Orbost Community College
The brief
SenateSHJ supported the successful merger of three schools in Orbost in regional Victoria, working closely with Principals and school leaders, families, the local community and the Department of Education.
The challenge: supporting the merger of three schools
The Department of Education engaged SenateSHJ to support the merger of three schools in Orbost in regional Victoria. We worked with the principals of the three schools, as well as other school and Department leaders, over two years – providing strategic, change, engagement and design support.
Our collective goal was to create a place of learning that all students could call their own, and that was at the centre of the Orbost community.
The approach: deep engagement with the school and broader communities
We engaged deeply with students, parents, carers and the broader community through interviews, surveys, discussion groups and open days to explore their hopes for the new school, community aspirations, learning pathways, and even naming options for the new P–12 setting.
We worked closely with school leaders and staff to craft the school’s vision and purpose.
The outcomes: a new brand identity and website
We created a new brand and website for the school’s launch, reflecting the local community’s proud history and the school’s exciting future. This included:
- a new logo, reflecting the community, landscape and the joining together of three schools. The design features the Snowy River which runs adjacent to the town and the three bodies that have merged to form the new community college.
- a visual identity, to be used across all school communication and touchpoints, including uniforms, document templates, intranet and site signage.
- A new website, bringing the new community college to life and into the 21st century. We produced a library of photography to be used on the new website as well as their marketing material, social media accounts and for all future applications.
Orbost Community College opened in Term 1, 2024, and early feedback suggests a strong and positive start.
Peter Seal, Principal, Orbost Community College
SenateSHJ walked alongside us as we undertook the significant task of merging three local schools to form Orbost Community College. They engaged our students, staff and families to shape our identity and vision, building community confidence in the P-12 model and generating excitement for opening day. They supported us every step of the way, from early engagement through to day-one planning.
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