RFI - GSLC MCU230096 College Principal Supporting Letter 210324

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Sunshine Coast independent schools in order to remain as accessible as possible for
families, including long term residents of Noosa Shire. A key element of operating efficiently
and sustainably is being able to have existing classes at capacity when demand exists.
These considerations lead to a projected maximum of 1150 students. An enrolment cap at
this level allows for sustainable and efficient College operations into the future.


Purpose of Performing Arts and future planned developments.
There may be a concern that the College’s planned development is to facilitate ongoing
enrolment growth. This project, and future projects represented on the master plan
submitted, are not planned to provide for enrolments beyond 1150 students. The focus of
planned projects is not on adding extra general classroom capacity, rather, our focus is on
the addition or significant upgrade of specialist facilities that would be assumed and
expected in similar schools across sectors. These specialist facilities are yet to be built due
to the long development timeline typical of many independent schools given that, even with
some government grants, projects are still majority self-funded.


Performing Arts Centre
The College does not have sufficient or suitable facilities for the teaching of the Performing
Arts classroom subjects of Music and Drama. We do not have a facility suitable for the
teaching of Dance despite this being a commonly offered subject and one we anticipate
there being strong demand for. The spaces to support the College’s extensive co-curricular
Performing Arts program are inadequate in number, location and design. The spaces
currently used for curricular and co-curricular Performing Arts are dispersed across multiple
locations on the campus, in buildings not designed for Performing Arts.

Performing Arts teaching and supporting spaces need to be co-located for a range of
functional reasons. Within the same subject, and at times the same lesson, students will
access a range of the spaces and facilities located in the same building. Staff areas,
storage areas and ancillary spaces need to be readily accessible by all users of the facility.
Although we are mindful of retaining open space on campus, the proposed two storey
facility allows the different spaces to function in the necessary closely linked manner. This
includes practical considerations such as the indirect supervision of older students and
security of the facility and its resources. The proposed central location is ideal for a facility
that will be accessed by students from Prep to Year 12, parents and members of the
community. Its location and two storey format allows for an area of open space to be
retained in the heart of the campus. Gaining this central area on the campus for student
benefit was a major reason for relocating staff vehicles from the old staff car park to the
new staff car park. We anticipate College and community events that take advantage of the
Performing Arts Centre’s connectivity to this open space.

The College’s need for a Performing Arts facility was supported through the Independent
Schools Block Grant Authority in its 2018 round. Central to the BGA’s process is the need
to determine ‘the minimal viable project that meets the identified educational need’. The
proposed facility with teaching spaces, rather than performance spaces, as its primary
purpose was justified and supported to provide specialist facilities at the level generally
expected in similar schools across sectors. The proposed project was viewed as consistent
with the College’s justifiable needs. Through this process, this project is eligible for $1.4m in
capital funding from the Queensland Government. However, due to delays including those

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associated with the approval of this and prerequisite projects, we are nearing the end of the
second and final extension of this funding. The College is at risk of losing the $1.4m in
funding if we cannot demonstrate commencement prior to the end of this year.

The Performing Arts Centre is likely to have a build cost of greater than $8 million, Whilst
the government funding is essential, the College is likely to need to fund more than $7
million of the project’s cost. This is significant capital expenditure on a site that has not seen
a significant College building since 2010. It is not an expenditure the College would commit
to if there was any doubt regarding its importance to the College. This project and projects
indicated on the master plan are a significant long term commitment to the College
remaining an important part of Noosa Shire’s education offerings.


Community Benefit
Whilst the majority of the benefit of the proposed project is appropriately current and future
student oriented, it also the case that the addition of this facility will be of direct and indirect
benefit to the wider community.

The College’s current co-curricular program is supported by 14 instrumental music tutors.
The College retaining and potentially building on levels of student engagement with
Performing Arts provides ongoing opportunity for these largely self-employed tutors.

As indicated above, the proposed facility has as its focus College classroom and co-
curricular use. However, as is the case for other College facilities, we would expect that it
would be available for compatible community use. For example, our current gymnasium
supports a range of community sport groups. Our approach is to support community access
with low usage costs that typically do not seek to cover operating costs.

The College values our place in Noosa Shire and in our shire’s educational offerings
specifically. We see it as important for the current community that they have a range of
quality education options including a quality independent school offering. If our facilities are
not developed and enhanced as proposed in the master plan, there is a risk that the
College will not meet the expectations of the region’s current families or those who may be
considering relocating to Noosa Shire for work. Anecdotally, and more generally, we know
that families with children will prioritise regions that provide the educational options they
value. We believe Good Shepherd has an ongoing important part to play along with the
other quality education providers in Noosa Shire.


Parking & Pick up - Drop Off
We understand there will always be concerns regarding parking and vehicle movement
around schools at peak times. Whilst documentation associated with this application is
comprehensive, for clarity here, the College is committed to optimising traffic and parking
outcomes for the general community and for our parents. We are not at odds with
community expectation, as a good outcome for the community, is a good outcome for
families of the College.

Regarding our proposed major reconfiguration of the car parking and pick up, the architect
was given the scope to go beyond adjustments, such as those in the deed, to the existing
historical car parks. Even though this has resulted in a greater footprint and will require the

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demolition of part or all of an existing classroom building, we are determined to set the
campus up for the long term, including with respect to parking and traffic management. The
scale and cost of works indicated in the application will be significant, however, we believe
there will be significant long term gain for the College and wider community.


Conclusion
We are excited at the opportunity to support our students with a much needed and overdue
core specialist facility. The need that existed in 2018 remains unmet and we look forward to
being able to meet that as soon as possible.

If it would assist at any stage of the decision making process, I would welcome the
opportunity to discuss the matters raised in this letter or the wider documentation provided
in the application or in the response to requests for information. It may be that you would
find it helpful to meet and walk the campus, particularly if you are less familiar with the
College. Please contact me if you would like to arrange a meeting and/or a campus tour.



Regards,




Anthony Dyer
Principal