By Molly Magennis
Greenvale Secondary College will finally be welcoming students from 2022 after a decades-long battle to open a secondary school in the area.
Mark Natoli has been appointed principal of the new school and says there is a high level of expectation given how long the community has waited for it to open.
“Most people in the area will know that the community has advocated for its own local secondary school for over 20 years now. So I think it’d be a fair statement to say it’s long-awaited or well overdue,” he said.
Greenvale Secondary College is set to open for year seven students from next year and then take on more students as the first cohort progresses through the school, giving the year seven students a unique opportunity to shape the identity of the school.
“That’s a unique opportunity for any student coming into a school, but also it’s a chance for those foundation students and our staff to be part of shaping what this school is and the culture of it for years to come,” Mr Natoli said.
Construction of the school will take part in two stages, with the first stage ready for the commencement of the school year in 2022 and stage two dependent on government funding.
“What we’re expecting and hoping now is an announcement from the state government in next year’s budget. Stage two will then commence shortly after which sees the addition of another neighbourhood building but also a specialised visual arts building and performing arts and gymnasium,” Mr Natoli said.
Mr Natoli said community response to the new school has been overwhelmingly positive.
“The requests for enrolment have exceeded the places available which is not something that the education department had predicted.”
Once complete, the school will be able to accommodate 1100 students.
