College Buildings Masterplan

Over the past five years, Padua College has undergone significant changes to better meet the future educational needs of students. Construction of the Whyte Senior Learning Centre facilitated the provision of a Year 10-12 Senior Program with additional subject offerings and the opportunity for Year 10 students to complete a three-year VCE or three-year VCAL Program.

Following extensive consultation with education professionals, staff, parents and student communities, the College Leadership Team made the decision in 2021 to prioritise the planning and construction of a purpose-built Year 7-8 Centre. The new, revised Mornington Campus Masterplan aims to ensure that College facilities keep pace with modern teaching pedagogy to support Padua's new Learning and Teaching Framework.

A New Year 7-8 Centre at Mornington

Designed by Baldasso Cortese Architects, the dedicated 3,600sqm Centre for Year 7 and 8 students will provide the perfect environment for 550 junior students to begin their secondary school education at Padua’s Mornington Campus. Construction commenced start in 2022 with completion forecast for the end of 2023, ready for our Year 7 2024 cohort to begin their high school journey.

Environmental design considerations ensure the inclusion of ample green spaces within the junior precinct and the incorporation of a loggia to offer spacious, sheltered areas for play. Modern classrooms have been designed to open up to central areas and adjoining classrooms to allow for flexible learning spaces to facilitate the delivery of optimal educational outcomes.

An architectural atrium at the heart of the building forms a central gathering space for our junior students. Ground floor space will be occupied by a stand-alone administration centre, sickbay, Junior Campus leadership offices, staff work and lounge areas, a Learning Enhancement Hub, Science and STEM rooms, student kitchenettes and facilities, with student lockers, House Co-ordinator offices and 18 classrooms appointed on the floor above.

Performing Arts Centre

Despite pandemic-related delays experienced during 2021, Padua’s new St Clare Performing Arts Centre (PAC) opened to students in Term 2 of 2022. The official Opening and Blessing ceremony of the St Clare Centre took place on Thursday 28 July 2022.

The St Clare Centre is a contemporary multipurpose space that will not only benefit our dynamic Performing Arts Department but also the wider local community. Comprised of three ‘cubes’ for music, dance and drama teaching, and learning studios, the 2,500sqm facility includes a magnificent, double-volume theatre with seating for over 350 patrons, and outdoor performance spaces along the eastern deck and bleachers facing the oval.

Whyte Senior Learning Centre

The Whyte Senior Learning Centre constituted the first stage of the original Masterplan, which was constructed to accommodate a new Year 10-12 Senior Program at the College to offer increased curriculum offerings. The College restructured its campuses in 2019 to enable Year 10 students the opportunity to complete a three-year VCE or three-year VCAL Program, with far more options to accelerate learning in their areas of interest.

Rosebud and Tyabb Campuses

Whilst most of the new facilities at the Mornington Campus will benefit all Padua students, the Year 7-9 Campuses at Rosebud and Tyabb will continue to be updated and refurbished, where required, as part of the College's annual capital expenditure program.