BACK TO SCHOOL FOR MORE THAN A MILLION STUDENTS

More than one million students – including 84,000 preps – will return to classrooms this week across Victoria as 14 new schools open their doors as part of the Victorian Government’s school building boom.

Member for Yuroke, Ros Spence MP, today officially opened the new Keelonith Primary School and Gaayip-Yagila Primary School and welcomed their first students.

Keelonith Primary School has more than 130 students starting this year, including nearly 50 Prep students. The school’s facilities include a library and modern learning buildings with adaptable spaces. Students will also enjoy ample indoor and outdoor spaces to stay active – including a performing arts and physical education building with a competition-grade court, outdoor multipurpose courts, and a sports oval.

Gaayip-Yagila Primary School has an enrolment of 603 students, including nearly 200 Prep students. New students will be able to enjoy full use of two new learning neighbourhoods, a performing arts and physical education building, administration building, sports field and outdoor play courts among the new build.

Kindergartens have been built next door to both school. The Greenvale West Integrated Community Centre next to Keelonith Primary School has been operating since June 2020 with spaces for 198 four-year-olds. The first room for kinder at Gaayip-Yagila Primary School will open next month, with the second room opening in April 2021. The kindergarten will have places for 132 four-year-olds and 132 three-year-olds.

Every new Victorian primary school opening from 2021 will have a kindergarten on-site or next door, reducing the burden on parents and ending the dreaded double drop off. This includes all 10 primary schools opening this year.

Keelonith Primary School and Gaayip-Yagila Primary School are among 14 new schools opening in 2021.

In the past five years, the Victorian Government has invested more than $9 billion in more than 1,600 school upgrades – creating more than 10,000 construction jobs.

The Government is now ahead of schedule on its commitment to open 100 new schools by 2026, with 48 new schools opening between 2019 and 2022.

For more information on the Victorian Government’s school building boom, visit www.schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino

“The first day of school is a big day every year – but particularly after the year we had last year. I thank every teacher, student and parent for their efforts last year and wish them well for the year ahead.”

“We’re building new schools across the state so every child has a great local school and a best start in life – wherever they live.”

Quote attributable to Member for Yuroke Ros Spence

“We’re building more new schools than any other state, anywhere else in the country – that’s good for children in Yuroke and their education, and it’s good for jobs.”

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