Berwick select school

By Jade Lawton
BERWICK’S new select-entry Secondary College, Nossal High School, will open its doors on 1 February 2010l.
Two-hundred Year 9 students, who successfully completed the State Government’s select-entry exam to gain a place at the school, will become the school’s foundation students.
Principal Roger Page said the first few weeks of classes would take place at Monash University, as weather had delayed the construction on the first stage of building.
“The second stage of buildings, a gym, performing arts centre and lecture theatre, should also be completed in 2010,” Mr Page said.
The school will begin with 12 teaching staff.
Mr Page said people had shown a keen interest in the school, with some families willing to relocate so that their child could attend the school.
“We have students coming from all over the place, from more than 100 different schools – half of them private and half public,” he said.
“They are travelling from all over the metropolitan area and some have sold their house and are moving to Berwick.”
A few weeks in to the 2010 school year, the school’s namesake, distinguished scientist Sir Gustav Nossal, will visit the school for a special foundation assembly.
The school will join Mac. Robertson Girls High School and Melbourne High School as the state’s third select-entry high school, with another select-entry college to open in Wyndham in 2011.