Construction has started at Clyde Grammar, a new independent school located at Mirvac’s Smiths Lane masterplanned community in Clyde North, Victoria.
With the City of Casey’s population expected to grow significantly in the coming years, Mirvac has partnered with CSV Limited, founders of renowned Casey Grammar School in Cranbourne and Balcombe Grammar School in Mount Martha, to deliver the Prep to Year 12 independent school.
Mirvac General Manager of Residential Victoria Elysa Anderson said the milestone reinforces Mirvac’s 49-year legacy of creating sustainable communities with a focus on social connectivity and early access to quality education.
“Smiths Lane has experienced unprecedented demand since launch in September 2019, so it is an exciting opportunity to deliver critical infrastructure, such as Clyde Grammar, that will enable the neighbourhood and surrounding community to thrive and grow sustainably,” she said.
“Clyde Grammar will be the third school Mirvac has delivered within our Victoria masterplanned communities. The new independent school follows the successful opening of Bacchus Marsh Grammar at our Woodlea, Aintree community in February 2019 and the opening of Hume Anglican Grammar’s Donnybrook campus at Olivine in March 2019.”
“Access to quality education is essential for every community we create. Clyde Grammar is just one of the many ways Smiths Lane will create a positive legacy for today’s children, as well as future generations. The breaking ground is an incredible milestone for Mirvac and Clyde Grammar that will provide lifelong learning and fundamental educational tools for Smiths Lane residents and the wider community.”
Construction of the school is expected to generate 120 full-time jobs and allow for up to 1,200 students when full Prep to Year 12 enrolment occurs.
In preparation for the opening of the campus in 2022, Clyde Grammar has already commenced enrolments, with 87 Prep and Year 1 students currently learning while temporarily located at CSV Limited’s Casey Grammar School and enrolments now open for 2022.
A total of 144 Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 students are expected to start in 2022 at the brand new school with the year levels growing consecutively each calendar year.
Clyde Grammar School Principal, Leanne Evans, said Clyde Grammar students and staff are very excited to move to their new campus next year and to see the vision come to life. She said they have ensured the children are part of the journey.
“They particularly love the idea of the two-storey building and are excited to discover what the future playground will look like,” Ms Evans said.
Clyde Grammar will open in early 2022 at Smiths Lane with the completion of the school’s Stage 1, including a two-storey Primary Centre, which will feature 14 primary classrooms, 7 studio/breakout learning areas, a common collaborative learning area, library, student amenities, disabled toilets, sickbay, staff offices and reception area, and outdoor learning and play areas.
Upon completion, the school is also planned to include a learning centre, chapel, middle school, double level Year 7 building, VCE Centre, PAC Centre, gymnasium, as well as arts, science and technology centres.
Indoor and outdoor sports facilities will include multipurpose courts, senior football oval, sports pavilion and numerous courtyards and play areas.
Clyde Grammar is just one of the many amenities planned by Mirvac for the $1 billion Smiths Lane community, which is set to provide convenience and local employment opportunities for its 6,750 future residents.
Plans also include a future town centre with an anchor supermarket, specialty stores and fresh produce, restaurants and key services, a childcare centre, Council community activity centre, adult education facilities and business and co-working spaces.
Located at 110 Smiths Lane Clyde North, 55-hectares of the Smiths Lane masterplan is dedicated to public open space, including 11 hectares of sporting facilities and green space located around 200 metres from every one of the approximately 2,800 homes.
More than 30 per cent of the community is dedicated to green space, with walking and bike trails connecting residents with the future café, childcare facility, retail, restaurants and other community-focused amenities.
Construction at Smiths Lane has begun, with 192 lots now titled and a further 412 lots under construction. Works on the first local park and expansive wetlands are set to commence next month, with a further two local parks anticipated to start in the next 6 months.