Clyde families will soon have a new schooling option to choose from, with a sod turning ceremony held for independent school Clyde Grammar.
Mirvac and CSV Limited have celebrated breaking ground on the new independent school, which is located at Mirvac’s 240-hectare Smiths Lane estate in Clyde North, one of the largest landholdings in Melbourne’s south east.
The milestone was reached in a ceremony on Wednesday 21 April with Mirvac general manager of residential Victoria Elysa Anderson, Bass MP Jordan
Crugnale, Clyde Grammar principal Leanne Evans and CSV Limited chairman Marie Ormandy in attendance.
With the City of Casey’s population expected to grow significantly in the coming years, Mirvac has partnered with CSV Limited, founders of Casey Grammar School in Cranbourne and Balcombe Grammar School in Mount Martha, to deliver the prep to year 12 independent school.
Ms Anderson said that the milestone reinforced Mirvac’s 49-year legacy of creating sustainable communities with a focus on social connectivity and early access to quality education.
“Smiths Lane has experienced unprecedented demand since launch in September 2019, so it is an exciting opportunity to deliver critical infrastructure, such as Clyde Grammar, that will enable the neighbourhood and surrounding community to thrive and grow sustainably,” she said.
“Clyde Grammar will be the third school Mirvac has delivered within our Victoria masterplanned communities.
“The new independent school follows the successful opening of Bacchus Marsh Grammar at our Woodlea, Aintree community in February 2019 and the opening of Hume Anglican Grammar’s Donnybrook campus at Olivine in March 2019.
“Access to quality education is essential for every community we create. Clyde Grammar is just one of the many ways Smiths Lane will create a positive legacy for today’s children, as well as future generations.”
Construction of the school is expected to create 120 full-time jobs.
Clyde Grammar will allow for up to 1200 students when full prep to year 12 enrolment occurs.
In preparation for the opening of the campus in 2022 the school has already begun enrolments, with 87 prep and year 1 students currently learning while temporarily located at CSV Limited’s Casey Grammar School and enrolments now open for 2022.
Some of those students were attended the breaking ground ceremony for a first look at where the new facility will be located.
A total of 144 prep, year 1 and year 2 students are expected to start in 2022 at the brand new school with the year levels growing consecutively each calendar year.
Clyde Grammar School Principal, Leanne Evans, said students were looking forward to the new facility.
“Clyde Grammar students and staff are very excited to move to their new campus next year and to see our vision come to life,” she said.
“They particularly love the idea of the two-storey building and are excited to discover what the future playground will look like.”
The completion of the school’s Stage 1, including a two-storey primary centre, will feature 14 primary classrooms, seven studio/breakout learning areas, a common collaborative learning area, library, student amenities, disabled toilets, sick bay, staff offices and reception area, and outdoor learning and play areas.
Upon completion, the school is also planned to include a learning centre, chapel, middle school, double level year 7 building, VCE Centre, PAC Centre, gymnasium, as well as arts, science and technology centres.
Indoor and outdoor sports facilities will include multipurpose courts, senior football oval, sports pavilion and numerous courtyards and play areas.
Bass MP Jordan Crugnale said the day was “celebratory” for the community.
The State Government has contributed $5 to the construction of the school’s primary centre.
“With more than a third of Victorian students attending Independent and Catholic schools, our significant investment through a dedicated fund ensures all our kids have access to the best buildings and facilities so they can be inspired and challenged,” Ms Crugnale said.
“Learning environments have an impact on education, and we all want our kids to be confident, have a positive sense of self, and be active citizens with a strong voice.
“I can’t wait to see this new primary school open in 2022.”
The $1 billion Smiths Lane community is anticipated to become home for 6750 residents, and will feature a future town centre with a supermarket, specialty stores and fresh produce, restaurants and key services, a childcare centre, council community activity centre, adult education facilities and business and co-working spaces.
The masterplan for Smiths Lane also includes 55 hectares of dedicated public open space, including 11 hectares of sporting facilities and green space located around 200 metres from every one of the approximately 2800 homes.
More than 30 per cent of the community is dedicated to green space, with walking and bike trails connecting residents with the future café, childcare facility, retail, restaurants and other community-focused amenities.
Construction at Smiths Lane is already underway, with 192 lots now titled and a further 412 lots under construction.
Works on the first local park and expansive wetlands are to commence in the next month, with a further two local parks to start in the next six months.
