By BRIDGET COOK
A MAJOR development of a planned education precinct in Clyde North will be launched next week with the official opening of a new college.
Rivercrest Christian College will open on Tuesday, with three and four-year-old classes in the Early Learning Centre, two Prep classes and a Year 1 class.
The new school is on the same grounds as Hillcrest Christian College and will eventually cater for about 1200 students from early learning to Year 12.
Crest Education executive principal Daniel Pampuch, who oversees both Hillcrest and Rivercrest colleges, said the new school would form part of a planned education precinct.
“The new school will leverage off the fact that it is nestled beside a 27-acre nature reserve, owned by the school,” he said.
“The overall 138-acre site will become an Educational Precinct, encompassing two schools, Hillcrest and Rivercrest, two co-curricular centres, equestrian centre and environmental centre, and the final element currently being negotiated will be a tertiary campus.
“These five elements will form the Crest Education Precinct.
“In essence, we are providing an innovative learning stream of education.”
Mr Pampuch said they expanded due to long waiting lists for Hillcrest, particularly in the junior school.
“Families love to be part of a school which has waiting lists, but nobody likes to be on those lists,” he said.
“The school site is surrounded by new housing estates and many more are opening soon.
“In opening Rivercrest, we are providing a unique offering to families moving into these estates.”
Rivercrest head of college Michelle Cafini said the staff had been busily working over the last few weeks to set up the classrooms in preparation for our opening.
“Rivercrest Christian College will offer a curriculum that is concept-driven and inquiry based,” she said.
“As the college is situated adjacent to the 27 acres environmental reserve at the eastern perimeter of the property, the curriculum is designed to incorporate environmental education as a central theme.
“Students at Rivercrest will be encouraged to see themselves as global citizens, where as well as acquiring knowledge, will be encouraged to recognise the contribution and responsibility they have to create a better and more peaceful world.”
The next stage of the school’s development is already underway to cater for the school’s growth in the coming years.
It is expected that Year 7 students will start at the school in 2016 or 2017.
