The first stage of a major revamp of education in Melbourne’s north is under way with Education Minister Bronwyn Pike today turning the sod to start construction work on the new $13.25 million P-12 school and specialist science centre in Heidelberg.
Ms Pike said five schools had joined forces to transform education in the local area under the Heidelberg Schools Regeneration Project and create jobs to help see people through these tough economic times.
“This is further evidence that the Brumby Labor Government is taking action for families to ensure children in Melbourne’s north have access to state-of-the-art facilities and the very best educational opportunities so they have every opportunity to shine,” Ms Pike said. “This multi-million funding boost signals an exciting time ahead as construction begins on a new Prep to Year 12 school.”
“Education is the Brumby Labor Government’s number one priority and this multi-million funding boost signals an exciting time ahead as construction begins on a new Prep to Year 12 school on the former La Trobe Secondary College site and the establishment of a specialist science centre on the same site.
“Through the Brumby Labor Government’s $1.9 billion Victorian Schools Plan to see every government school rebuilt, renovated or extended and the addition of unprecedented Federal Labor Government funding for schools, we are rolling out the biggest schools rebuilding program in Victoria’s history.
“There has never been a greater effort or investment in education in Victoria than there is right now and this regeneration project is another example of how the Labor Governments are joining forces with local communities to create new educational opportunities and boost education provision.”
Ms Pike said the Heidelberg Schools Regeneration Project would give students a broader range of subject choices, access to even more state-of-the-art technology and specialist facilities to allow them to develop their individual aspirations.
“The outcome of this project will transform the educational choices of young Victorians and rejuvenate education in the local area by giving 21st Century students great new facilities so they can learn the skills they need to go out and get 21st Century jobs,” Ms Pike said.
In the recent State Budget, $7 million was allocated for the construction of the P-12 school and $4 million for the specialist science centre. The Commonwealth has also provided $2.25 million under its Building the Education Revolution program.
Member for Ivanhoe Craig Langdon MP said Banksia La Trobe Secondary College, Northland Secondary College and Bellfield, Haig Street and Olympic Village Primary Schools have shown great vision in establishing better future education provision for families in the area.
“The local community has driven this regeneration of education because no one knows the needs of a local area better than the community itself and now they can look forward to new buildings to take their children into a brighter future,” Mr Langdon said.