Construction has begun on a new Tech School in Melbourne’s south east, fully funded by the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Education James Merlino, Parliamentary Secretary for Education Judith Graley, Member for Narre Warren Luke Donnellan, Member for Cranbourne Jude Perera and Member for Dandenong Gabrielle Williams today turned the first sod on the new Casey Tech School, and announced Ben Jenkinson as its inaugural Director.
Mr Jenkinson is an experienced teacher and leader in the education system, who has held senior curriculum and leadership roles in some of Australia's highest performing schools.
The Casey Tech School will give 21,000 secondary school students from 21 schools in the area access to high-tech, specialised learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills. It will be a shared hub available free of charge for students from partner schools as part of their regular schooling.
The Casey Tech School will be located at the Berwick campus of the Chisholm Institute and will focus on growth industries including biomedical technology, health and medical tech, and high-tech manufacturing, production and processing technologies.
The new two-storey building will include workshop areas, a biomed lab, a virtual reality lab, video production studio and a digital media studio.
The Tech School is one of 10 being delivered as part of Labor Government’s $128 million Tech School initiative, and is expected to open in mid-2018.
It is part of the Government’s plan to boost performance in STEM subjects, including a 25 per cent increase in the number of year nine students reaching the highest level of achievement in maths and 33 per cent more 15-year-olds reaching the highest levels in science by 2025.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino
“Casey Tech School will provide students from 21 surrounding secondary schools the opportunity to develop the skills they need in science, technology, engineering and maths for the high tech jobs of the future.”
“It will mean students won’t have to travel far and wide to get a Tech School education – opening up new opportunities for young people in the south east.”
Quotes attributable to Parliamentary Secretary for Education Judith Graley
“This Tech School will teach young people in the local area the skills they need for the jobs of the 21st century.”
“The appointment of Ben Jenkinson is an important step forward as we work towards opening Casey Tech School next year.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020