A state-of-the-art learning centre for year nine students to collaborate and thrive.

The redevelopment transformed a heavily modified and awkwardly arranged 1963 building into an open, interconnected series of learning spaces for Year 9 students. The design aims to integrate the learning experiences of the Marshmead Campus outdoors program with extensive outdoor learning spaces that have revitalised the originally underutilised outdoor areas for learning.

The award-winning project involved an extensive and engaging consultation process that followed two years of research and redesign of the College’s Year 9 curriculum led by the MLC Middle School leadership team & teaching staff. This research basis and ongoing focus on teaching and learning throughout the design process has led to an outstanding project that supports student wellbeing and the advancement of student-led, collaborative and project-based learning at MLC.

Key features of the redeveloped learning centre include:

• Flexible learning spaces that encourage and support a variety of learning styles as well as cross-disciplinary learning.

• Increased opportunities for indoor/outdoor learning.

• The redeveloped amphitheatre now includes a community garden and facilities that students and staff from all areas of the College can enjoy.

• Energy use monitoring, enabling students to track and analyse MLC’s solar energy consumption.

• Outdoor recreational spaces featuring plantings native to the surrounding areas of Mallacoota in East Gippsland, where MLC Marshmead Campus is located.

“Students and staff are loving the new environment. It’s wonderful to have our Year 9s learning, socialising and connecting with one another in a central, beautifully designed space.” - Melissa Lange, Head of Middle School