Premier

First Tech School Opens In Yarra Ranges

18 April 2017

Around 12,000 local students will soon be using the latest technology, including robotics and virtual reality, as part of their everyday education.

Premier Daniel Andrews, Minister for Education James Merlino, Member for Eastern Victoria Daniel Mulino and Member for Eastern Metropolitan Region Shaun Leane today visited the Yarra Ranges Tech School to officially open the groundbreaking new facility.

The former Swinburne Lilydale campus had its doors padlocked in July 2013, following the former Liberal Government’s cuts to the TAFE sector. But under this Labor Government the Lilydale Campus was saved, reopened and is now run by Box Hill Institute.

The Yarra Ranges site is one of ten new Tech Schools being built under the Labor Government’s $128 million Tech Schools Initiative, which uses new technology to deliver advanced education and training in science, engineering and maths.

Led by Director, Danny Tay, the Yarra Ranges Tech School includes 20 partner schools and has a local focus on precision manufacturing, digital technologies including medical robotics, sustainability and renewables, food, fibre and biotechnology.

With advice from local industries, students will find real-life solutions to real-life problems using the latest technologies including robotics, virtual reality, 3-D printing and a simulation room.

It is part of the Labor 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.

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

“Once boarded up and set to be sold off, this site will now give local students the skills they need for the job they want.”

“It’s no longer a choice between school or getting a technical education. The Yarra Ranges Tech School will mean students can do both.”

“Our Tech Schools will help meet the needs of the next generation of industry, and the next generation of Victorians.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino

“This education hub at Lakeside Lilydale campus was on the scrap heap after years of neglect under the former Liberal Government – but thanks to the Labor Government, it’s been saved.”

“The re-opening of this campus – combined with the launch of our first Tech School – shows how serious we are about the Yarra Ranges’ future.”

Background Information: List of Partner Schools

School Address Principal
Belgrave Heights Christian School 20 Wattle Valley Road, Belgrave Heights Andrew Callow
Billanook College 197-199 Cardigan Road, Mooroolbark Roger Oates
CIRE Community School 2463 Warburton Hwy, Yarra Junction Tim Knowles
Edinburgh College 33-61 Edinburgh Road, Lilydale Tim Borgas
Healesville High School 10 Camerons Road, Healesville Allan Rennick
Lilydale Heights College 17 Nelson Road, Lilydale Rosina Fotia
Lilydale High School 25 Melba Avenue, Lilydale Wendy Powson
Mater Christi College 28 Bayview Road, Belgrave Mary Fitz-Gerald
Monbulk College 146-148 David Hill Road, Monbulk Margaret Uren
Mooroolbark College 186 Manchester Road, Mooroolbark Ann Stratford
Mount Evelyn Christian School/Ranges TEC 135 York Road, Mount Evelyn Narelle Sketcher
Mount Lilydale Mercy College 120 Anderson Street, Lilydale Philip Morison
Mountain District Christian School 325 Macclesfield Road, Monbulk Jason Riding
Oxley Christian College 15 - 49 Old Melbourne Rd, Chirnside Park Doug Peck
Sherbrooke Community School 311-313 Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd, Sassafras Sue Holmes
Upper Yarra Secondary College 81-89 Little Yarra Road, Yarra Junction Scott Tully
Upwey High School 1451 Burwood Highway Upwey Thomas Daly
Worawa Aboriginal College 60 - 80 Barak Lane Lois Peeler
Yarra Hills Secondary College 16 Reay Road Mooroolbark Darren Trippett
Yarra Ranges Special Developmental School 20 Burdap Drive, Mt Evelyn Janet Taylor


For more information on the Yarra Ranges Tech School, visit: http://yrts.boxhill.edu.au/External Link

For more information on Tech Schools, visit: http://techschools.education.vic.gov.auExternal Link

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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