Hope gives new life to old school

By LACHLAN MOORHEAD

THE site of the former Endeavour Hills Secondary College could be used as Hallam Senior College’s sports academy.
The college, which was closed down last year, has been suggested by Hallam Senior College principal Anne Martin as a potential site for the ever-growing Next Champions Sports Academy.
As reported in the News earlier this year, Ms Martin wrote to local, State and Federal Government explaining how the academy was reaching capacity and would benefit from an expansion.
Having since gained support from the City of Casey, Ms Martin said the Endeavour Hills Secondary College site would be a perfect answer for the academy.
“Endeavour Hills Secondary College is a significant area and it also has facilities just across the freeway,” she said.
“With the use of additional facilities I imagine we would experience serious growth for the academy but would also work with the community to use the area for community work as well.”
The Hallam Senior College academy, which has almost 300 students and counting, caters for a range of sports including Australian Rules, basketball, rugby league, touch football and soccer.
The City of Casey intends to enter discussions with the Department of Education and Early Development (DEECD), which controls the Endeavour Hills site, to explore the viability of it again being used as a sports facility.
Ms Martin’s expansion proposal is also seeking the involvement of Tennis Australia and James Cook Primary School as potential partners in the academy, while also suggesting the use of Power Reserve for its AFL training.
Ms Martin said the proposal is only a suggestion at this point but held a very positive outlook for the future of the academy.
“I’m really hopeful that this could happen,” she said.
“It would be hugely successful for Endeavour Hills and for Doveton.”
City of Casey councillor Rafal Kaplon is hopeful the site can be used for the Next Champions academy and said it would be a very beneficial outcome for the community.
“I didn’t want to see it sold for housing, its should be used for public amenity,” he said.
“Everyone would benefit from that, a school that’s been used in Endeavour Hills remains a school.”