Norwood Secondary College fights for State Government cash for new gym

THIS rundown secondary college in Melbourne’s outer east has 1100 students but no gym or performing arts centre. It hasn’t had any significant upgrades since the 1970s.

A view of old classrooms at Norwood Secondary College on Tuesday, October 6, 2014, in Ringwood, Australia. Picture: Hamish Blair

NORWOOD Secondary College has stepped up its fight for a promised gym after four decades of funding neglect.

The 1100-student school has no gym or performing arts centre, which principal Andrew Sloane said had restricted sporting opportunities and the school’s ability to move forward.

The State Government last year committed $4.5 million for a gym and performing arts centre to be shared by Norwood and nearby Mullum Primary School. The gym was to be built on the Norwood site, but Mr Sloane said the money was yet to be seen.

He also said the amount would not be enough to cover the cost.

“This is unsatisfactory – we don’t have anywhere to run whole college assemblies or celebratory events,” Mr Sloane said.

“And because (the site) is on a hill, eight portables will need to be moved, which will cost $70,000 a building. Unfortunately the sum provided is insufficient.”

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Mr Sloane said there had been no significant government cash for the school since a library was built in the 1970s.

Since then, almost all building upgrades had been self-funded, which was eating into the budget.

Portable classrooms at Norwood Secondary College. Picture: Hamish Blair

School council president Cathie Wright said she had seen no change to the facilities since she was a student in the ‘90s.

“There is no space for (our) kids to explore and learn in and it’s not conducive to current learning styles,” Ms Wright said.

“The buildings are falling apart and we have to spend school funds to patch it up and keep the school together.”

Mr Sloane said parents of prospective students had indicated they would take their children elsewhere if progress was not made soon.

“Our staff are innovative and skilled and our projects are excellent, but we would be able to deliver more contemporary programs and activities if we had the facilities to enable modern practices.”

Ringwood state Liberal MP Dee Ryall said the rundown school was in an appalling state and the students were not being put first.

Education Department spokesman Steve Tolley did not respond to specific questions about the college but said the Government committed $19 million to the Maroondah regeneration project that included Melba, Ringwood Secondary and Norwood Secondary colleges and Mullum Primary School.