Geoff Helisma|
Clarence Valley Anglican School (CVAS) has announced plans to build a $2.3 million multi-purpose performance centre at its Clarenza campus.
The school’s principal, Martin Oates, said it will be constructed during 2020 and ready to occupy at the commencement of the 2021 school year, all going well.
He said the project was funded by an Australian Government grant, “a very generous donation from an anonymous benefactor and building fund donations from parents”.
The anonymous gift and contributions to the building fund amounted to $1.7 million.
Mr Oates said the new centre will be the school’s “jewel in the crown” and an integral part of Stage 1 of the school’s Clarenza Campus Master Plan, launched in June 2019.
The centre will serve multiple purposes and include music and drama teaching spaces, a visual art gallery, tutor rooms, instrumental music and music recording rooms, main stage, large spectator area, sunken stage, tiered lecture theatre, servery and toilet facilities.
Mr Oates said arts practices were a “growing part of the school”.
“We staged our first musical this year, after quite a while, which was well received by students, parents and the wider community,” he said.
When asked why the arts were an important part of the school’s curriculum, Mr Oates said there is “a strong correlation between learning music and good academic results”, particularly with mathematics.
“Supporting one supports the other,” he said.
Mr Oates said the school’s master plan was divided into three time periods: the short term goals are over a five-year period, followed by longer term initiatives – five to 10 years and then 25 years.
He said the plan was designed to proactively accommodate growth of the school and “seizing opportunities when they arise”.
Mr Oates said the school was grateful for the contributions made by the anonymous donor, parents, the Australian Government and Page MP Kevin Hogan.
He said Gold Coast-based company, Raunik Design Group, was given a brief to “create the master plan and design a modern, flexible, creative arts facility to serve the school well into the future”.