Innovative programs and building developments at Catherine McAuley College Bendigo create learning opportunities designed to support the many different educational pathways for students. The future of employment is increasingly collaborative, so it is vital that students learn to work together, interact and develop a range of independent and co-dependent skills.

At Coolock, the Sister Aloysius Martyn Arts Centre features a performance area, specialist classrooms for music and performing arts, and vibrant learning spaces to support integrated learning across the STEAM areas (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics). The industry-leading Mercy Junortoun Sporting Precinct provides the latest technology and equipment to support physical education learning, including cricket, football, soccer and netball. In addition, the area is complemented with fresh green spaces and an indoor gathering area for the entire school.

At St Mary’s, students have opportunities for diverse specialisations tailored to student pathways. Our modern commercial kitchen provides opportunities for Food Technology and Hospitality, incorporating a canteen and indoor-outdoor dining areas. A purpose-built Allied Health area includes a simulated hospital ward for practical learning. Allied Health is a major growth area and our iGen partnership with Mercy Health Bethlehem Home for the Aged and Australian Catholic University (ACU) provides an entry into the health and business industries and real intergenerational experience.

Studies in Agriculture and Animal Care at our Trade Training Centre support learning and skill development in this high-demand vocational pathway. Together with the sporting precinct development, the College offers a range of applied learning courses with ACU and our other partners.

The College Masterplan includes many exciting developments across both campuses in the coming years. Facilities at both campuses will continue to evolve and integrate with existing infrastructure, providing students with the learning resources and pathway opportunities to be prepared for their future direction.

These buildings are complemented by an integrated approach to learning that engages and inspires our students to discover their way in a dynamic contemporary environment. Learning Leaders ensure progress across Years 7 to 12 in all subjects.

The College has an ongoing program of commissioning iconography that imbues the College with visual representations of Mercy. The pinnacle of this vision so far has been the installation of life-size bronze statues of Catherine McAuley on the upper balcony of the Sister Aloysius Martyn Arts Centre at Coolock and outside the library at St Mary’s. The statues signal to all who walk through the grounds that the College is a place of Mercy, inspired by Catherine’s values and the charism of Mercy in all that we do.

It is a busy and exciting time at Catherine McAuley College Bendigo, and we thank everyone involved for their positive participation in planning for our future.