The College has continually adapted to the changing needs of our students, providing health and wellbeing facilities, programs and teaching to engage and support them. We pioneered the introduction of a range of physical recreation activities, sports, health, and wellbeing programs for girls and renovated the PEC multiple times in response to their changing needs.
MLC was the first independent girls’ school in Australia to have dedicated swim baths (1890) and gymnasium (1892). In 1987, MLC built a modern PE Centre (known as the “PEC”), which enabled our students to pursue physical activities and competitive and recreational sports on par with the leading boys’ schools at the time.
Just as classrooms have progressed to cater to various learning styles, updating sports and physical education facilities is essential to create an enriched environment that promotes overall wellbeing and aligns with contemporary educational philosophies.
The facility is time-worn, and some aspects are are at the end of life, such as the pool, but it also lacks the capacity to meet growing student demands and provide a warm and inclusive environment for both student and parent experience.
We need to continue to respond to what girls need today and into the future, encouraging them to find an activity that works for them through an inclusive and engaging environment with more opportunities to participate in physical activity opportunities (inclusive of Physical Education, Sport, Physical Recreation and Health and Fitness programs).
MLC's commitment to holistic student development and wellbeing means we must now reimagine and redevelop our physical education and sports facilities to better suit the changing needs of the current and future generations and ensure we remove barriers to our current and future students' participation in physical activity.
Why This Matters for MLC
The MLC Physical Education and Sport Precinct is designed to address these challenges head-on. By providing an inclusive and engaging environment tailored to girls’ needs, we aim to increase participation in physical activity, enhance mental and physical wellbeing, and ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive.
This precinct is more than just a collection of facilities—it’s a strategic investment in our students’ futures, grounded in solid research and a deep understanding of their needs. By empowering our girls to stay active, we’re helping them build the foundations for a healthy, happy, and successful life.
MLC has progressively developed its campuses over its 140+ year history. This has included many significant and visionary investments and developments that continue to benefit our students today. The Precinct is an investment that will see the College through at least the next 40 years and many generations of girls.