- Published:
- Wednesday 1 February 2017
Morwell students have started the 2017 school year in a brand new school thanks to the Andrews Labor Government’s record investment in education.
Minister for Education James Merlino and Member for Eastern Victoria Region Harriet Shing today welcomed staff, students and families to their new school as part of the official opening.
The new Morwell Central Primary School merges Commercial Road, Morwell and Tobruk Street Primary Schools as part of the $18.5 million Morwell Regeneration Project, which also includes the redevelopment of Morwell Park Primary School.
Morwell Central Primary includes specialist learning spaces for arts and craft, media, and materials technology, an outdoor amphitheatre, a performing arts centre and gymnasium and a junior oval and sports field.
Mr Merlino and Ms Shing visited Commercial Road Primary School, which was officially opened as the new home for the Latrobe Valley Flexible Learning Option (FLO). The Latrobe Valley FLO is the area’s only alternative education option of its kind for local secondary school students at risk of disengaging from the education system.
They also turned the first sod at the nearby Korumburra Secondary College to mark the start of construction of stage one of a school rebuild. The $5.5 million stage one upgrade includes refurbishment of classrooms and the construction of a new learning hub featuring science, arts and technology areas and a canteen.
Morwell Central Primary School is one of 10 new schools to open in 2017. The Labor Government has delivered unprecedented investment to build and upgrade schools across the state to meet surging enrolments, as an extra 90,000 students enter the school system over the next five years.
There are now 42 new schools in the construction pipeline – including the 10 opening in 2017 – and more than 1000 upgrades under way across the state thanks to a $1.8 billion investment in infrastructure.
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 is supported to be their best.
Quote attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino
“It was inspiring to meet with staff and students today in Korumburra and Morwell. We are modernising, and upgrading schools right across the Latrobe Valley region so that every student has access to a first-rate school.”
Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Region Harriet Shing
“This is about creating bright futures for more Gippsland students and ensuring they have access to the state-of-the-art facilities they deserve.”
Quote attributable to Morwell Central Principal Justine Smyth
“As the former principal of Commercial Road Primary School, I have been closely involved in the planning of this school so it is exciting to be standing here today.”