A Future-Focused Senior School for Portside Christian College
Sarah Constructions was appointed to deliver a landmark three-storey senior school building for Portside Christian College—an important first step in the college’s multi-stage master plan.
The new $11.7 million, 1,720m2 facility provides senior students with modern, flexible learning spaces designed to support collaboration, creativity, and future-focused education. Featuring innovation hubs, general learning areas, creative spaces, think tank rooms, offices, and staff/ student amenities, all connected by multiple central learning common areas. External works have enhanced the school’s coastal setting through natural landscaping, an outdoor amphitheatre, new seating, paving, and green infrastructure, all designed to support both formal and informal student engagement.
Works commenced during the October 2023 school holidays, with demolition marking the start of a 15-month journey. Construction was carried out within a fully operational campus and reached completion in January 2025.
Key Challenges and Solutions
Constrained Access: Managed shared access with school operations via meticulous delivery scheduling and weekend access routes.
Live School Environment: Works were completed with zero disruptions to school operations. Careful planning and open communication with the College ensured a safe and seamless experience for students, staff, and families throughout the build.
Client Outcomes
On-Time Delivery: The building was handed over ahead of Term 1, 2025, giving the school time for furniture, fixtures and equipment installation and commissioning.
Safety First: Delivered without incidents or disruptions to daily school operations, whilst construction within a live school environment.
Cost Management: Variation costs remained within contingency, delivering strong value-for-money.
Collaborative Design Delivery: A strong relationship with the client, college leadership team and the project team enabled agile responses to evolving project needs and design refinements.
Sarah Value Add
Digital Design Coordination: Sarah’s in-house BIM and digital coordination team reviewed and refined the design prior to construction, identifying and resolving clashes early. This approach reduced rework, minimised delays, controlled additional costs, and enhanced build quality.
Transparent Communication: Regular briefings and site tours for college stakeholders kept the school community engaged, informed, and confident in project outcomes, while further strengthening relationships.
Innovation
Sustainable Materials: Used Kobe Board for environmental and acoustic performance.
Digitally Printed Panels: Integrated acoustic Echo panel with natural timber aesthetics.
Prefabrication: Off-site fabrication streamlined installation, reduced disruptions onsite and ensured finish quality.
Delivered on time, on budget, and without disruption to school operations, the new senior school building begun shaping a new chapter for Portside Christian College.
The modern, adaptive spaces have enabled the school community to thrive as they continue to grow and innovate into the future.
