St Paul’s College in Balwyn wins award for redevelopment after ‘education version of The Block’
Two years ago, St Paul’s College was rundown and in need of a makeover. But after moving to Balwyn in a whirlwind five-month building process that was likened to the hit Channel 9 TV show, it’s been rewarded for its spectacular design. SEE PICTURES
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A Boroondara school is relishing its new home, with the principal describing the construction process as an “education version of The Block”.
St Paul’s College relocated to Balwyn last year and the P-12 college is now at capacity, with waiting lists for 2021 and 2022.
The college, which was founded in 1957, finally moved from Kew’s Fernhurst Grove — its larger but outdated home — in early 2019.
Tim Hemphill was only made principal two weeks before the permits and notices came through regarding the school’s move from its larger but dilapidated Kew site to Balwyn.
But after a “whirlwind” construction process — the principal described it as “a bit like an education version of The Block” — students moved into the Brenbeal St site on February 4, 2019 — fewer than five months after work started.
The results were spectacular, culminating in a modernisation award from Learning Environments Australia for the $5.2 million redevelopment.
Mr Hemphill said the responsibility of creating a genuine specialist or hybrid school in terms of special education weighed heavily, but ultimately it is something they are extremely proud of.
“We wanted to go beyond a lot of the physical needs, meeting the sensory experience,” he said.
“It’s not about being the best, it’s about telling everyone that you deserve the most creative and purpose-built centre that makes you feel that you belong and you get the most out of this.”
ClarkeHopkinsClarke Architects designed the school, with education partner Simon Le Nepveu describing the project as challenging but satisfying.
He said they were most proud of “the sensory integration elements within the schools, as well as special features like Lumes technology and cocoon spaces”.
“All the different multisensory opportunities for students to self-regulate, to find their own space,” Mr Le Nepveu said.
The school is also launching a vocation program, where students learn about hospitality, with social enterprise and horticultural elements.
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“I think it’s great that we have a fantastic facility, but we have to make the most of it,” Mr Hemphill said.
“Special education often gets a little relegated … grandparents will say ‘oh no, they’re not going to a specialist school’.
“But I’d love to break down the notion of what that is.”
The school is associated with Villa Maria Catholic Homes.
For details, visit the website.
