Genazzano introduces its new Physical Performance Centre

Today marks the opening of the Genazzano FCJ College Physical Performance Centre to students and staff. The 850 square meter space at the bottom of the d’Houet Building has been transformed into a state of the art learning and educational facility for the Health and Physical Education curriculum and is the largest fitness training centre in any girls’ school in Australia.

The centre will be used by Genazzano students from all levels, including the Junior School through various PE lessons plus the co-curricular Dance Program and new Crawl, Climb, Run, Jump Fitness Program, through to the Senior School level with group fitness sessions, athlete development programs, sport strength and conditioning and PE.

VCE students will also have access to personalised training times and boarders will have after school and Saturday morning access. Additionally, a specialised strength and conditioning program will be run for the GenAquatic Swim Club.

This bright, light and fresh new space will allow Prep to Year 12 students the opportunity to enhance their personal health, skills and wellbeing through differentiated learning in movement, dance, fitness and personal challenge units. Senior students studying Sports Science electives and Physical Education theory subjects will utilise the learning space to link theoretical units such as biomechanics and acute responses to physical activity within a practical setting.

Rivalling a commercial gym but with female students at the forefront of its planning, the functional new centre features a Spin studio fitted with 29 state of the art Keiser M3i Bluetooth enabled bikes; Pilates/Yoga studio that doubles as a sport science/physical education classroom; strength and conditioning equipment such as a 4 cell monkey bar rig, barbells, trap bars and bumper plates, pin and plate loaded resistance machines for push and pull functional movement, cable towers, kettlebells, dumbbells, medicine balls, power ropes and sleds, boxing bags and TRX.

There is also a Cardio zone including 20 rowing ergos, treadmills, ellipticals, watt bikes, assault bikes, ski ergos, a curved treadmill, Clevertouch screens for immediate technical feedback and teaching, 40 mats for stretching and flexibility; and office space for staff, program leaders, coaches and PE teachers.

Genazzano FCJ College Principal, Mrs Loretta Wholley shared her excitement about the completion of the Physical Performance Centre and the opportunities for students.

“Thank you to all involved in the creation of our new Physical Performance Centre. It’s so exciting to see the months of hard work realised and most importantly, to see our students fully embracing the new learning area”, she said.

“Having a learning space which caters for our entire community – students from Prep to Year 12, boarders, co-curricular programs, GenAquatic, the PE curriculum, sports people and non-sports people, is a key benefit and something we’re really proud of”. 

“As described by our Director of Sport, Nick Wall, the Physical Performance Centre (or PPC for short) is about allowing everyone to ‘Find their Fit’. It is a space where all are welcome and can build their self-esteem, release stress and do something they enjoy”.

“Our students describe fit as strong, healthy, confident, belonging, improving, being active, flexible, future-proofing, respecting yourself, fast, endurance, powerful, focused, resilient, committed, brave, purposeful, happy, motivated and empowering – all great descriptors for the Centre and our Genazzano community itself”.

Genazzano students are also excited about the new area and how it will benefit their learning.

“I am excited to use our gym for real life practical examples of the concepts we are learning in class, to help us develop greater knowledge and understanding!” shared Alessandra, a PE theory student.

Isabella supported her sentiments.

“I can’t wait to try out our new state of the art gym facilities and put into practice all the theories we have been learning this year”, she said.

In addition to the $125,000 invested in new equipment, $120,000 was invested in mechanical engineering and air flow, as part of the College’s commitment to COVID safety and maximising the health and wellbeing of its community.

The air conditioning is provided by a high efficiency, high capacity, variable refrigerant flow (VRF) heat recovery system, resulting in higher airflow within the space and providing optimal conditions for high performance training. Simultaneously, the in-built compressors respond directly to the heat load within the space and optimise energy usage, achieving significant energy savings.

Special thanks to all those who collaborated on the planning and development of the centre including students, alumnae, staff, council members and of course the architects and trades people. We have created a wonderful learning space to support our students’ learning, health and wellbeing.

The official unveiling and blessing of the Physical Performance Centre will take place on Saturday 30 April 2022 at the College, with Genazzano families welcomed to tour and celebrate the new space together.