Emmanuel College in 2022 made one of the most significant changes in the school’s history, having made the decision to consolidate its operations onto a single campus - the McAuley Campus in Botanic Road.
This decision follows an extensive review of the College Masterplan and a feasibility study to identify the option with the greatest long-term benefit for the College and the most positive impact upon student learning and safety.
The consolidation of year levels at the McAuley Campus was one of the most significant and exciting projects undertaken in the school’s history. The move has been transformative in the process of constructing a new and innovative Year Nine Learning Centre to complement the dedicated junior and senior schools that began operating in 2022. All students will be housed on the one site, removing the need for anyone to travel between two campuses for lessons.Peter Morgan - Principal
Embarking on the next stage of campus reinvention, Emmanuel College is expected to commence construction this year of its new state of the art Edmund Rice Centre.
Emmanuel College is excited to announce progress in the planning of The Edmund Rice Centre, a $16 million dollar contemporary precinct for year nine students.
The precinct will have the capacity for up to 250 students, positioned at the rear of the McAuley Campus adjacent to the Mercy Place aged care facility.
Construction is expected to commence in the second half of 2023 and take 18 months to complete, ready to occupy from the start of the 2025 school year.
Emmanuel College Principal Peter Morgan said The Edmund Rice Centre is the most expensive and expansive project undertaken by the College in its 150 year history.
“When planning commenced 12 months ago the college applied through the Catholic capital grants process for a grant, and has been awarded a grant of $2 million towards the precinct by the Australian Federal government," Mr. Morgan said.
“The balance of the precinct will be self funded with the College reliant on parent contributions and a loan of $12 million repaid over several years.
“The development of the Edmund Rice Centre will facilitate the remaining consolidation of the Emmanuel Staff and Students to the one campus from 2025, and provide an exciting, contemporary learning environment reflecting the diverse approaches to learning the [email protected] Program constitutes.
“I am extremely grateful for the work of College Business Manager Stephen Kerr, and the support of the College Building and Finance Committees and their expert advice that helps us plan and undertake these projects.”
Planning for the facility has been underway for 12 months working with architect Baldasso Cortesse to capture detailed designs and documentation and to prepare the project for tender in 2023.
The architects have been consulting with staff who will work in the new facility to capture the unique learning and teaching requirements of the [email protected] program; a new program which began in 2022.
The development of the Edmund Rice Centre will facilitate the remaining consolidation of the Emmanuel Staff and Students to the one campus from 2025, and provide an exciting, contemporary learning environment reflecting the diverse approaches to learning the [email protected] Program constitutes.Peter Morgan - Principal
Collectively, these changes enable Emmanuel College to become the leading dynamic educational provider within the region that it aspires to be.
The consolidation of facilities on one site enables the College to deliver an exciting, first-class learning experience that will best meet the future needs of all students throughout their secondary school journey.
The College is confident the project will be delivered with minimal disruption to staff and students. The goal is to complete the relocation and consolidation of all school operations on to one campus by the end of 2024, subject to the finalisation of budgets, design concepts and planning approvals.
It is hoped the relocation of all students to the McAuley Campus will occur as the 2025 school year commences.
The commitment to proceed with this project has been carefully considered and planned over an extensive period of time, and follows a comprehensive feasibility study undertaken by an independent architect as well as close consultation with the Parish, which has owned the site since 1914.
The Parish has enjoyed a close and active relationship with Emmanuel College and, given the importance of the decision, there has been extensive discussion and analysis of the options by both the School and Parish.
The result, a commitment to consolidate the College onto one campus, is a shared decision between the College and the Parish. Both parties agree the decision will deliver exceptional educational and stewardship benefits to both the School and the wider Catholic communities.
As we embark upon this exciting journey, we will engage with the School community to answer questions and we will provide regular updated information about the project.
In 2022 we celebrated 150 years of education on the site now known as Emmanuel College. The College also brought in changes to the College structure designed to have a positive impact on student learning:
The new learning structure in 2022 has been supported by the redesign and expansion of the McAuley Campus Library, which was officially opened in May 2021 and the building of a new Science precinct in 2021. Work is now complete in developing and expanding the Science precinct, with six laboratories, four classrooms and multiple, flexible learning and gathering spaces. The area below the Science Centre has also been expanded to provide a gathering space with tiered seating, cafe seating and study booths for those who prefer to study or collaborate in a less quiet environment than the Library.
