Cobram Secondary College principal Kimberley Tempest said local businesses helped turn her ideas into a reality.
“We have so many trades that work here who are invested in this school just like we are,” she said.
“When we get trades in here, I want them to know what they do matters and we care.
“If we have good relationships with them, they're going to have our students for work experience.”
Former student Jesse Cartwright completed an apprenticeship at Cobram Carpet Court and helped replace carpet in one of the school's buildings.
“It's definitely cool to come back and see how much it's changed in the past three years — it's completely different,” Mr Cartwright said.
“I think it's a really good school and all of the teachers are really engaging.”
MV Locksmiths’ Marcus Fry - another former student - set up the school's electronic access control and master key system to amplify security.
“I've been working in Cobram for the past 25 years and it's good to see the school getting developed,” Mr Fry said.
“It's really good for our town that the school has some new buildings and is more user friendly.”
Cobram Electrical and Data's Andrew Sim said his staff worked on the power upgrade and civil works throughout the entire construction period.“It has been very rewarding and Cobram has always been a place that we've loved,” he said.Mr Sim and his four children all attended Cobram Secondary College.
His son James, who works at Sun Country Landscaping, prepared the school's new lawn.
“Kimberley has great communication skills, so it was a breeze from start to finish,” he said.
“It will be good to get some kids back here instead of away from Cobram.
“It's somewhere I would send my kids.”
Cobram Painting and Rendering's Alan Brown said he has been painting for the school for the past couple of years.
“They're using local contractors which is great for the community, great for the town and great for the tradies,” he said.
