Victorian students plan for the future
Posted: Monday, 14 November 2011 | By: Rob Hulls
Shadow Minister for Education Rob Hulls today congratulated hundreds of primary school students for participating in the Victorian Junior School Council Congress at State Parliament.
Mr Hulls said the one-day conference provided 100 year 5 and 6 students from 27 government and non-government primary schools with an opportunity to participate in a mock parliament and heard from guest speaker, urban design studio’s CoDesign Chief Executive Officer, Lucinda Hartley.
“The students are involved in student councils, action teams or committees in their school community and this was a fantastic opportunity for the students to discuss and debate the topic of the day ‘Improving our neighbourhoods – urban planning today and beyond’,” Mr Hulls said.
“Students conducted research on topics including the environment, transport, sports and recreation spaces, essential services, education, renewable energy, community safety, health and urban planning, and debated the issues in Parliament.
“Students discussed what governments should take into account when planning new suburbs or servicing existing towns from a young persons’ perspective.
“The students’ recommendations will be forwarded to the Baillieu Government for further consideration.
“The Baillieu Government may actually learn a thing or two from these young future leaders such as the negative impact of cutting funding to vital education programs have on communities.”
The primary schools that participated in the congress are:
Altona Green Primary School, Armadale Primary School, Beaconhills College, Bentleigh West Primary School, Brighton Beach Primary School, Beveridge Primary School, Blackburn Lake Primary School, Blackburn Lake Primary School, Caroline Springs College - Springside Campus, Drysdale Primary School, Canterbury Primary School, Casey Grammar,Cranbourne East Primary School, Diggers Rest Primary School, Epping Views Primary School, Findon Primary School, Isik College, Melton Primary School, Lilydale Primary School, Lowther Hall Anglican Grammar School, Malvern Primary School, Mernda Primary School, Wandong Primary School, Moreland Primary School, Mother of God Catholic Primary School, Teesdale Primary School, Surrey Hills Primary School and Middle Park Primary School.