The Anglican Schools Commission (ASC) will build a low-fee Prep to Year 12 school after purchasing the 16-hectare site in Shepparton North. The Verney Rd site is 6 km north of the city centre and will be home to the city’s first Anglican school.
ASC chief executive officer the Reverend Peter Laurence OAM said Shepparton had been identified as a priority for a new school given its standing as a major regional centre with high projected growth.
“We’re thrilled to be making this commitment to the Greater Shepparton community to provide another educational choice for local families,” he said.
“Subject to government approvals, the school will offer all classes from Prep to Year 7 in 2024 and grow to a Prep to Year 12 school by 2029.”
Reverend Laurence was asked whether the development of Greater Shepparton Secondary College as a single campus government secondary school and the public campaign for greater school choice was a significant factor in the decision.
“The decision to invest in Shepparton was made because it is a growing regional city with a high demand for additional schooling options,” he said.
“Shepparton is one of the few regional centres in Victoria without an Anglican school and a new school will offer further choice for families looking at education options.”
The ASC owns and operates 15 schools in Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia. There are three ASC schools in the region, including Cobram Anglican Grammar School, Cathedral College Wangaratta and Trinity Anglican College in Albury-Wodonga.
Reverend Laurence said ASC schools were co-educational, low-fee, committed to inclusion and diversity and welcoming of students of all faiths or none.
“Our schools provide outstanding teaching and learning in a caring, Christian environment,” he said.
He said the construction of the new school would provide significant employment opportunities for the local community, from the planning and construction phase through to the employment of around 150 teachers and support staff when the school was at capacity.
“The ASC will invest approximately $50 million into building our Shepparton school in stages over the next 10 to 15 years,” he said.
“We are making a major commitment to the Greater Shepparton community and I look forward to welcoming students, teachers and families to our school very soon.”
Tuition fees in 2024 are expected to be in the range of $3000-$4000 per year in primary and $5000-$5500 per year in Year 7