mmg.com.au

A new $1.49million Senior Student Centre will give St Mary of the Angels Secondary College older students a dedicated area to study.

The Nathalia college’s business manager John Giffard said if all went to plan, the new building would be constructed in the second half of this year with it ready for term one 2014.

The centre will house the school’s 145 Year 11 and Year 12 VCE students, with the equivalent of about six classrooms.

It will also include a small lecture theatre with tiered seating, a kitchen area, designated study areas and offices to accommodate staff.

‘‘It’s an exciting project really, because this is the one we have been wanting (to provide) for years,’’ Mr Giffard said.

‘‘There have been a lot of other projects, but this is the one we really, desperately needed.

‘‘The problem is we have no dedicated study area for the senior students.

‘‘I think the facilities will be really good after this.

‘‘It will be a vast improvement for the students and the staff.’’

The school applied for funding, which was approved in October last year.

The site earmarked for the development is the only part of the old school (built in 1961) that was not destroyed by a devastating fire that engulfed the school in 2004.

The design has been created by Beechworth architect Ken Woodman of No. 42 Architects.

The contract to construct the new building will go out to tender in June or July.