The school’s innovative design is one of Victoria’s seven vertical schools rolled out since 2017. Minister Merlino described the project as ‘state-of-the-art’, and said ‘projects like McKinnon Secondary College’s new campus and the other vertical schools will make sure our children have access to the facilities they deserve.’
This project will cater for 1100 students as an additional campus for McKinnon Secondary College, opening in 2022. This new campus will include a four-storey building with contemporary spaces and all of the state-of-the-art facilities that are required – visual arts, performing arts, science labs, a competition-grade gym, canteen, general-purpose classrooms.
For SEMZ Senior Project Manager, Jason Demetlica, managing this project throughout the difficulties presented this year has been hugely rewarding. ‘The teams from K2LD and ADCO have worked collaboratively with us to meet requirements brought in as a result of the pandemic. Despite these restrictions, progress has forged ahead with no adverse impact to the project’s program.’
School principal Pitsa Binnion thanked Minister Merlino for the Victorian Government’s investment in McKinnon Secondary College and spoke of the successful partnership between the school and the teams on site. ‘Our kids are worth every cent that our government is investing in schools, our teachers are doing us proud. Thanks to my team from McKinnon, and ADCO and K2LD. Thanks to the incredible people we have been working with at SEMZ, who really have been driving us to address everything that we need to, what a great partnership it’s been.’
As with every educational facility the SEMZ team contribute to, we are both proud and grateful for the opportunity to contribute to Victoria’s future by improving the student experience for current and future generations.