COLLEGE TAKES MIDDLE GROUND
A $2.5 MILLION build has been approved for one of the Gold Coast’s larger private schools, despite the COVID19 crisis.
Hillcrest Christian College has awarded a building contract for its new middle learning community (MLC), catering for more than 500 students in Years 5 to 8. It is due to open in 2021.
The contract was awarded to local building firm Stokes Wheeler, which is to build the equivalent of 10 new learning spaces arranged in an “open, flexible and adaptive learning environment’’.
According to the school, the project is necessary because of growing enrolment numbers.
Construction of the new middle school will comprise a centre, a covered courtyard for indoor and outdoor learning, an openair artificial grassed area for sport and a covered doublecourt sports stadium.
Executive head of college Jeff Davis said construction was funded jointly by Hillcrest and the Queensland Independent Schools Block Grant Authority.
“Our move to a junior, middle and senior learning community structure reflects the ‘small school’ philosophy that underpins the history of Hillcrest,” Mr Davis said.
“We believe that students who feel secure, valued and comfortable in their environment can achieve their full potential.
“The middle learning community will cater for students in Years 5 to 8 and is designed to provide an environment and curriculum that are tailored for the needs of children at this stage of development into early adulthood.
“The college is excited to be investing in the future of our students by providing such a world-class facility.”