Footscray High School opens gates to students for first time

The gates have opened at Footscray High School. The new secondary college is a merger of the former Gilmore College for Girls and Footscray City College and saw boys allowed on Gilmore’s Barkley St campus for the first time.

Darcie, Jasper and Lucienne are excited to start their first day of high school at the new secondary school. Picture: Rob Leeson

Hundreds of students have stepped through the gates of Footscray High School today for the first time.

The school took classes today for the first time since merging Gilmore College for Girls and Footscray City College into the one school.

The multi-campus school will retain the existing grounds at Barkly St and Kinnear St, splitting the two into a junior and senior campus.

The Kinnear St campus will host students from years 10 to 12, while Barkly St will be home to years seven through nine.

But this year, 300 odd Year 7’s have the whole campus to themselves.

Year 7 students celebrate the grand opening of the school. Picture: Rob Leeson

Footscray High School principal Frank Vetere said the new school would focus on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics – or the STEAM subjects.

“We’re a future focus school looking at needs for the 21st century,” he said.

The Barkly St campus was previously home to Gilmore College for Girls. Picture: Mark Wilson

Significant work will be undertaken over the coming years to improve the existing facilities and build a third campus.

A three-storey community building will be built at the Barkly St campus, a significant science upgrade will take place at the Kinnear St campus and a new campus for year seven to nine students will be built on Pilgrim St.

All the projects are expected to be completed by 2021.

Darcie, Jasper and Lucienne in the new school uniforms. Picture: Rob Leeson

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Mr Vetere said he was “really excited” for the opening.

“There’s new uniforms, a new name, it’s the first time boys have come to Barkly St because it was a girls campus for many years, so it is quite exciting,” he said.

The principal said it was really fulfilling to finally see all the years of planning come to life.

“It’s about the students feeling comfortable, feeling safe, and we’ve got a great environment to begin secondary school,” Mr Vetere said.

The schools 1469 students were presented with foundation badges and tote bags this morning at a formal assembly to celebrate the occasion.