New Anglican Grammar school to be built in Shepparton

A $50 million private college is being built in Shepparton in response to the troubled “super” school.

A $50 million private school will be built in Shepparton in response to its troubled “super” secondary college.

The Anglican Schools Commission (ASC) has bought a 16-acre site on Verney Rd in Shepparton North to provide education from prep to year 12.

It comes as the Victorian Government prepares to open the controversial Greater Secondary College’s super campus — combining four government schools and more than 2400 students at the one site — in 2022.

With some families considering moving to avoid the super school, ASC chief executive Reverend Peter Laurence said the new site would offer an alternative education.

It will employ about 150 teachers and support staff when the school is at capacity.

“We’re thrilled to be making this commitment to the Greater Shepparton community to provide another educational choice for local families,” Mr Laurence said.

“Subject to government approvals, the school will offer all classes from prep to Year 7 in 2024 and grow to a prep to Year 12 school by 2029.

“The ASC will invest about $50 million into building our Shepparton school in stages over the next 10 to 15 years.

“We are making a major commitment to the Greater Shepparton community and I look forward to welcoming students, teachers and families to our school very soon.”

Mr Laurence said ASC schools were coeducational and low-fee, committed to inclusion and diversity — schools where students of all faiths and none are welcomed.

“Our schools provide outstanding teaching and learning in a caring, Christian environment,” he said.

In a Facebook post, Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell described the announcement as “welcome news” but said it didn’t help those who attend government schools.

“A new private school to be built in Greater Shepparton is welcome news. It’s construction will bring an economic boost to our city and it will provide greater choice for families who can afford a private education,” the post said.

“However, this new school will not provide choice for those families who rely on the State provided public school system and it will also lead to a further concentration of disadvantage at the Greater Shepparton Secondary College ’Super School’.

“I will continue to work with local families who want a choice of public secondary education for their children to ensure their voices are heard by the Andrews Labor Government.

“A government that has closed schools and stripped families of choice of schools in Greater Shepparton.”

The Anglican Schools Commission owns and operates 15 schools in Victoria, NSW and Western Australia.

There are three ASC schools in the region, including Cobram Anglican Grammar School, Cathedral College Wangaratta and Trinity Anglican College in Albury-Wodonga.

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Originally published as New Anglican Grammar school to be built in Shepparton