Located in Shepparton in regional Victoria, the Greater Shepparton Secondary College project was the result of an amalgamation of four smaller secondary schools into one ‘super school’. Spread over an expansive 90,060m2, the College has capacity for 3,000 students – now the largest school undertaken by the Victorian Schools Building Authority.

Following a carefully considered masterplan, the team expertly constructed three ‘neighbourhoods’ on the triangular shaped site – each named after native trees in local Indigenous language. Each neighbourhood combines three classrooms, with expansive play areas, generous courtyards and vegetable gardens. In addition to the three multipurpose buildings, the College includes a gymnasium, Enterprise and Innovation Centre and seamlessly integrates the existing 1909 schoolhouse.

The focus from the outset was to build a community, not just for students but for families and wider community

Social sustainability and community engagement was at the forefront of this ambitious project. With 3,000 jobs created throughout construction, 74% of suppliers and subcontractors were local to the Shepparton community and included opportunities for Indigenous workers, people with a disability and women in construction.