School shambles
SECONDARY colleges are still waiting for state funding to provide urgently needed new buildings, as a new school year resumes.
A petition has been launched calling for the State Government to provide $9 million to Korumburra Secondary College to upgrade outdated buildings.
Wonthaggi Secondary College desperately seeks a new senior campus as part of the Bass Coast Education Precinct.
Leongatha Secondary College is hopeful of funding to demolish old buildings and erect a new administration complex to be shared with Leongatha Primary School.
A spokesperson for the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development said the government would consider the schools for funding, adding the government was committed to funding new schools and school upgrades.
“Funding for these as well as additional school upgrades will be considered as part of future budget deliberations,” he said.
The former Coalition State Government promised $1.25 million to continue the upgrade of Leongatha Secondary College if re-elected.
An announcement about that funding could be made within two to three weeks.
The Star’s sources said negotiations were underway and an announcement might be imminent about the funding the school needs to demolish superseded school buildings, which are deteriorating within college grounds.
In 2011, the State Government provided $10 million for new school buildings. These were completed in March 2014, but the funding fell short, leaving the community to raise funds to remove the defunct buildings.
Principal Wayne Chester did not wish to comment.
Eastern Victoria Region MLC Danny O’Brien is calling on the State Government to fund a badly needed redevelopment of Korumburra Secondary College.
The former Coalition Government allocated $5.6 million from last year’s state budget to complete a master plan and begin initial works.
During the election campaign the coalition pledged an additional $9 million to the rebuild, if re-elected.
“Korumburra Secondary College desperately needs this funding to rebuild its ageing and deteriorating buildings. Many of the school buildings were built in the 1950s and are literally crumbling,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Despite the best efforts of the teachers and staff at the school, it’s not a conducive environment for students to learn in. I urge the Labor Government not to forget our regional schools and continue with the coalition’s plan for the redevelopment.”
The Nationals MP has drawn up a petition which calls on Labor to fund the college rebuild as a matter of priority.
“I urge all local residents to sign this petition and show the Labor Government how important this project is to ensuring our students can achieve their best educational outcomes,” Mr O’Brien said.
The petition will be available to sign at local businesses and Mr O’Brien’s offices at 36a Bair Street, Leongatha and 181 Franklin Street, Traralgon.
KSC principal Abigail Graham was in Melbourne last week viewing the presentations of the four architectural firms who tendered for the job funded in the 2014-2015 budget.
Ms Graham said she would love a whole new school but the community had to work with the money that has been budgeted.
“If the community wants to agitate for more money and a new school, I am not going to stand in its way,” she said.
BREAKOUT
Minister to hear case
for Wonthaggi school
by Tayla Kershaw
WONTHAGGI Secondary College leaders will meet with Victorian Education Minister James Merlino this Thursday to discuss the prospect of funding for a new senior campus.
In November, the previous Coalition Government promised the college $21 million towards a new school site in McKenzie Street.
College principal Garry Dennis and McBride campus principal Darren Parker will be meeting with Mr Merlino and Bass MLA Brian Paynter to discuss possible funding opportunities on Thursday.
“Brian Paynter has said he believes the decision should be non-party political,” Mr Dennis said.
“He believes the need is demonstrated. We will continue to lobbying with key personnel to push our cause.”
The school now holds 1250 students across the two campuses, with enrolments peaking this year.
Both campuses are facing problems with space and outdated facilities.
“Our facilities are old but well maintained,” Mr Dennis said.
“We are happy with the way the facilities are kept in good shape. Unfortunately, however, it is not ideal for the 21st century.”
SECONDARY colleges are still waiting for state funding to provide urgently needed new buildings, as a new school year resumes.
A petition has been launched calling for the State Government to provide $9 million to Korumburra Secondary College to upgrade outdated buildings.
Wonthaggi Secondary College desperately seeks a new senior campus as part of the Bass Coast Education Precinct.
Leongatha Secondary College is hopeful of funding to demolish old buildings and erect a new administration complex to be shared with Leongatha Primary School.
A spokesperson for the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development said the government would consider the schools for funding, adding the government was committed to funding new schools and school upgrades.
“Funding for these as well as additional school upgrades will be considered as part of future budget deliberations,” he said.
The former Coalition State Government promised $1.25 million to continue the upgrade of Leongatha Secondary College if re-elected.
An announcement about that funding could be made within two to three weeks.
The Star’s sources said negotiations were underway and an announcement might be imminent about the funding the school needs to demolish superseded school buildings, which are deteriorating within college grounds.
In 2011, the State Government provided $10 million for new school buildings. These were completed in March 2014, but the funding fell short, leaving the community to raise funds to remove the defunct buildings.
Principal Wayne Chester did not wish to comment.
Eastern Victoria Region MLC Danny O’Brien is calling on the State Government to fund a badly needed redevelopment of Korumburra Secondary College.
The former Coalition Government allocated $5.6 million from last year’s state budget to complete a master plan and begin initial works.
During the election campaign the coalition pledged an additional $9 million to the rebuild, if re-elected.
“Korumburra Secondary College desperately needs this funding to rebuild its ageing and deteriorating buildings. Many of the school buildings were built in the 1950s and are literally crumbling,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Despite the best efforts of the teachers and staff at the school, it’s not a conducive environment for students to learn in. I urge the Labor Government not to forget our regional schools and continue with the coalition’s plan for the redevelopment.”
The Nationals MP has drawn up a petition which calls on Labor to fund the college rebuild as a matter of priority.
“I urge all local residents to sign this petition and show the Labor Government how important this project is to ensuring our students can achieve their best educational outcomes,” Mr O’Brien said.
The petition will be available to sign at local businesses and Mr O’Brien’s offices at 36a Bair Street, Leongatha and 181 Franklin Street, Traralgon.
KSC principal Abigail Graham was in Melbourne last week viewing the presentations of the four architectural firms who tendered for the job funded in the 2014-2015 budget.
Ms Graham said she would love a whole new school but the community had to work with the money that has been budgeted.
“If the community wants to agitate for more money and a new school, I am not going to stand in its way,” she said.
Minister to hear case
for Wonthaggi school
by Tayla Kershaw
WONTHAGGI Secondary College leaders will meet with Victorian Education Minister James Merlino this Thursday to discuss the prospect of funding for a new senior campus.
In November, the previous Coalition Government promised the college $21 million towards a new school site in McKenzie Street.
College principal Garry Dennis and McBride campus principal Darren Parker will be meeting with Mr Merlino and Bass MLA Brian Paynter to discuss possible funding opportunities on Thursday.
“Brian Paynter has said he believes the decision should be non-party political,” Mr Dennis said.
“He believes the need is demonstrated. We will continue to lobbying with key personnel to push our cause.”
The school now holds 1250 students across the two campuses, with enrolments peaking this year.
Both campuses are facing problems with space and outdated facilities.
“Our facilities are old but well maintained,” Mr Dennis said.
“We are happy with the way the facilities are kept in good shape. Unfortunately, however, it is not ideal for the 21st century.”
The secluded classrooms are small and do not allow for the added benefits of interacting with more than one teacher, and enrolments are rising.
Wonthaggi Secondary College has outgrown its two hectare site in McBride Avenue and the Dudley Campus is not far behind.
“The young people of Bass Coast deserve this opportunity. It is very much overdue,” Mr Dennis said.
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