Students in Clayton and Bentleigh were big winners in Victorian Budget 2016/17 and will now enjoy the facilities they deserve thanks to an unprecedented investment in Victorian schools.
Minister for Education James Merlino and Member for Clarinda Hong Lim today visited Westall Secondary College to meet staff and students and discuss plans for a potential Westall Education Precinct.
Though still at an early stage, these plans can now take a step forward after the project was one of 35 schools to benefit from the Budget’s $12 million school planning fund. This project could see the school combined with Westall Primary School with other services to create an all-purpose education centre.
Mr Merlino and Member for Bentleigh Nick Staikos also visited Tucker Road Bentleigh Primary School and announced that as part of this record breaking Budget, the school will receive $3 million for a new gymnasium. An architect is expected to be assigned to the project in the coming weeks with the gymnasium planned to be ready for use by the middle of 2018.
Tucker Road Bentleigh Primary School also received a funding boost this year when it received $13,297 in equity funding, up from nothing last year. East Bentleigh Primary School received $8,961, also up from nothing last year.
Mr Merlino and Mr Staikos also visited East Bentleigh Primary School to officially announce that it will receive $150,000 from the $16 million School Pride and Sports Fund.
As part of Education Week, Victorian students at hundreds of schools and early childhood centres will open their doors to the community to showcase how they are helping Victorian children reach their potential, focusing on this year’s theme technology.
Quote attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino
“For the second straight year the Andrews Labor Government has delivered an unprecedented investment in Victorian schools, including $1.1 billion towards school infrastructure.”
Quote attributable to Member for Bentleigh Nick Staikos
“We’ve got fantastic schools in the Bentleigh electorate, and I’m very proud that the Andrews Labor Government has invested in upgrades at so many of them.”
Quote attributable to Member for Clarinda Hong Lim
“I know that many in our community have grand plans for this project. This planning is the first step towards that.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020