Mernda P12 College.

Award-winning school - a 'learning and teaching' laboratory.

Mernda Central P-12 College has been conceived as a place that students will want to attend, both during school and after school; an educational hub for children of all ages. The whole school is a learning and teaching laboratory designed to support the social, physical and intellectual development of every student.

"We are proud of our college and are excited about our future, the team at ClarkeHopkinsClarke has bought to life a vision that enables our students to flourish for years to come." - Mandy O'Mara, College Principal

A variety of different learning spaces gives students choice and encourages social interaction. Reading nooks, tiered seating, bi-fold windows, and explicit instruction pods provide space for creativity and collaboration. The inclusion of green screens, recording studios and music practice rooms further enhance these opportunities.

The design shapes a strong civic presence, creating a clear sense of identity and celebrating the importance of education within the community.

The design facilitates community connection and activation through continuous collaboration with Consortium community partners YMCA, CERES and Kingswim.

The school master planning has been conceived according to a hierarchy of spaces - public, privileged and private - with public spaces such as the civic forecourt open for use by all members of the community, privileged spaces such as the games hall and community hub requiring greater security or care in their use, and private spaces such as the learning communities being secured for school use only.

Photography by Rhiannon Slatter.