Member for Calare John Cobb officially declared the two buildings - the RBCC Hospitality Trade Training Centre and the Technology and Applied Studies (TAS) Facility – open at a special ceremony at the college.

Bishop Michael Kennedy DD, apostolic administrator of the Wilcannia Forbes Catholic Diocese blessed the buildings and a number of other guests were in attendance including Marist Schools Australia national director Br Michael Green and Frank Malloy, Forbes Shire Council’s deputy mayor Graeme Miller, Cr Michael Greenwood from Parkes Shire Council, architect Mark Glendenning and McCabe Construction.

Also in attendance were local parish priests Fr Paul Clark and Fr John Keeble and guests from Catholic Education Commission, Catholic Education Office, St Laurence O’Toole, and the RBCC Parents and Friends Association.

Red Bend received $3 million in funding from the federal government for the projects, which cost a total of $5.5 million and took about 18 months to complete.

The buildings were finished at the end of 2013 and have been in use throughout the first term of 2014.

The RBCC Hospitality Trade Training Centre was established to specialise in hospitality to provide a clear training pathway for students to attain qualification at Certificate II level, which will give them eligibility for real job opportunities in the areas of catering, cooking and other dining experiences across the region.

The new facility meets industry standards and requirements and includes combination ovens, stainless steel benching, a microwave oven, bain marie, sinks, food processor and accessories, commercial dishwashing equipment, mixers, a coffee machine, commercial hotplates and industrial ducted range hoods.

There is also a classroom/dining room, a full catering pantry, cool room, freezer and change rooms for students, as well as a demonstration bench for the teacher.

The food technology  kitchen was also extensively refurbished to compliment the new Trade Training Centre and a new two stand raised shearing shed and yards was also constructed.

The TAS/Ag facility has been reconfigured and expanded to allow for the expansion of the school and the popularity of the TAS subject area.

The brand new building now boasts three dedicated woodwork rooms, two dedicated agriculture rooms, two dedicated metalwork rooms, two major project rooms, a computer lab, staffroom, storage rooms and impressive courtyard and undercover open workshop area.

The courses offered in the new building include technology mandatory, industrial technology metal, industrial technology timber, metal and engineering and design and technology.

Red Bend Catholic College deputy principal, Stephen Dwyer said these highly practical subjects are now able to be delivered using excellent resources in a safe and purposeful learning environment.

“The buildings are able to enhance the opportunities that they [students[ have got and give them greater access to trade level industry experience,” he said.

“Twice the state average of our students go on to university, which is 60 per cent of our students, so having facilities that cater to that other 40 per cent then gives them that industry and trade experience.”

Mr Dwyer said he has received very positive feedback from the students who have been using the buildings this year.

“The learning spaces allows them greater opportunities, for example there are two dedicated project rooms for senior students, who can have somewhere to work on their major projects,” he said.

“The new complex also now has a courtyard space, which has opened up a whole new area for students in the playground, with protective shade sails for sun safety.”

The project also includes the refurbishment of the Chapel of Mary Our Good Mother and a refurbished senior refectory, which allows senior boarders to have a modern and comfortable space to eat.

Construction has now begun on Red Bend’s latest project – the $6.5 million multi-purpose facility, including a new gymnasium and performing arts centre.

In conjunction with this project, the covered outdoor learning area is drastically taking shape, with construction expected to be completed early term two.

This $800,000 outdoor learning and sporting facility will be a space for teaching and learning for sporting activities and will also act as a temporary gym while work on the new multi-purpose facility is underway.