Big facilities for junior school

MP Jason Wood,Headmaster Tony Sheumack and junior school leaders officially open the building. 178105 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

By Bonny Burrows

Beaconhills College’s junior school students now have the top-notch facilities to match their curriculum.
Stage one of Beaconhills College’s junior school development is now complete, and the school community celebrated the long-awaited project with an official opening ceremony on 8 March.
The $3.64 million project involved the development of six new general purpose classrooms, a large multiple-purpose space, undercover play area and additional staff and student amenities at the Berwick campus.
Junior school students have praised the new facilities, and said it was “very exciting” to see the project complete.
Students Jackson O’Brien and Nikhil Kasarla gave a brief overview of the project at the official opening, which was attended by students, staff, family, community leaders and the Melbourne Archbishop Dr Philip Freier.
Jackson said he was pleased to see “bigger spaces for learning”, while Nikhil was impressed with the interactive technology, which includes Smart Board technology, full Wi-Fi and iPads, in each classroom.
College headmaster Tony Sheumack said while the new building was “fantastic”, he reminded the school community a school was not defined by its amenities.
“A successful school really is not just built on the beautiful buildings….it’s the people that makes Beaconhills what it is. Not the buildings,” Mr Sheumack said.
The Archbishop agreed, saying the school should be “grateful” for all opportunities that came its way, through the generousity of the school community and others.
“You’ve got some wonderful facilities in the school and I think it’s good to be thankful for what we have,” he said.
The project was funded through contributions by the school and Federal Government.