Wonthaggi Secondary College will be renamed Bass Coast College.

MP for Bass, Jordan Crugnale announced the change today, saying it better reflected the area the school serves and comes after public consultation on the name change.

Locals were invited to select their preferred name for the school earlier this year as part of an Engage Victoria survey over three weeks, with ‘Bass Coast College’ receiving the highest level of community support.

The school welcomes students from a large number of primary schools across the Bass Coast Shire, with the new name to more accurately reflect the school’s unique identity, inspire local pride, and make the school easily locatable across its three campuses.

“It is an amazing era," said Bass Coast College Principal Darren Parker.

"We are very proud to be the government secondary education provider for the young people of Bass Coast. It is an incredible place to live, and we are thrilled to have a name that represents all in our community.”

The school’s existing sites will be known as the Dudley Campus (Year 7-9) and the Wonthaggi Campus (Year 10-12), formerly known as the McKenzie Senior Campus, which opened in 2020.

A second junior campus, the San Remo campus, will open its doors in 2022 and host a range of world-class facilities, including an administration building and library, modern classrooms, separate specialist and innovation buildings, a competition-grade gym, football oval, outdoor sports court and spaces for food technology, music and performing arts.

A fourth campus, the FLOW Campus, was established in 2020 after the upgrading of the former senior campus’ gymnasium (Webb’s Shed). It plays a particularly important role in supporting students whose circumstances have meant that attendance at mainstream campuses is not straightforward.

The significant change for the College extends beyond the name of the school and its buildings to include a change in leadership of the campuses.

There has also been three new appointees to the school.

Emma Harris has been appointed the San Remo Campus Principal and will step into the role from Term 3, 2021, to assist in establishing the new campus.

Michael Shone has been appointed Dudley Campus Principal, and he also commences in his new role at the start of Term 3, 2021.

Rounding out the new appointments is Leith Cummins. Leith, the current Dudley Campus Assistant Principal, has been promoted to Assistant College Principal (School Improvement) and will lead the Teaching & Learning improvement initiatives across the whole College.

These new appointees join the existing leadership team, which includes Ross Bramley as the Campus Principal of the renamed Wonthaggi Campus and Phil Hughes as the Wonthaggi Campus Assistant Principal. Ross is the current Dudley Campus Principal, and he also commences a new role at the start of Term 3, 2021.

Darren Parker continues in his position as Bass Coast College Principal.

“We have a proud history, and these announcements reinforce just how exciting our future is too," Mr Parker said.

"It is great to share the fantastic developments regarding our leadership positions with our community. It is a pleasure to welcome Emma and Michael, both of whom come with significant leadership experience and will be great assets to our College community. Thanks also to Ross, Leith and Phil for their continued dedication to our young people and staff.”

Bass Coast College caters for about 1500 students, providing families from the Waterline, Bass Hills through to Phillip Island and across to Inverloch with more accessible public education options.

The name change will come into effect in the coming months following a formal gazettal process.