Premier

Building The Education State In West Gippsland

01 April 2016

Minister for Education, James Merlino, today visited schools in West Gippsland as part of a ministerial delegation to the region.

The Minister first visited Bass Valley Primary School where he met the Principal and staff from the Bass Valley Children’s Centre to discuss how they are working together to provide a ‘one-stop-shop’ for children’s services.

Minister Merlino then visited Wonthaggi Secondary College where he and the Principal met with student leaders to hear about school life from their perspective. Mr Merlino was also briefed on the vision for the Wonthaggi Education Precinct.

Last September, the Andrews Labor Government announced $566 million in additional Equity Funding to help schools and students break the cycle of disadvantage.

As a result of this funding boost, Bass Valley Primary School will receive $280,440 in equity funding this year, an increase of $164,133 compared to 2015. Wonthaggi Secondary College will receive $865,518 in equity funding this year, up from by $148,096 compared to 2015.

This year, the Labor Government is also providing students in need with uniforms and glasses, provide breakfast for 25,000 kids at 500 of Victoria’s most disadvantaged primary schools, and help students attend important educational activities through the $148.3 million Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund.

Students from Bass Valley Primary School will receive a total of about $16,000 from this year’s Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund while students at Wonthaggi Secondary College will receive $71,775.

Wonthaggi also received $80,000 last year for maintenance of its workshop.

Bass Valley Primary School Principal Leanne Edwards won the Outstanding Primary Principal award at last year’s Victorian Education Excellence Awards for her work in developing programs that focus on student wellbeing and positive behaviours.

The 2015-16 Budget invests almost $4 billion in Victoria’s education and skills system – representing the single biggest boost to education funding in Victoria’s history.

This includes over $730 million to build new schools, upgrade existing schools, and buy land for future demand. It also includes $180 million for programs that will help families cover the extra costs of education, like camps, excursions and uniforms, so no child misses out.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino

“We’re investing almost $4 billion to make Victoria the Education State, so every community has access to great local schools and every child gets the chance to succeed.”

“Bass Valley primary School and Wonthaggi Secondary College are great examples of how Victorian children are being supported to reach their full potential.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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