Students in Melbourne’s outer south west are starting the school year in a brand new school.
Minister for Education James Merlino and Member for Altona Jill Hennessy today officially cut the ribbon at Featherbrook P-9 College.
It is one of ten brand new government schools to open this year to meet the surging demand for new schools in our outer suburbs and has an initial intake of 191 students from Prep to Year six.
Headed by principal Kerry Clayton, the new school in Point Cook features a competition-grade gymnasium built to Netball Victoria standards. It also features a kitchen for food technology and community cooking programs, as well as a multi-purpose space used by the YMCA for community services and programs after school hours.
The Minister and Ms Hennessey also visited nearby Point Cook P-9 College to see its edible garden, which was a winner at last year’s Victorian Schools Garden Awards.
The school’s garden and kitchen are used to teach students about sourcing and preparing healthy meals, with Year three and four students spending at least one hour in the garden and one hour in the kitchen each fortnight. Point Cook P-9 College also runs cooking classes for parents as part of its strong focus on community outreach.
With an extra 90,000 students due to enter the school system over the next five years, the Labor Government is investing $1.8 billion to build and upgrade schools across Victoria.
There are now 42 new schools in the construction pipeline – including the 10 brand new government schools starting this year – and more than 1,000 school upgrade projects under way across the state.
For two years the Labor Government has put people first, building the Education State so every community can access a great school and every student can be supported to be their best.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino
“Melbourne suburbs like Point Cook are booming, so we are getting on with the job and building new schools to meet demand.”
“We are creating bright futures for our kids and making sure they have access to the education they need in the first-rate facilities they deserve.”
Quote attributable to Member for Altona Jill Hennessy
“It’s not only students of Featherbrook College and their families that will benefit from this outstanding new school. Featherbrook’s facilities will be available for community groups in the local areas too.”
Quote attributable to Principal Kerry Clayton
“Featherbrook College’s purpose will be to support our students to be socially engaged, happy and healthy while growing and learning at school.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020