Students at Northcote High are a step closer to getting the facilities they need for a great start in life, with an architect appointed to design the school’s exciting upgrade.

Member for Northcote, Kat Theophanous, today announced that Kerstin Thompson Architects has been appointed to design the school’s $8 million upgrade.

A joint proposal presented to the Minister for Education from the Member for Northcote, Northcote High School and the school community secured the funding to deliver a brand-new multipurpose learning facility with state-of-the-art specialist learning areas.

Northcote High is one of the largest government schools in Victoria and has been facing significant challenges as a result of booming enrolments, aging facilities and a small inner urban footprint. The new facilities will mean every student for generations to come will have the opportunity to grow and thrive in modern fit-for-purpose buildings.

Ms Theophanous noted that the appointment of Kerstin Thompson Architects was particularly exciting as this will be their second collaboration with the school, having designed the school’s striking Performing Arts Centre.

Opened in 2019 with a $4.5 million investment from the Andrews Labor Government, Northcote High’s Performing Arts Centre includes specialised learning spaces for music, drama and theatre studies, a senior study centre and the 155 seat Black Box Theatre.

Kerstin Thompson Architects were recognised for the beauty and functionality of their design, with the Performing Arts building winning a prestigious Victorian School Design Award for best school project under $5 million.

In the past seven years, the Victorian Government has invested more than $10.9 billion in building new schools and more than 1,700 school upgrades, creating around 13,500 jobs in construction and associated industries. In the Northcote Electorate, over $78 million has been invested in local schools in recent years.

The Labor Government is building the Education State to ensure that every student can access a great local school and get a quality education.

Quotes attributable to Member for Northcote

“This is a fantastic outcome for Northcote High School and I look forward to seeing Kerstin Thompson Architects bring the same creativity and innovation to this project as they did for the award-winning Performing Arts Centre.”

“Northcote families know how important this upgrade is for our students and we’re exciting to see it moving forward.”