Moriah College Capital Appeal FAQs
Please see a wide range of information about our Capital Appeal below.
If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for please contact our team today.
What is the capital appeal raising money for?
It has been 13 years since our last capital appeal which raised funds to purchase the land for the Queens Park campus, and more than 30 years since we built our High School. Today, several of our buildings are in need of renovation or replacement.
Education has evolved significantly, delivery of education has changed since the digital revolution, and libraries and several subjects have advanced and adapted dramatically. Many of the spaces are in poor condition and are unable to be reconfigured to allow for contemporary delivery of education.
We are renewing our ageing High School facilities, and demolition of old, inefficient buildings and new construction will enable us to double our green space, create new sports areas and lawns, enhance security, and improve our traffic flows
New facilities will include a science centre, design & technology centre, a visual arts centre, a library and study centre, multipurpose hall, canteen, break out areas, staff faculty spaces, and larger classrooms.
What are some of the benefits of the project?
- Spaces will be larger and more flexible, allowing students to learn through collaboration and problem solving.
- Students can delve into cutting-edge areas like artificial intelligence, coding, robotics, digital arts, filming, editing, and a range of technology supported disciplines.
- This will also unlock the much-needed opportunity to house all of Jewish studies - formal and informal (EDJE) - together.
- Staff faculty spaces will enhance faculty and cross-faculty collaboration.
- Modern, flexible facilities will improve the ability of educators to cater to the different ways students learn and provide expanded opportunities for our children.
- Six ageing buildings will be replaced by multi-storey buildings, which will double our green space.
- The new High School entrance will reorient the College away from residential properties.
- High School pick up and drop off will move onsite which will be safer and more efficient.
- Buildings will be more sustainable and energy efficient.
- The multipurpose space can cater to communal and college events without providing access to the broader school grounds.
Why is it necessary to upgrade the High School?
- The High School was built more than 30 years ago, is among the oldest buildings on the campus, and is approaching the lifespan of its serviceability.
- The buildings were constructed before the digital revolution, do not have integrated technology, are small and rigid, and don’t allow for contemporary methods of teaching and learning including collaborative group work.
- There is insufficient green space.
- Staff rooms are overcrowded, inadequate and dispersed.
Isn’t it more important to attract and retain the best teachers?
Attracting and retaining the best teachers is an absolute priority of new College Principal Mira Hasofer and the board, but retaining and recruiting the best staff does go hand-in-hand with having modern and upgraded facilities. We are continuing to recruit, develop and retain excellent teachers and are not waiting for new buildings to further drive educational excellence.
What outdoor spaces will be created?
Significant landscape treatments will connect the College to the wider context of the adjacent Centennial Park and Queens Park and the precious pocket of protected Banskia reserve.
Outdoor areas will include:
- A central active sports centre that will replace two existing courts with three multisport courts and bleacher seating.
- Significant additional tree canopy coverage.
- A series of courtyards and terraces.
- Four large lawn areas.
- A series of learning gardens to facilitate outdoor education.
How do we know that the buildings will be futureproof?
A key aspect of the design is the flexibility of the spaces, enabling the College to continually adapt the learning environment, in line with emerging pedagogy and best practice.
When will the building works take place?
Subject to sufficient funds being raised, building works are planned to commence in 2025, and is expected to be complete in 2027.
Will there be disruption to learning during the building works?
A key aspect of the design is that disruption to students will be minimised. Only two blocks will be demolished prior to construction which includes some classrooms, support spaces, amenities, the library, and the caretaker’s residence. These facilities will be housed in other existing buildings during the construction phase.
The building works will occur in an area that is removed from the existing buildings.
Isn’t it more important that we raise funds for bursaries and financial assistance?
With the help of our donors, Moriah College and The Moriah Foundation allocate millions of dollars a year in financial assistance and bursaries to assist as many children as possible in financial need to join our Moriah family. We will continue these efforts, but it is also important that we are a school of excellence and offer contemporary learning spaces to enable our children to excel.
I want to help but I don’t have the capacity for a major donation. Are there other ways I can assist, and can I have more time to pay off my donation?
Donations to the capital appeal are tax deductible and can be paid in installments over a three-year period.
Every contribution, no matter what the size, has an impact and we are grateful for any support that you can provide towards this important campaign.
Leaving even a small percentage of your estate to Moriah in your Will is another meaningful way to support Moriah without impacting your quality of life today. We welcome the opportunity to have a confidential discussion with you about the ways you can help Moriah.
"We have carefully and thoughtfully developed a 15 year master plan, taking into account the current and future needs of our school. We are solving a number of very real issues that have plagued us for years. Traffic issues, vulnerabilities in our security, lack of green space, and spaces that are too small and too rigid to allow our children and educators the space to thrive.”
Stephen Jankelowitz
Immediate Past President of Moriah and Capital Appeal Co-Chair
We'd love to hear from you
If you have any questions about the Capital Appeal, or would simply like to learn more, feel free to get in touch with the Foundation team.
You can email us at foundation@moriah.nsw.edu.au or call us on (02) 9375 1620.
Alternatively, please fill out the form below.