In anticipation of a rise in the number of Catholic students in the near future, Queensland Catholic schools such as Mt Alveria College in Kedron have been expanding their infrastructure.
There are currently 304 Catholic schools in Queensland based on Queensland Catholic Education Commission (QCEC). However, recent data shows that these schools may need to expand or the state may need to build more schools due to the projected additional 47,000 Catholic students by 2036.
QCEC, which is the peak body for Catholic schools, is tasked to deal with government funding, but the diocese or religious institutions are responsible for building and expanding schools. Dr Lee-Anne Perry, the executive director of QCEC, said that the government’s decision to include Capital Assistance funding of $45 million every year for three years in this year’s State Budget will help them with the infrastructure needs.
The government also prepares for the influx of students in state schools via their 2020 Ready Program. In the suburb, Kedron State High was also given a $5.1-million funding to build new facilities within the campus. The $250-million program aims to helps state schools in Queensland with their infrastructure needs following the two educational reforms that took place in the past years.
Better Facilities At Mt Alvernia College
In Kedron, Mt Alvernia College has taken on a number of expansions to accommodate more students in the future. It collaborates with the firm m3architecture that has shown interest in supporting Catholic schools with the growing number of students in the state.
Mt Alvernia College’s masterplan commenced in 2011 and by then, the firm was able to complete establishments within the campus such as the la verna building and the la foresta garden.
The master plan centers around the patron saint of flora and fauna, St Francis. It proposed a school based around three gardens. The la foresta garden is also a place where students can learn. It has science labs, economics spaces, and General Learning Areas (GLAs).
Overall, the project includes 20 classrooms, six laboratories, three home economics spaces, commercial kitchen and cafeteria, administration, a prayer space, a roof terrace, and the community garden.
Michael Lavery, the director of the architecture firm also said that they are working with Catholic schools to build newer infrastructure that can accommodate the influx of students in the coming years.
