Staughton College

Project summary

Located in Melton, Staughton College undertook a $33M project requiring significant upgrades and extensions to accomodate 400 additional students – with new buildings and external works completed.

…what Monica did on this project

Monica played a pivotal role as the Project Manager and Superintendent for the $33 million major projects upgrade and extension at Staughton College, a transformative initiative designed to accommodate an additional 400 students. Her leadership was instrumental in delivering two new buildings—Administration and Canteen—a state-ofthe-art STEM facility, five relocatable classrooms, as well as extensive landscaping and external works.

With a strong command of end-to-end project management, Monica expertly navigated the project through the critical phases of Design, Tender, and Contract Award. She demonstrated exceptional strategic planning by ensuring full compliance with CPAS and Probity requirements while maintaining rigorous oversight of financial budgets, project timelines, and risk management. Through proactive stakeholder engagement, she provided detailed monthly reports to the VSBA and the Department of Education, ensuring transparency and alignment with project goals.

Her in-depth expertise in VSBA processes and digital platforms—including Tender, Supplier, ICN, and Aconex (Cost Module)—allowed her to streamline operations, optimise workflows, and enhance project efficiency. One of the most significant challenges of this high-profile project was managing a live site while adhering to strict budget constraints. Monica’s ability to drive value engineering and innovative problem-solving enabled her to maximise the project’s potential without compromising quality. She skillfully led complex contract negotiations, successfully awarding the contract with 30 tender options included—ensuring flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and optimal outcomes for Staughton College’s growing community.

Her outstanding project management skills, financial acumen, and ability to complex projects make her a highly effective leader in delivering large-scale education infrastructure projects with precision and excellence.