ET Australia Secondary College officially opened its new school campus within the Imperial Shopping Centre in Gosford on March 12.
The development follows a recent spike in demand for quality education on the Coast.
The establishment of an independent high school within a shopping centre is thought to be an Australian first.
Lederer Group President, Paul Lederer, said students would have a unique opportunity to participate daily in the retail environment of a shopping centre.
Plans are underway for students to gain hands-on retail and business skills through the provision of work experience placements with retailers that may lead onto part-time after-school jobs” Lederer said.
“This will give students a competitive advantage in their education (and will) build an innovative and modern model that the Lederer Group is proud to be a part of.
“We are creating something that is unparalleled and provides unprecedented opportunities for students who wish to one day enter the business field.
“A vital factor in all education and training that ET Australia delivers is for students to be job ready.
“There is simply no better way to provide this than by giving these students real world experience in a retail environment where many people start their working lives.”
The facility is one of two new and improved ET Australia campuses in Gosford, upgraded as part of the Federal Government’s Capital Grants Program, with the other located in Donnison St.
Minister for Education and Youth, Alan Tudge, and Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks, were on hand to open the new facilities, which include classrooms, a science lab, two computer labs, breakout study areas, and learning enrichment rooms.
“These new, top-quality facilities will make a real difference in the daily lives of the students and teachers at ET Australia Secondary College,” Tudge said.
“The Morrison Government has invested a million dollars into this project to give hundreds of students in Gosford access to the best possible learning experience, so they have the best chance to succeed.
“The project is part of our record funding for Australian schools and will benefit not just current students, but those who study at ET for years to come.”
Wicks said the contemporary learning facilities and the school’s unique teaching models would equip students with the skills to be successful both during and after school.
“It was a pleasure to visit ET Australia Secondary College to see the new facilities and hear about the positive impact it will have on the entire school community,” she said.
“We are giving these local students the best possible chance to reach their full potential at school and go on to further study or into a job.”
Source:
Media releases, Mar 15
Member for Robertson Lucy Wicks, and The Lederer Group