Show goes on: Former Mowbray students rehearse for last night's performance at the closed Patterson campus. Picture: Angela Wylie/The Age
YESTERDAY was bittersweet for former Mowbray College students, who started life at new schools after months of upheaval and uncertainty.
Eight former Mowbray teachers joined 161 VCE students at Catholic Regional College's senior campus at Sydenham, 17 days after the independent school collapsed under a mountain of debt.
Last night, a Mowbray performance of Alice in Wonderland at the former Patterson campus in Melton went ahead as planned.
CRC principal Brendan Watson said students had been warmly welcomed by the school community.
"The student leadership group recognises that they have gone through a stressful few weeks and wants them to feel immediately at home," he said.
Portable classrooms will arrive at CRC this weekend to help accommodate the new students.
"There are only 14 teaching weeks left until year 12 students finish classes and commence their study period before end of year examinations, so the planned welcome and transition will be critical in order that the new students can settle back into a routine and achieve their very best," Mr Watson said.
JP Downey administrator Jim Downey said he understood most parents had found alternative places for their children.