Minister for Education James Merlino today officially opened the new Early Years Centre and Dream Space garden at Sussex Heights Primary School.
The Early Years Centre, for use by students in Prep to Year Two, is a collaborative learning space the school created by refurbishing an old storage building.
The Centre features fantastical elements to engage students in their play and learning, including an indoor tree large enough for kids to sit inside.
The Dream Space creates a stimulating outdoor learning environment for students to use both during class time and play time. The space combines natural elements with play equipment, including a balcony for school performances, garden beds and a gigantic stone snake.
Students were involved throughout the development of the Dream Space: from the planning and design stages through to planting out the garden beds with native plants.
The Early Years Centre and Dream Space are the latest projects in the modernisation of the school’s facilities. The Victorian Government contributed $130,000 to the projects.
The 2015-16 Victorian Budget invests close to $4 billion in Victoria’s education and skills system – representing the single biggest boost to education funding in Victoria’s history.
The Budget provides $325 million to renovate, refurbish or rebuild 67 schools. It will fund the first stage of an extensive asbestos removal program so that families can be assured their children are being educated in safe schools.
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.
For Victoria to become the Education State, it is vital that all Victorians join in the Education State consultation and share their ideas and aspirations for our education system.
Head to to join in the conversation.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino
“These new facilities will be a great asset for Sussex Heights Primary and the local community.”
“We’re investing more than $4 billion to make Victoria the Education State, so every community has a great local school and every child gets the chance to succeed.”
“I commend Sussex Heights Primary on taking an innovative, student-involved approach to design. Both the Early Years Centre and Dream Space will help students to engage and learn.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020