Building works anticipated to finish towards the end of this year will mark the end of the masterplan for upgrades to Beechworth Secondary College.

The new building will have purpose-built hospitality and cooking classrooms.

Principal Patricia Broom said the building is anticipated to be finished for the start of term four.

Funds received in total from the Victorian government have tallied around $15.8 million, bringing the college into the 21st century with its state-of-the-art facilities.

The stage three project with funds of $6.4 million secured in the government’s 2024/25 budget has seen the work completion date well on track following the completion of the design last year.

Construction started in December 2025 and the building will accommodate a commercial kitchen, four classrooms, a staff office area and a canteen space.

“It’s for our food technology classes, VET cookery and hospitality which have been previously held off site,” Ms Broom said.

Undercover walkways link to other buildings including the music area while landscaping at the front of the school is part of the stage three development.

The stage three development adds to the $9.4 million for the completed first and second stages which included a science and resource centre with two laboratories, seminar rooms, staff spaces and common learning areas accommodating the library, a gym upgrade and landscaping.

Ms Broom said the stage three development will connect to the main buildings with most of the old portables removed improving access, facilities and distance between classrooms.

The new buildings also have level ground access in lieu of the old portables.

“It’s making sure we have real consistency between state-of-the-art resources,” Ms Broom said.

The principal said consistency of classrooms is best practice and what students deserve.

Students from the Vocational Educational Training (VET) cluster network will be able to access hospitality and cooking classes if needed as well.

“We will also have access to the commercial kitchen if catering is needed when we hold functions and events including music performances,” Ms Broom said.

With college upgrades in the works for more than a decade, Ms Broom said use of the school facilities as planned will be a more consistent experience for both students and teachers when also holding community events.

“There is still more to come as we grow and expand,” she said.

Ms Broom said the last of the three stages and part the original master plan should replace most of the portables.