By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
EIGHT years ago Kambrya College was the last school on a parent’s list to send their child – now the revolutionised Berwick school can’t cope with enrolment numbers.
Since ‘Revolution School’ aired on ABC TV in May this year, Kambrya College’s popularity with the nation and local families has skyrocketed.
College principal Michael Muscat said he was in discussions with the Education Department on ways to cope with enrolment interest.
“We are really starting to connect with the community and they have given us a vote of confidence,” Mr Muscat said.
“We will grow from 1200 students to 1350 next year.”
Mr Muscat confirmed changes would have to be made on school grounds to cater for the student boom.
“We’ll have to bring in some extra accommodation for students, extra classrooms and employ some more teachers,” Mr Muscat said.
Enrolment zoning is also expected to be discussed this month with the Education Department.
“I think there is great days ahead for Kambrya College because of the quality of teaching we have here- they are always looking to improve their teaching,” Mr Muscat said.
Despite the series capturing enraged parents, fights in the playground and a student being busted with marijuana – the students’ triumph won out in the end.
The positive feedback for the school, which Mr Muscat said hit “rock bottom” in 2008, had been a wave of excitement for a school which was among one of the most consistently low-performing schools in the state.
“We weren’t in control of this film series – we didn’t know what the outcome would be, but greatly relieved on the other side now,” he said.
“The response has been 95 per cent positive since the series aired.”
Mr Muscat said prominent character, Michael who was in the Darrabi classroom for troubled students became a sub-school captain during the series and is still reaping the rewards.
“Young Michael is moving from strength to strength,” he said.
“He was the one actually that really touched the big bad world, he’s got an enormous amount of personal feedback through social media and the vast majority of people congratulated him and wished him well.”
Revolution School is available to watch on ABC iView.
