Dr Wood Learning Centre

Next Article

Reunions

INTRODUCING

DR WOOD LEARNING CENTRE

Opened at the beginning of 2021, the Dr Wood Learning Centre is MLC’s state-of-the-art home for Year 9 students. Named in honour of MLC’s longestserving Principal and formerly known as the Wood Building, the renamed Dr Wood Learning Centre underwent significant internal redevelopment during 2020.

“This exciting redevelopment goes handin-hand with our two-year research and redesign of the Year 9 curriculum,” explains Head of Middle School, Melissa Lange.

Melissa says the new space reflects MLC’s unique Year 9 student experience, with a focus on learning, connectedness, sustainability and wellbeing.

“The design has helped us create a stronger link between the Year 9 Kew program and the MLC Marshmead Education Outdoors program.”

“We consulted extensively with students and teachers to ensure the redevelopment would provide for a variety of different learning styles,” Melissa adds. “Importantly, it reflects our commitment to fostering a strong, cohesive community at Year 9.”

A key feature of the new design is the re-developed amphitheatre, which now includes a community garden and facilities that students and staff from all areas of the College can enjoy.

The Dr Wood Learning Centre redevelopment has honoured the history of the wing while reviving it for 21st century learning.

“Students and staff are loving the new environment. It’s wonderful to have our Year 9s learning, socialising and connecting with one another in a central, beautifully designed space,” Melissa says.

Pictured above: Year 9 students (L-R) Sophie Palmer, Honor Edmonds, Annabelle Ho, Penelope Waymark, Keira Murugasu and Abbie Kerr. Below middle: Students in one of the open collaborative spaces. Bottom: Head of Middle School Melissa Lange with students. Opposite: Year 9 students Amelia Blake, Keira Murugasu, Samantha Gong and Abbie Kerr in the eastern courtyard.

Key features of the Dr Wood Learning Centre include:

Flexible learning spaces, designed to encourage and support a variety of learning styles as well as crossdisciplinary learning.

Increased opportunities for indoor/outdoor learning.

Energy use monitoring, enabling students to track and analyse MLC’s solar energy consumption.

Outdoor recreational spaces featuring plantings native to the surrounding areas of Mallacoota in East Gippsland, where MLC Marshmead is located.

Productive garden spaces.

A colour palette and design features that echo MLC Marshmead.

OUR STUDENTS’ PERSPECTIVES

“As the Dr Wood Learning Centre is a dedicated learning space for Year 9, I know that everyone inside is from my year and potentially my Marshmead cohort, which has encouraged me to make more friends.”

Abbie Kerr, Year 9 student

“The new building provides many areas for us to work collaboratively and gives us opportunities to choose the areas we want to work in.”

Annabelle Ho, Year 9 student

“I really love the Level 3 open space because it’s a great space to do work in and hang out with friends.”

Honor Edmonds, Year 9 student

“I have found that it’s so much easier to work as a group when there are many open spaces available for us to go outside the classroom and work together.”

Penelope Waymark, Year 9 student