Students give college site their top marks

River and Bush Rangers from the college explored the natural environment and the Roland Road, Parkerville, area.

The college, which provides education from pre-kindergarten to Year 10, plans to build the new campus in two stages.

Stage one will see buildings for Years 9, 10, 11 and 12 open by January, 2015.

Buildings for Years 7 and 8 will be ready by January 2018.

Each year group is expected to have about 90 students, with a total student population of about 540.

The excursion was part of the Cadet program, where students have an opportunity to learn about nature, how to preserve the environment and to develop a passion for outdoor adventure.

The college seeks to create a culture where students learn to become ‘good stewards of the earth’.

Head of teaching and learning Cherylynne Gostelow said the college had won a number of environmental awards.

‘We know that our families live in the Hills for a reason and we partner with them to provide an educational program where the environment is celebrated and respected,’ Mrs Gostelow said.

‘This culture will prevail at the proposed high school campus.

‘Our brief to the architects from the beginning was that we wanted a building that would disappear into the landscape.’

Mrs Gostelow said she hoped the beauty of the landscape would help to give students a desire to excel in their studies.

‘Every time I visit the site I feel even more enthusiastic about the work we are doing,’ she said.