Plan for second campus on north Torquay site College expansion bid

Alex de Vos
Torquay College has called on State Government to expand the school with a second campus, principal Pam Kinsman revealed.
Ms Kinsman said the school’s council recommended to the Government last week to build the new primary campus alongside Surf Coast Shire’s proposed community and civic precinct in Torquay’s north.
She said the new prep-to-grade-six school would operate under the Torquay College banner, with the option of accommodating year-seven-to-nine students as its catchment population increased.
Ms Kinsman believed an additional Torquay College campus would benefit students, parents and teachers.
“Students in both schools would be able to share the benefits of the college and it would allow for the flexibility of staff movement,” Ms Kinsman said.
“There will be certain things that we have that they (a stand-alone school in north Torquay) wouldn’t have, such as the new environmental education centre and they’ll have more access to sport facilities.”
Ms Kinsman said the school would have its own principal.
However, an “overriding” principal would oversee both campuses, she said.
Liberal Member for Western Victoria David Koch slammed the proposal.
He believed the Government should build a full secondary school at Torquay’s north site.
“The extensions that have taken place at Grossman’s Road will be able to handle an increase in primary school students,” Mr Koch said.
“The community of Torquay has a right to full secondary education – it’s the only town of its size in Victoria without a full secondary school.”
Mr Koch said he feared Torquay students enrolled in Geelong secondary schools would lose their town identity without a stand-alone campus.
“Another primary school is not a priority,” he said.
“In relation to the recreational activities, Torquay students who come to Geelong make their networks up here then compete against their own neighbours.
“They’re going to lose their own town identity.”
Labor Member for South Barwon Michael Crutchfield said he was “sympathetic” towards the plan to expand Torquay College.
“It has benefits in terms of staffing, efficiencies in resources and curriculum advantages,” he said.
“But I’m keeping an open mind and am waiting to hear from other school principals,” he said.