Arcadia College Varsity Lakes: First look inside school’s new $11.4 million Robina campus

A Gold Coast high school is moving to a stunning new campus which has an indoor basketball court and three-storey rock climbing wall among its features. SEE VIDEO AND PHOTOS

AN $11.4 MILLION high tech specialty school, complete with an indoor basketball court and three storey rock-climbing wall, is finally complete.

Arcadia College, a coeducational independent Specialty Assistance School which currently has a campus in Varsity Lakes, will be moving to its new digs in Robina early next year.

CEO Aaron Devine at Arcadia College Robina, the new improved site that has cost millions to build. Picture Glenn Hampson

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The school, which works with disengaged students, started with just ten pupils at a community centre in Palm Beach a decade ago.

It now cates for 240 students from years seven to twelve, with the new three level 3,000 sqm campus providing a capacity for up to 300.

Staff member Ryan Cullen at Arcadia College Robina’s indoor sports area. Picture Glenn Hampson

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The school includes specialty learning rooms, recreational areas, an IT hub and a commercial grade kitchen which provides three meals a day for the students.

Classrooms are designed with additional space for students with sensory input needs or attention disorders such as those diagnosed with ADHD, allowing them to work alone while still being included.

CEO Aaron Devine at Arcadia College Robina. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

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Arcadia College CEO Aaron Devine described the transition as a shift from “boiled lollies to chocolates”.

“The new site for Arcadia College has been created to support and empower our students by offering a school environment that is engaging and future-focused to achieve their goals in both school and in life,” he said.

The new three-storey Arcadia College at Robina will have room for 300 students. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

The massive indoor rock climbing space. Picture Glenn Hampson

The new campus cost $11.4 million to build. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

“Arcadia College provides an alternative learning environment that in addition to teachers and teacher aids embeds additional wellbeing staff members in classrooms to assist our students.”

The school has a staff ratio of one staff member to every seven students, with the staff group including social workers, phycologists, teachers, teacher aides and more.

The school was designed by Gold Coast architects Burling Brown.