Students, teachers and the MHS community formally launched the first two architect-designed and refurbished multipurpose classrooms in May 2017.

These state-of-the-art classrooms reflect Melbourne High’s commitment to the best learning environments for students. In terms of classroom design, this includes embracing the potential of technology and both individual and group learning. The classrooms are also in-step with how commercial offices and tertiary institutions are now designed.

This is reflected in the feeling of spaciousness, flexibility of furnishings, integration of technology and, a surprise to many first-time visitors, no fixed desk for the teacher. Biology and the increasingly popular robotics classes are taught in the new rooms.

According to recent Melbourne High graduate, Peter Drew, who is in his first year of engineering at Monash University, ‘The classrooms ‘accommodate how you want to work   – the rooms adapt to what you want, rather than you having to adapt to the room.’

The challenge now is to offer these new, advanced learning environments to more students. As MHS Principal, Jeremy Ludowyke, explained: ‘the older classrooms were designed for a style of teaching that will soon be 100 years old – those rooms simply no longer fit modern teaching.’

Melbourne High School has a vision of refitting all 50 classrooms by MHS 100^th anniversary in 2027. This goal and timeline is ambitious but achievable, according to Melbourne High School Foundation Chair, Col John Wertheimer AM RFD. ‘I’m hopeful that support for future students will come from the current school community and the 20,000 former students, who simply wouldn’t be where they are without MHS,’ said the Chair.

The newly refurbished classrooms were supported by many generous donors, teachers, parents, students and friends of the school.  Our sincere thanks to those who made it possible.

We need your help to renovate more classrooms in 2018. Donate today!