- Published:
- Friday 3 June 2016
Students at Ringwood Secondary College in Melbourne’s east are a step closer to having the facilities they deserve with work starting on a $7.55 million redevelopment of the school’s facilities.
Minister for Education James Merlino joined parents, students and teachers to turn the first sod today.
The redevelopment includes construction of a new Junior School building to replace eight relocatable buildings, the refurbishment of the library and creating a new landscaped entry forecourt to the existing visitor car park.
The new state-of-the-art school buildings will provide better learning environments for local students so they can get the best out of their education.
The Andrews Labor Government delivered a record $924 million to build new schools and upgrade classroom in the recent Victorian Budget 2016/17, as well as $200 million to better maintain existing school facilities.
The Labor Government is building the Education State in the Maroondah region so that every local student gets the opportunity for a great education and every community has access to a great school.
The Maroondah Education Plan was a $19.5 million Labor election commitment to transform schools in the East to cater for more students.
The Plan will see a redevelopment of Ringwood Secondary College, a stadium for Norwood Secondary College, a performing arts centre for Mullum Primary, and the consolidation of Melba College’s two campuses on the former Maroondah Secondary College site.
The Government delivered $10 million for all projects in last year’s Budget except for Melba College, which received funding for planning.
A further $17.9 million was allocated to build the new Melba College in the recent Victorian Budget 2016/17.
The Ringwood Secondary College redevelopment is the first project of the Maroondah Education Plan to start construction.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino
“A high-quality education system must be matched by high-quality learning environments where students are engaged, stimulated and encouraged to be creative thinkers.”
“This major redevelopment will ensure the facilities at Ringwood Secondary College match the school’s great teaching and learning culture.”
“We’re prioritising Victoria’s education system because we recognise that the Education State sits at the heart of Victoria’s future social, economic and global success.”