New centre a study in concentration

By Glen Atwell
COMBINE free periods with VCE students, and the result is usually a trip to the canteen or even the local shops.
Not for Hampton Park Secondary College students.
The school recently celebrated the official opening of its Senior School Study Centre, a facility that provides VCE students with a welcoming and well-equipped room for free-time study.
The study centre has quickly become the place to be for VCE students, and provides important materials for the students as they prepare to leave school to undertake further education or employment.
Career advice, year level coordinators and internet-enabled computers are among some of the resources available in the study centre.
Hampton Park Secondary College senior school manager Sue Simadri said students enjoyed having a place to go during free periods.
“We recognised the need to give students a quiet place to study, or seek advice, and we’re impressed with the way the students are utilising the space,” she said.
Ms Simadri said with 350 VCE students at the school, the room was always full.
“The students have really taken to the concept. It means they are using their time productively.”
The centre is open outside normal school hours, allowing the senior students to arrive early or study late.
“It’s generally open between 8am and 4:30pm. “This is one of its big attractions,” Ms Simadri said.
The school hopes to one day install data projectors and other multimedia equipment in the study centre.