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Seymour College to complete $30 million upgrade in time for centenary in 2022

AN Adelaide girls school has unveiled a $30 million building plan — including boosting city and sea views — saying it will finish in just five years for its centenary in 2022. See the pictures

One of the new laboratories planned for Seymour College.
One of the new laboratories planned for Seymour College.

SEYMOUR College has unveiled a $30 million building plan — including boosting city and sea views — saying it will finish in just five years for the school’s centenary in 2022.

The Glen Osmond girls school, Adelaide’s second dearest with Year 12 fees of $25,725, will start next week on the first of four major projects — a library refurbishment into a technology-filled “learning and innovation centre”.

Next will be a $7 million junior school rebuild and a $10 million upgrade of an existing wing into a state-of-the-art senior school for Years 10-12. Major landscaping for outdoor learning is the fourth element.

One of the new laboratories planned for Seymour College.
One of the new laboratories planned for Seymour College.

Principal Kevin Tutt said the senior school would feature STEM labs, other learning spaces, plus “effective use of glass to maximise the view to the city and coast, and a modern, tertiary-style environment more suited to the needs of young adult learners.”

The total cost of $25-30 million will be funded from school reserves, borrowing and a philanthropic campaign with an ambitious $5 million target.

What the redeveloped Seymour College library will look like.
What the redeveloped Seymour College library will look like.

The school has 750 students after peaking at 862 in 2011. Another 200 are enrolled in the early learning centre.

“The masterplan is part of an overall strategy to upgrade and modernise the campus and to sustain and grow enrolment,” Mr Tutt said, adding other initiatives included “a leading edge approach to middle schooling to be implemented next year”.

Artist impression of the new junior school to be built at Seymour College.
Artist impression of the new junior school to be built at Seymour College.

The college is rebounding after the sudden, unexplained departure last year of former principal Melissa Powell, less than a year into the job, prompting a backlash against the school board over a “revolving door” of leadership. Mr Tutt, a former Prince Alfred College principal, secured a five-year contract in June.

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/seymour-college-to-complete-30-million-upgrade-in-time-for-centenary-in-2022/news-story/564a2909bf22cbcf083d8f02ef123b08