opportunities that can give to our kids,’ Sammi said.
Sammi remembers how daunting it was moving from her primary school of 20 to 30 children to the much larger secondary school. She says she can see the benefits of a smoother transition.
To symbolise bringing grades Prep to 12 together, the whole school community was invited to an opening ceremony where, for the ribbon cutting, a Prep student held one end of the ribbon and Year 12 student held the other end.
The project’s aim was to create a school for all students and families in the local community, improve the quality and consistency of teaching and wellbeing practices, and boost the school’s ability to attract and retain quality staff.
Alison Clark, Executive Director, Outer Gippsland, South-Eastern Victoria Region, says that education investment has far-reaching impacts.
'For a small rural community like Orbost to receive investment in its educational facilities when other industries are declining in the area, it gives opportunities and optimism not only to students attending the new college but to the whole school community.’
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