THORNBURY HIGH SCHOOL STEAM CENTRE DESIGN REVEALED
Stunning architectural designs have been revealed for a new $14.9 million STEAM Centre at Thornbury High School, in an online event hosted by the Member for Northcote, Kat Theophanous on 20 October.
Current and future students and families of Thornbury High joined Ms Theophanous, Principal Michael Keenan and architect Laurence Robinson to view the digital renders and see a fly-through video of the planned upgrades to the school.
The major redevelopment was announced in 2020 as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s pandemic recovery budget and will deliver a brand-new Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths building on the Dundas Street side of the campus.
Designed by Brand Architects, the new facilities will include modern teaching, break out and presentation spaces as well as a ceramics, textiles, food technology and fabrication workshop. Cutting edge labs will build on the long track record the school has in teaching science.
The project will also deliver a substantial increase in landscaped open space, with the demolition of some existing buildings making room for a large agora style circular courtyard and pathways to create improved connections across the school.
The school community were thrilled to see the plans for the new building, with parent Natalie Jamieson of Thornbury High Development Working Group commenting “It looks absolutely fantastic! These teaching spaces are only going to enrich the school’s capacity to offer and deliver STEAM programs”.
Ms Theophanous recounted the long campaign to secure the funding for the upgrade, which culminated in Premier Daniel Andrews making the announcement at the school on State Budget Day in 2020. She congratulated the school, parents and students who worked in partnership with her to put forward the proposal to bring Thornbury High’s vision to life.
This project is the most recent step in the ongoing transformation of Thornbury High into a truly modern learning environment. It follows the completion of a new Gymnasium and Performing Arts Centre in 2020 with a $5.1 million investment from the Andrews Labor Government, as well as three new outdoor netball courts as part of the Government’s Inner City Netball Program.
Thornbury High’s upgrades are one of 13 capital works projects now complete, funded or underway in the Northcote Electorate. Since 2018, the electorate has seen over $78 million secured for school upgrades.
The Andrews Government has delivered an unprecedented $9 billion in schools across Victoria, delivering 1,600 school upgrades, 100 new schools and creating more than 10,000 construction jobs.
Quotes attributable to Kat Theophanous MP:
“The new STEAM Centre will be truly transformational for Thornbury High. It will not only create modern cutting-edge facilities, but expand opportunities for our students to pursue their interests and learn the skills they need for the jobs of the future.”
“I’m determined to see schools across the inner north get the funding they need. In recent years, the State Labor Government has committed over $20 million to upgrade and modernise Thornbury High.”
“This funding is the result of an incredible collaborative effort with the school community to put forward a compelling case and a positive campaign. It is great example of what can be achieved when we work together.”
