Future Direction & Plans
Not only do Diocesan students enjoy the very best educational experience, they also benefit from a much-enhanced learning environment.
The vision created for the school campus in the early 90’s has stood the test of time. At that point, it was resolved to establish an arc of academic activity stretching from the Junior School around to the Science building complemented by a sporting arc from the field around to the Swimming pool. Within the centre of the campus would always be Diocesan School’s heart and history with the traditional jewels of School House, the Hall and the Chapel.
Over the past decade, we have completed a number of leading edge facilities, including a new, purpose built, Junior School, Science laboratories, the 70 classroom equivalent Centennial Building, the Student Cafeteria, the Senior Common Room Building and the state of the art Aquatic Centre. Existing facilities for Art and Technology have been extended and outdoor recreational spaces created. Landscaping has been a critical component of each new development and students continue to enjoy the attractive gardens with their many features.
The needs of any organisation change over time and it was important that the original blueprint was reviewed, taking into consideration the needs of current and future generations. In particular, the School had two long term objectives, firstly to generate a second multi-purpose sports surface on campus and secondly, to generate a whole school assembly auditorium to capture the culture of the School.
Director of Business and Planning, Merle Boniface worked with Melbourne based architectural team, McIldowie Partners and Upton Architects to review the future needs of the School and in April 2005, a new Campus Master Plan was approved by the Board of Governors.
Stages 1 and 2 of this Plan have already been completed. Stage 1 involved upgrading the Sports Centre and creating a purpose built facility for cycling. Stage 2 involved the construction of a purpose built Senior Common Room building. All students now have a wet weather recreational facility where they can meet.
The latest milestone from the Campus Development Plan has been the completion of the Aquatic Centre, which provides year round water sports and fitness facilities for the whole school. The next stage of the plan is the building and development of the all-weather multi-purpose sports turf to accommodate hockey, netball, tennis, touch rugby and physical education. There will also be provision for on-campus car parking. The new sporting precinct will bring sport home to Diocesan and provide our students with future practice facilities. For further information about these projects, please visit the Dig Deep pages.
The development of a world-class Performing Arts Centre that will seat 1800 as well as facilities for Music, Drama and Dance, will follow the completion of the turf/carpark development. These facilities will further enhance Performing Arts, already a “Centre of Excellence” at Diocesan School.
Extensive research and benchmarking has contributed to the success of past projects. Environmentally Sustainable Design principles are adhered to wherever possible. For example, rain water is used as a secondary source of water for non-potable tasks and solar heating is a feature of the new Aquatic Centre. Ergonomic furniture is selected only after consultation with a physiotherapist and occupational health professional.
The facilities our students presently enjoy have not just “happened”. They are the direct result of the generosity and hard work of previous generations of the Diocesan School family.
Please feel free to visit us to view the School. For further information on our development plans, please contact Merle Boniface our Director of Business and Planning.