MELBOURNE – 9 December 2024 – Mount Scopus Memorial College announced today it has secured the right to purchase land in Caulfield for a new purpose-built campus that will bring together the school’s three existing campuses along with a new Centre for Jewish Life. The Centre will include a range of exciting facilities for the broader Jewish community and local residents, all in one location.
The site, which was secured for $195 million from Melbourne Racing Club, is on the western perimeter of Caulfield Racecourse, running from Station Street all the way south to Glen Eira College, and is similar in size to the School’s main Gandel Campus, currently located in Burwood. The site was unveiled at a gala dinner tonight, attended by more than 500 dignitaries.
The announcement is a major milestone in the College and Scopus Foundation’s Project Generation initiative, which will transform education and community development for Melbourne’s Jewish community. Aside from offering a modern educational experience for students from ELC to Year 12, the new campus will also deliver a range of new facilities for local residents and the broader Jewish community including:
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A new sports precinct and wellbeing centre, with a sports oval, gym, pool and recreation facilities, all within the school grounds
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A centre for adult education
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A centre for creative arts, including a performing arts complex
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A synagogue
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Spaces for community organisations.
Amy Hershan, President of Mount Scopus Memorial College, said: “This project represents an exciting new chapter for our school and community. As Mount Scopus celebrates its 75th anniversary, we have an opportunity to create something special for Melbourne’s Jewish community and ensure its continuity and strength long into the future.”
David Gold, President of Scopus Foundation, said: “Securing this strategically positioned site represents a major step towards realising our vision for Mount Scopus College. Project Generation delivers much more than a new campus; it will enable future generations of students to learn, grow and thrive in a safe and supportive environment, and will become an important hub for Jewish life in our state. We are grateful to the Victorian Government for its ongoing support, and Melbourne Racing Club for sharing our vision and being a constructive partner in achieving this exciting milestone.”
The journey to establish a Centre for Jewish Life and consolidate the College’s three campuses in the heart of Caulfield began a decade ago and has received bipartisan support at state and federal levels.
Consultation is underway and will continue over the next two years to ensure the new campus delivers on the needs and expectations of the community and all key stakeholders.
Construction will most likely be staged, with the first facilities expected to be operational by 2030.
More information about the project can be found at www.projectgeneration.org.au.
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Key Facts:
The new site will consolidate the College’s three campuses, and become home to a new state-of-the-art community hub.
About us:
About Mount Scopus Memorial College
Mount Scopus Memorial College is a world-class co-educational day school in Melbourne and one of the largest Jewish schools in the Southern Hemisphere, with over 1,500 students from kindergarten to year 12. It is academically one of the top schools in Australia and often ranks as the top school in Victoria.
About Scopus Foundation
The Scopus Foundation exists to support the work and goals of the School. Fee income cannot provide funds for development, so Scopus relies on the Foundation to support its aims and help turn its vision into reality.
Funds raised since 1987 assist with the advancement of all facilities and various programs, with tuition fee relief and bursaries also significantly supported by the Foundation. The Foundation is also committed to building a substantial Endowment Fund to help lower the cost of school fees for all students.
About Project Generation
Project Generation is a community organisation that will develop the new site at Caulfield, including the school campus, a sports precinct, centre for adult education, centre for creative arts, a synagogue and spaces for community organisations. It will manage all community facilities once developed. Project Generation’s vision is to build something special for Melbourne’s Jewish community to ensure its continuity and strength.
Contact details:
Media contact
Scott Thomson, SenateSHJ
0432 218 681 / sthomson@senateshj.com.au
